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Teachers become healthier when they learn

Date:
March 2, 2015
Source:
University West
Summary:
Several studies have indicated a connection between learning and health. Researchers have now found that the health of school teachers is related to their level of work integrated learning.
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Several studies have indicated a connection between learning and health. In a recently published study from University West and Linnaeus University the researchers found that the health of school teachers is related to their level of work integrated learning.

A random sample of 229 teachers at 20 schools in Västra Götaland responded to a questionnaire which included previously tested measures of health, quality and work integrated learning. The resulting data showed a highly significant statistical correlation between the measures.

This indicates that in order to be healthy, teachers need not only teach -- they must also learn and develop themselves. An ultimate state of learning is characterised by a sensation of flow, which has been described by researchers as a state of complete immersion in an activity in a way that is maximally effective while at the same time highly enjoyable. In the study, was also tested the relationship between an operationalised measure of flow and the health of the teachers and again there were a strong correlation.

According to Yvonne Lagrosen, Associate Professor in Quality Management at University West, a sense of flow implies that the workload is perceived as lower.

"Doing something that you are interested in, gives you a positive stimulation and the workload seems less high. At the same time, the challenge cannot be too big, there must be a balance between the demands an your own control of your work situation.

"What this research indicates is that to be healthy, we need to constantly learn and develop, in our profession and as people. If we enjoy our work to the extent that we are completely absorbed in it, as in the state of flow, we should have the optimal possibilities for a healthy influence from our work. So find a job that you really enjoy and make sure that you learn and develop at it," said Yvonne Lagrosen.

The study was conducted by Yvonne Lagrosen and her fellow researcher and husband Stefan Lagrosen, former researcher at University West, now Professor in Business Administration at Linneaus University.


Story Source:

Materials provided by University West. Original written by Stefan Lagrosen. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Stefan Lagrosen, Yvonne Lagrosen. Work integrated learning for employee health in schools. International Journal of Quality and Service Sciences, 2014; 6 (4): 387 DOI: 10.1108/IJQSS-09-2012-0015

Cite This Page:

University West. "Teachers become healthier when they learn." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 2 March 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/03/150302071018.htm>.
University West. (2015, March 2). Teachers become healthier when they learn. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/03/150302071018.htm
University West. "Teachers become healthier when they learn." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/03/150302071018.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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