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

• 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
• Subjects: Upper secondary school; school dropout; high north; youth; health promotion; Public Health; Global Health; Social Medicine and Epidemiology; Folkhälsovetenskap; global hälsa; socialmedicin och epidemiologi; Norway; Circumpolar Health; Finnmark; International Journal of Circumpolar Health
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:miun:diva-32637; https://doi.org/10.1080/22423982.2017.1421369

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.