School climate, peer relationships, and adolescent mental health: a social ecological perspective

Long, E. , Zucca, C. and Sweeting, H. (2021) School climate, peer relationships, and adolescent mental health: a social ecological perspective. Youth and Society, 53(8), pp. 1400-1415. (doi: 10.1177/0044118X20970232)

Abstract

The current study investigated peer relationship and school climate factors associated with adolescent mental health. Cross-sectional data from 2571 fifteen-year old students in 22 Scottish secondary schools was used. Multilevel models tested for school differences in mental health, and nested linear regression models estimated peer and school effects. Results demonstrated no significant between-school variation in mental health. Peer victimization was the only peer effect associated with mental health. School-belonging, student-teacher relationships, and a perceived inclusive school climate were associated with better mental health, whereas a perceived school climate of exam pressure was associated with worse mental health. The findings highlight multiple aspects of school climate that could be targeted in school-based interventions for adolescent mental health.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Long, Dr Emily and Zucca, Dr Claudia and Sweeting, Dr Helen
• Authors: Long, E., Zucca, C., and Sweeting, H.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Social Scientists working in Health and Wellbeing
• Journal Name: Youth and Society
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• ISSN: 0044-118X
• ISSN (Online): 1552-8499
• Published Online: 04 November 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Youth and Society 53(8): 1400-1415
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
302716		MRC Skills Development Fellowship Programme	Jill Pell	Medical Research Council (MRC)	MR/S015078/1	S&PS - Administration
72763	1	Social Relationships & Health Improvement	Lisa McDaid	Medical Research Council (MRC)	MC_UU_12017/11	HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit
72766	1	Complexity in Health Improvement	Laurence Moore	Medical Research Council (MRC)	MC_UU_12017/14	HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit
72764	1	Understanding and Improving Health within Settings and Organisations	Kathryn Hunt	Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSO)	SPHSU12	HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit
72763	1	Social Relationships & Health Improvement	Lisa McDaid	Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSO)	SPHSU11	HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit
72766	1	Complexity in Health Improvement	Laurence Moore	Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSO)	SPHSU14	HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit