A Qualitative Investigation of Factors that Influence School Employee Health Behaviors: Implications for Wellness Programming

• Published in: The Journal of school health 2019-11, Vol.89 (11), p.890-898
• Main Authors: Schultz, Nicole S., Chui, Kenneth K.H., Economos, Christina D., Lichtenstein, Alice H., Volpe, Stella L., Sacheck, Jennifer M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Academic achievement; child & adolescent health; Corporate culture; Desire; Eating Habits; Elementary Education; Elementary Schools; Employee Attitudes; employee health promotion; Employees; Focus Groups; Health Behavior; Health information; Health Promotion; Health status; Healthy food; Healthy habits; Knowledge Level; Nursing; nutrition & diet; Occupational health; Organizational aspects; Organizational Culture; Physical fitness; physical fitness & sport; program planning; Programming; Role Models; School employees; School Personnel; Schools; Social development; Social Networks; Social organization; Stress Variables; Teenagers; Wellness
• ISSN: 0022-4391; 1746-1561
• DOI: 10.1111/josh.12831

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Employee health promotion in the elementary school setting can support students' health and academic success. School employees can serve as role models, yet evidence suggests poor health in this population. We identified factors that influence school employee health behaviors to inform subsequent development of employee wellness programs. METHODS Focus groups (10 groups, total N = 62) and interviews (N = 5) were conducted with school employees. Participants were recruited from schools in socioeconomically disadvantaged, racially diverse districts in Massachusetts. We used a socioecological framework to identify multi‐level factors that influence employee health behaviors. Factors were characterized as supports (+) or barriers (−) to health‐promoting behaviors. RESULTS Eight themes highlighted the importance of an organizational culture that sustains successful employee wellness programming. Intrapersonal themes included: High Stress (+/−), Desire to Adopt Healthy Behaviors (+), and Sufficient Health Knowledge (+). Interpersonal themes included: Strong Social Network (+) and a Desire to Role Model (+). Organizational themes included: Demanding Job (−), Lack of Wellness Culture (−), and Unhealthy Food (−). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that this population would be receptive to wellness programming. Promising strategies include supporting a dedicated wellness champion and creating recognizable top down wellness support for employees.