Implementing health-promoting activities in diverse primary school contexts in the Netherlands
Practical lessons learnt
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21600939 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Marla T H Hahnraths (0000-0002-8049-448X, Maastricht University, corresponding author), Maartje Willeboordse (0000-0002-9695-9755, Mulier Institute), Onno C P Van Schayck (0000-0002-3016-1476, Maastricht University) |
| Year | 2023 |
| Volume | 123 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 55-72 |
| Publication date | 2023-08-10 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Health Education (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0965-4283 • E-ISSN: 1758-714X |
| Publisher | Emerald (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1108/he-10-2022-0080 |
| OpenAlex | W4377024276 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 28 |
Purpose To gain insight into factors enhancing or obstructing implementation in various school-settings, which is vital for widespread dissemination and sustainable integration of school-based health-promoting interventions. Design/methodology/approach A mixed methods multisite comparative case study to investigate (factors influencing) the implementation of health-promoting activities in twelve Dutch primary schools. Data were collected during three school years (2019–2022) through observations, questionnaires and interviews. Findings The project resulted in the implementation of small, incidental activities. Important reasons for the limited implementation were lack of commitment and bottom-up involvement. School directors and teachers were not involved early on in the project, which limited project support and commitment. On school level, directors largely carried project responsibility themselves, hindering project sustainability and integration. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) made that schools had difficulties forming long-term visions and plans. Other observed barriers included limited perceived necessity to change, high workload and high staff turnover. Important facilitators were the presence of a process coordinator and sharing experiences from other schools. Originality/value This research provided valuable insights into (factors influencing) the implementation of health-promoting initiatives in diverse, real-world school contexts. More extensive support is needed to create commitment, bottom-up involvement and a project vision. Furthermore, empowering in-school champions and/or school-wide project groups is desirable to decrease schools' dependence on long-term external support. The findings can be used by various stakeholders throughout development, adoption and implementation and can facilitate widespread dissemination and sustainable integration of school-based health-promoting interventions
Business · Medical education · Originality · Political science · Psychological intervention · Public relations · Qualitative research · Sociology · Sustainability · Vision · Community Health and Development · Health, psychology, and well-being · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · School Health and Nursing Education
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Effectiveness of school-based interventions in Europe to promote healthy nutrition in children and adolescents
Narrative review of models and success factors for scaling up public health interventions
Process evaluation of complex interventions
Building community capacity to stimulate physical activity and dietary behavior in Dutch secondary schools
The Healthy Primary School of the Future
The Healthy Primary School of the Future
Implementation of health promotion programmes in schools
Process evaluation of the Healthy Primary School of the Future
Evaluation of a school-based participatory intervention to improve school environments using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research
Implementation Matters
Using thematic analysis in psychology
Schools as social complex adaptive systems
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |