researchers believe that it has. 303 The progressive philosophy of education, which had a breakthrough in the Swedish school during the second half of the 20th century, with a focus on joy, school democracy, and student-led teaching, has also been highlighted by other researchers 304. Success in schoolwork is an important health promotion.
Knowledge gaps and concerns •
Studies of trends in different indicators of physical and mental health among school-age children and the possible relationships with trends in school achievement are needed in the Nordic countries. Methodological research is required to further explore what influences the observed changes, including the increase in mental health symptoms and complaints among adolescents and especially among girls.
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All health-related studies to understand the trends in physical and mental health need to include gender and socioeconomic status.
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Studies of the relationship between physical and mental health and school achievement are needed from the Nordic countries. These must be longitudinal or intervention studies in order to elucidate the web of causes behind the relationships. Studies using other designs may add to the knowledge base, especially trend studies using repeated cross-sectional designs. Another strong approach would be a longitudinal design with a cohort of children where data on health, school achievement, and other relevant factors is collected every three years. Modern big data procedures would enable researchers to use national data, given proper ethical and logistic concerns.
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Studies of the consequences of physical and mental diseases are needed, especially with regard to long-term impact on school achievement, educational trajectory, and working life.
Henrekson, M. (Ed.). (2017). Kunskapssynen och pedagogiken. Varför skolan slutade leverera och hur det kan åtgärdas [The view of knowledge and pedagogy. Why the school stopped delivering and how it can be rectified]. Stockholm: Dialogos. 304 Heller-Sahlgren, G., & Sanandaji, N. (2019). Glädjeparadoxen. Historien om skolans uppgång, fall och möjliga upprättelse [Joy paradox. The history of the school’s rise, fall and possible restitution]. Stockholm: Dialogos förlag. 303
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