Journal article
A Qualitative Investigation of Factors that Influence School Employee Health Behaviors: Implications for Wellness Programming
The Journal of school health, v 89(11), pp 890-898
01 Nov 2019
PMID: 31495932
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
BACKGROUND Employee health promotion in the elementary school setting can support students' health and academic success. School employees can serve as role models, yet evidence suggests poor health in this population. We identified factors that influence school employee health behaviors to inform subsequent development of employee wellness programs. METHODS Focus groups (10 groups, total N = 62) and interviews (N = 5) were conducted with school employees. Participants were recruited from schools in socioeconomically disadvantaged, racially diverse districts in Massachusetts. We used a socioecological framework to identify multi-level factors that influence employee health behaviors. Factors were characterized as supports (+) or barriers (-) to health-promoting behaviors. RESULTS Eight themes highlighted the importance of an organizational culture that sustains successful employee wellness programming. Intrapersonal themes included: High Stress (+/-), Desire to Adopt Healthy Behaviors (+), and Sufficient Health Knowledge (+). Interpersonal themes included: Strong Social Network (+) and a Desire to Role Model (+). Organizational themes included: Demanding Job (-), Lack of Wellness Culture (-), and Unhealthy Food (-). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that this population would be receptive to wellness programming. Promising strategies include supporting a dedicated wellness champion and creating recognizable top down wellness support for employees.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- A Qualitative Investigation of Factors that Influence School Employee Health Behaviors: Implications for Wellness Programming
- Creators
- Nicole S. Schultz - Tufts UniversityKenneth K. H. Chui - Tufts Univ, Sch Med, Dept Publ Hlth & Community Med, 136 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02111 USAChristina D. Economos - Tufts UniversityAlice H. Lichtenstein - Tufts UniversityStella L. Volpe - Drexel UniversityJennifer M. Sacheck - Milken Institute
- Publication Details
- The Journal of school health, v 89(11), pp 890-898
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Number of pages
- 9
- Grant note
- R01HD080180 / NIH Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD) Boston Nutrition Obesity Research Center (BNORC) R01HD080180 / EUNICE KENNEDY SHRIVER NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Nutrition Sciences
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000488975300004
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85071947760
- Other Identifier
- 991019167662504721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: SDGs in the Output
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Education & Educational Research
- Education, Scientific Disciplines
- Health Care Sciences & Services
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health