Thesis
Towards Understanding Wellbeing: Boys’ Perspectives from a Single-sex School
Masters by Research, Murdoch University
2024
Abstract
In order to support student wellbeing, over the past two decades an increasing number of schools have implemented programs informed by positive education philosophy. Whilst the efficacy of positive education has been researched, little attention has been given specifically to the impact of positive education programs on wellbeing in single-sex boys’ schools. This qualitative study explored wellbeing perceptions of middle school students at a faith-based single sex boys’ school, along with the impact of the School’s wellbeing program. Participants included 18 middle-school students from Years 6, 7, and 8 at a critical formative stage of their development. The research explored from the student’s experience, how they defined wellbeing, what factors influenced their wellbeing, and insights regarding the efficacy of the existing School's wellbeing program. A thematic analysis was used to identify themes and enabled conclusions to be drawn from the data.
The study revealed that boys in the School defined wellbeing with increasing complexity over time, and identified the most significant impacting factors on their wellbeing as connections to peers and staff, with academic workload and School environment also salient. Additionally, the study suggested the School’s wellbeing programs could be improved by including more practical activities, ensuring age-appropriate content, and encouraging greater student involvement in planning and delivery. The study refined understanding of boys’ wellbeing, and offers opportunities to enhance boys’ wellbeing programs leading to more positive wellbeing outcomes for boys in middle school, single-sex educational settings. These insights enable a movement beyond stereotypical expectations and pressures on boys, and reduces the possible long-term outcome of alienated and disaffected boys from the single-sex school system.
Details
- Title
- Towards Understanding Wellbeing: Boys’ Perspectives from a Single-sex School
- Authors/Creators
- Michael Day
- Contributors
- Peter Wright PhD (Supervisor) - Murdoch University, School of EducationDr Genevieve McSporran (Supervisor) - Murdoch University, School of Education
- Awarding Institution
- Murdoch University; Masters by Research
- Identifiers
- 991005753936007891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Education
- Resource Type
- Thesis
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