The wellbeing of children and adolescents has become a major topic in public and educational debate. At the same time, existing evidence presents a complex picture: most students report relatively high levels of wellbeing, while some groups experience considerably greater challenges. One limitation of much existing research is that it focuses on population averages or measures wellbeing at a single point in time. This makes it difficult to distinguish temporary fluctuations in wellbeing from persistently low wellbeing across several years.
Beyond the Snapshot: Identifying Persistent Low Wellbeing among Danish Students therefore takes a longitudinal approach by following the same students across multiple school years. The project uses data from the Danish National Wellbeing Survey from 2015 onwards and links these data with national registers held by Statistics Denmark. This makes it possible to study emotional, social and academic wellbeing while also incorporating information on socioeconomic background, absenteeism, academic performance, gender and ethnicity, as well as school- and class-level characteristics.
The project will examine how many students experience persistently low wellbeing, which distinct wellbeing trajectories can be identified, and which individual and school-level factors are associated with an increased risk of persistent low wellbeing. By making use of Denmarkâs unique possibilities for linking survey and register data at the individual level, the project aims to generate new knowledge about which students require sustained support and how educational interventions can be targeted more precisely.
