School-related health - A cross-sectional study among young boys and girls

The authors analyze the association between psychosocial factors in the sch ool environment and pupils' health and self-worth in a sample of 538 pupils (264 girls and 274 boys) in the third and the sixth grades. High control i n combination with low demand at school was associated with the best health status in relation to somatic problems, stress, tiredness, and feelings of self-worth. In a multiple regression analysis, problems in relations with classmates were the most recurrent psychosocial factor associated with ill- health. Some gender differences were found in school-related health. Lack o f control at school affected self-worth among girls only. In the third grad e and among boys in the sixth grade, high demands were an explanatory facto r for the health outcome. Foreign background, divorced parents, high achiev ement, and low relational orientation, as well as disorderly and rowdy clas ses, were also of importance for somatic ill-health and stress among girls. Older girls became more relationally oriented, while boys became more achi evement-oriented. The authors conclude that the pupils' somatic health and self-worth were affected by psychosocial factors at school, even when adjus tment was made for social background.