A photovoice study of school belongingness among high school students in Norway

Although high school graduation is important for living conditions and health throughoutlife, many students do not complete. In Norway’s northern most county, Finnmark, up to 45% of students do not complete high school. Contrary to prior research that has primarilyfocused on causes for dropout, this...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International Journal of Circumpolar Health
Main Authors: Lieblein, Vaiva Sunniva Deraas, Warne, Maria, Huot, Suzanne, Rudman, Debbie Laliberte, Raanaas, Ruth Kersti
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Mittuniversitetet, Avdelningen för hälsovetenskap 2018
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Online Access:http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:miun:diva-32637
https://doi.org/10.1080/22423982.2017.1421369
Description
Summary:Although high school graduation is important for living conditions and health throughoutlife, many students do not complete. In Norway’s northern most county, Finnmark, up to 45% of students do not complete high school. Contrary to prior research that has primarilyfocused on causes for dropout, this study’s aim was to deepen understanding of factors thatsupport high school attendance. A strengths-based participatory approach using photovoiceaddressed attendance factors as perceived by seven participating students from one highschool in Finnmark. Qualitative content analysis of data generated through group dialogueabout participant-generated photos and individual interviews identified six factors importantfor students’ school attendance: a supportive school environment, a good learningenvironment, recuperation and recreation, family and friends, goals and ambitions, andplace attachment. Related aspects of a supportive environment and belongingness, where school staff made important contributions to promoting a positive environment, were essential.