Abstract

School-Based Influences on Students Mental Health: Components of the KidsMatter Initiative

Author(s)

Helen Askell-Williams -Flinders University

Dr Katherine Dix -Flinders University

Prof Slee Phillip -Flinders University

Prof Russell Alan -Flinders University

Prof Michael Lawson -Flinders University

The KidsMatter Mental Health Promotion and Early Intervention Pilot

Initiative (KMI) was rolled out across 100 Australian schools in 2007-2008. The evaluation targeted a stratified random sample of 76 students in each of the 100 schools.

The  KMI focussed upon four components of school-based influence, namely, developing a positive school community; regularly teaching social and emotional learning skills to all students; providing parenting information and support; and early intervention for students considered to be at risk of social, emotional or behavioural 
difficulties. An extensive evaluation of the impact of the KMI was undertaken using four major data sources.

Questionnaires concerned with the implementation of the initiative and with judgements of students' mental health status were completed on multiple occasions by teachers and parents/caregivers. Regular reports by project officers involved in the KMI provided a second source of data. Toward the end of the project interviews were conducted with students, teachers and parents in 10% of the schools. Summary reports from school leaders constituted the final data source.

In this report we discuss findings from our analysis of the questionnaire data. The analysis focuses on the four key components of the KMI conceptual model and their relationships to student mental health outcomes using structural equation modelling with asymptotic distribution-free (ADF) estimation to take into account the non-parametric (highly skewed) nature of the data. Recommendations for policy and practice concerning mental health promotion initiatives in schools are made.