This project, using a special-permission dataset from the Ministry of Education combined with PISA 2022 data, examines the impact of youth mental health and socio-emotional skills on academic achievement among over 5,000 secondary students across Aotearoa New Zealand. The study captures diverse student experiences and backgrounds, offering insights into how school climate and student-teacher relationships influence social and emotional skills, mental health, and academic performance.

We are prioritising two studies: one exploring the relationship between adolescents' perceptions of their school environment and their socio-emotional skills, mental health, and academic outcomes. The second study will investigate how the ability to openly communicate about worries affects the connection between socio-emotional skills and mental health, while considering the influence of demographic factors such as gender and ethnic identity.

Any questions? Contact Valerie at valerie.sotardi@canterbury.ac.nz.