Levels of wellbeing, resilience, and physical activity amongst Irish pre-service teachers: a baseline study

Abstract

The current study examines the wellbeing, resilience and physical activity (PA) levels among Irish pre-service teachers. Participants were a sample of 128 higher education students (29% male; 71% female; mean age range 18–27 years old) who completed a self-report questionnaire, using a combination of established instruments for wellbeing, resilience, and PA. Descriptive data revealed that 39.1% presented with low levels of resilience, and 74% were not meeting the PA guidelines for health. One sample t-tests further revealed the sample population of higher education students had lower wellbeing (t (127) = −3.05, p = .003) and resilience (t (127) = −6.48, p = .003) levels, when compared to the population normative data. Results from the existing study suggest that a structured mental health and PA education awareness intervention for Irish pre-service teachers may be warranted, specifically to increase the lower than expected levels of resilience. The existing sample of pre-service teachers are at a critical time of transition, as they move forward into a profession where self-awareness of wellbeing is required at the beginning of their careers to sustain health both inside and outside of the classroom.

Keywords:

• wellbeing
• resilience
• physical activity
• pre-service teachers
• intervention

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank University College Cork and each of the Higher Education students who participated in the research.

Data availability statement

Data available on request from the authors: The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [WO’B], upon reasonable request.

Notes on contributors

Niamh O’ Brien Ms. Niamh O’ Brien (B.Ed., M.Ed.) is an existing Ph.D. candidate in University College Cork. Niamh’s study is seeking to evaluate a mental health education, and physical activity promotion intervention programme (State of Mind Ireland) for students within Irish Higher Education; other research interests include; psychology, behaviour, pedagogy, special education needs, education theory, and intervention design.

Dr. Martin Lawlor (R.I.P) was a consultant psychiatrist and programme director for State of Mind Ireland. His clinical and research interests included resilience, recovery based practices, promoting mental fitness and clinical leadership.

Dr. Fiona Chambers is the Head of the School of Education in University College Cork. Fiona's learning, teaching and research expertise lies in Physical Education, Physical Education Teacher Education, Mentoring and Digital Wellbeing.

Dr. Gavin Breslin is a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology in the School of Sport, Ulster University, and a member of the Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Institute.

Dr. Wesley O’Brien is the current director of the B.Ed Sports Studies and Physical Education Programme in the School of Education, University College Cork. Wesley, a lecturer in Physical Education and Coaching Science, is an expert in childhood movement and physical activity promotion. His research interests include physical education, wellbeing, motor competence, childhood physical activity, physical literacy and sport participation.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by State of Mind Ireland (SOMI), specifically through the funding of a Ph.D. research project (2017–2020).