In a recent study conducted by Rutgers University-New Brunswick, researchers found that school connectedness plays a crucial role in shaping the long-term mental health of Black adolescents. The degree to which students feel part of their school community not only affects their academic performance but also serves as a protective factor against depression and aggressive behavior later in life.
Adrian Gale, lead author of the study and an assistant professor in the Rutgers School of Social Work, emphasizes the significance of school experiences for Black adolescents’ mental health. The data gathered by the researchers provide strong evidence supporting the idea that school connectedness has a profound impact on their well-being.
While the benefits of school connectedness have long been recognized in terms of youth well-being and physical health outcomes, most research has focused on White adolescents. There is limited research exploring the relationship between school connectedness and mental health among Black youth. To address this gap, Gale and Lenna Nepomnyaschy, an associate professor in the Rutgers School of Social Work, analyzed longitudinal data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS). The FFCWS is a population-based birth cohort study that has been tracking children born in major U.S. cities between 1998 and 2000.
From the total cohort of almost 5,000 children included in the FFCWS, the researchers identified 1,688 Black or African American individuals who were interviewed at ages 9 and 15. The primary caregivers of these participants were also interviewed at the 15-year follow-up.
At age 9, the participants were asked about their level of connectedness to school by rating the frequency with which they felt part of their school, close to people at their school, happy to be at their school, and safe at school. Six years later, caregivers were asked about their children’s propensity for aggressive behaviors, and the youth themselves reported their experiences of depression.
Using this data, the researchers employed linear regression models to control for variables that could influence the association between school connectedness, depression, and aggressive behaviors. Factors such as family characteristics, mother’s education, neighborhood characteristics, and perceived neighborhood disorder were taken into account.
Even after considering these variables, the researchers found evidence suggesting that early school connectedness can reduce depressive symptoms and aggressive behaviors later in life. The impact was particularly pronounced among girls. These findings emphasize that when Black children feel connected to their school at a young age, they are less likely to experience depressive symptoms and engage in aggressive behavior during adolescence.
According to Gale, these findings have significant implications for school districts across the country and should be viewed as evidence supporting increased school funding. He emphasizes that school connectedness is all about the relationships individuals have within the school environment. By improving the quality of these relationships through measures such as funding for smaller class sizes, schools can enhance school connectedness, leading to improved student outcomes.
In conclusion, the study highlights the importance of school connectedness for the mental health of Black adolescents. By fostering a sense of belonging and support within the school community, educators and policymakers can positively influence the long-term well-being of these students.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
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