Depression and anxiety are major issues facing young Australians. A recent nationwide youth survey found that 1 in 16 young Australians (or 180,000 people) currently experience depression and 1 in 6 currently experience an anxiety condition (440,000) (ABS, 2008, p 29). In 2013, almost one in four young people (24.3 percent) said they were sad, very sad or not happy when asked to report how happy they were with their life as a whole (Mission Australia, 2013, p. 25).
At The Scots College, our holistic philosophy of education means we take seriously the challenges these statistics present for caring for each boy. Accordingly, in 2014 the College commenced participation in a small-scale study of Year 7 students across six schools, conducted by researchers from The University of Sydney and directed by the College's Counselling Department. The voluntary study asked boys to answer a range of questions regarding depression, self-esteem, self-perception, anxiety and friendships. Students responded to statements such as "I worry a lot" and "I am nervous in new situations, I lose confidence easily", or "I like to spend time with my friends" and "I am really understood by my friends".
The interim report indicates that, on all measures, the Scots boys involved in the study demonstrated slightly lower than average incidences of depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. Lead researcher Catherine Gittins concluded that the boys "demonstrated a level of psychological wellbeing that would be expected from children of their age". This study will continue in 2015 with the same cohort as they move into Year 8, and will be extended to include the new Year 7 cohort. This valuable research helps the College provide the best possible pastoral care for each boy and prepare them well for the challenges of life beyond Scots.
For more information on this study, please contact Mr Matthew Pfeiffer in the Counselling Department on 9391 7600 or m.pfeiffer@tsc.nsw.edu.au.
At The Scots College, our holistic philosophy of education means we take seriously the challenges these statistics present for caring for each boy. Accordingly, in 2014 the College commenced participation in a small-scale study of Year 7 students across six schools, conducted by researchers from The University of Sydney and directed by the College's Counselling Department. The voluntary study asked boys to answer a range of questions regarding depression, self-esteem, self-perception, anxiety and friendships. Students responded to statements such as "I worry a lot" and "I am nervous in new situations, I lose confidence easily", or "I like to spend time with my friends" and "I am really understood by my friends".
The interim report indicates that, on all measures, the Scots boys involved in the study demonstrated slightly lower than average incidences of depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. Lead researcher Catherine Gittins concluded that the boys "demonstrated a level of psychological wellbeing that would be expected from children of their age". This study will continue in 2015 with the same cohort as they move into Year 8, and will be extended to include the new Year 7 cohort. This valuable research helps the College provide the best possible pastoral care for each boy and prepare them well for the challenges of life beyond Scots.
For more information on this study, please contact Mr Matthew Pfeiffer in the Counselling Department on 9391 7600 or m.pfeiffer@tsc.nsw.edu.au.
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