PSYCHO-SOCIAL SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT IN ARMY PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF RAWALPINDI, PAKISTAN – A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Objective: To assess the psychosocial environment for improvement of child mental health services in Army Public Schools of Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Army Public School, Forte Road Rawalpindi, from Mar to Aug, 2018

Material and Methods: Following strict inclusion criteria, organizational stakeholders in education department i.e. school administrators (principals and vice principals), school staff and parents were given the questionnaire. This cross-sectional study involved assessing the Psycho-social school environment and various sociodemographic correlates in an Army Public School of Rawalpindi. Universal sampling approach was used to recruit the administrators while simple random lottery method was used to recruit teachers and parents. WHO psycho-social environment profile questionnaire was used and filled by each participant.

Results: A sample of 210 was obtained in which frequency of managers was 16 (8%), teachers 130 (62%) and parents 64 (30%). School scored higher average score in three quality areas, forbidding physical punishment violence, not tolerating bullying, harassment and discrimination and connecting school homelife involving parents.

Conclusion: There is a need to improve quality area of providing friendly, rewarding and supportive atmosphere in school, cooperative and active learning and valuing development of creative activities.