EXPLORING FAMILY INVOLVEMENT IN COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL HEALTH

Abstract

A health promoting school plans and acts towards providing a healthy school environment through healthy initiatives and engaging with stakeholders in health, education, government, community, families, students and staff within a comprehensive framework known as comprehensive school health. Students attending such a school have increased academic success, better diet quality and increased physical activity levels. The involvement of families is a valuable aspect of comprehensive school health; with greater involvement the potential is there to improve its success. This research used interpretive phenomenology within a constructivist paradigm. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight individuals caring for a child in Grade 4, 5, or 6 in a Nova Scotia elementary school. These interviews were analyzed to gain a deeper understanding of family involvement. It was found that involvement was varied, the school community was an important facilitator, and that school leadership had an important role in fostering family involvement.