The Vital Role of School Belonging in Adolescent Mental Wellbeing

A groundbreaking study has recently uncovered the pivotal role that school belonging plays in molding the mental wellbeing of adolescents. School belonging, characterized by a positive outlook towards school, strong teacher-student relationships, and a sense of social value, has long been associated with immediate benefits for students’ mental health.

Conducted through a collaborative effort between Monash University, Deakin University, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, and the University of Melbourne, this research delved into the long-term mental health outcomes of school belonging during the transition to adulthood. The study, involving over 1,500 young adults as part of one of Australia’s longest running population-based studies, scrutinized the association between school belonging at the age of 15–16 and mental health symptoms at ages 19–20, 23–24, and 27–28.

Lead author Associate Professor Kelly-Ann Allen from Monash Faculty of Education emphasized that the findings underscore the significance of school belonging in influencing lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress in young adulthood. She stressed the need for sustained interventions and programs that go beyond the school environment to establish a robust foundation for positive engagement during the transition to adulthood.

According to Dr. Meredith O’Connor from Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, the timing of these findings is crucial, given the growing recognition by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) of belonging as a major trend in education to counteract increasing loneliness, social isolation, and mental health issues in numerous societies.

Professor Andrea Reupert from the Faculty of Education highlighted the potential for schools to serve as crucial sites for mental health prevention and promotion, particularly for vulnerable young people. She stated that promoting school belonging and student wellbeing may serve as protection against other vulnerabilities such as adverse home conditions.

The research underscores the significance of school belonging as an intervention target with lasting impacts on mental health. As schools and communities strive to address the challenges faced by today’s youth, focusing on initiatives that enhance students’ sense of acceptance and respect within the school environment becomes paramount.

The study’s findings open up new avenues for understanding and addressing mental health issues among adolescents, pointing towards the critical role schools play in shaping the mental wellbeing of future adults.