The Importance of School Leaders’ Attitudes and Health Literacy to the Implementation of a Health-Promoting Schools Approach

Simona Betschart (), Anita Sandmeier, Guri Skedsmo, Tina Hascher, Orkan Okan and Kevin Dadaczynski
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Simona Betschart: Institute for Research on Professions and Professional Learning, Schwyz University of Teacher Education, 6410 Goldau, Switzerland
Anita Sandmeier: Institute for Research on Professions and Professional Learning, Schwyz University of Teacher Education, 6410 Goldau, Switzerland
Guri Skedsmo: Institute for Research on Professions and Professional Learning, Schwyz University of Teacher Education, 6410 Goldau, Switzerland
Tina Hascher: Department of Research in School and Instruction, Institute of Educational Science, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
Orkan Okan: Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany
Kevin Dadaczynski: Department of Health Science, Fulda University of Applied Sciences, 36037 Fulda, Germany

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 22, 1-15

Abstract: Schools are considered as important settings for health education and the promotion of functioning, healthy people. Health-promoting schools (HPS) take a holistic approach to health promotion that addresses all school levels and members of the school community. Although it is assumed that school leaders are crucial in the implementation of HPS, little is known so far about which specific factors are relevant. The purpose of this study was to analyze the role of school leaders’ attitudes, health literacy, and health status in HPS implementation. An online survey was conducted in June 2021, and the final sample consisted of N = 358 school leaders. Regression and moderation analyses were conducted to answer the research questions. The results showed the relevance of health literacy and attitudes toward HPS for the implementation of HPS. By contrast, only some aspects of health status are relevant. Attitudes toward HPS moderate the effect of health literacy on HPS implementation, with positive attitudes toward HPS amplifying the effect. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.

Keywords: health-promoting school; health literacy; school leaders; attitudes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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