| Title: |
Improving Teacher Health and Well-Being: Mixed Methods Outcomes Evaluation of the Be Well Care Well Program |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Angela Moreland (ORCID 0000-0002-6055-4895); Kerrie Schnake; Laura Lessard; Faraday Davies; Katelyn Prowell; Grace S. Hubel |
| Source: |
Early Childhood Education Journal. 2025 53(5):1781-1793. |
| Availability: |
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/ |
| Peer Reviewed: |
Y |
| Page Count: |
13 |
| Publication Date: |
2025 |
| Document Type: |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
| Education Level: |
Early Childhood Education |
| Descriptors: |
Early Childhood Teachers; Child Caregivers; Wellness; Physical Health; Mental Health; Intervention; Health Promotion; Resilience (Psychology); Stress Management; Job Satisfaction; Motivation; Physical Activity Level; Program Effectiveness; Child Development; Classroom Environment; Well Being |
| DOI: |
10.1007/s10643-024-01698-6 |
| ISSN: |
1082-3301; 1573-1707 |
| Abstract: |
Early Care and Education (ECE) providers earn low wages, have limited access to employer sponsored health insurance, and are at higher risk for poor health (Lessard, 2020). Evidence shows that poor ECE teacher physical and mental health is associated with decreased ability to provide quality care for young children (Esquivel et al., 2016). One potential way to improve ECE teacher health is through workplace wellness interventions. Through longitudinal surveys and qualitative interviews with ECE providers, we found that, over the course of a year, ECE providers who participated in Be Well Care Well (BWCW), a 12-month wellness program designed specifically for ECE providers, improved significantly on measures of personal strength and resilience, worker stress, job satisfaction, motivation towards health, and engagement in physical activity, which was supported by interviews conducted by a subset of teachers. Providers' physical activity was specifically associated with the amount of time they reported engaging in components of the BWCW intervention. Compelling data was also gathered about the experience of children in the care of ECE providers who participated in BWCW. Findings show that after participating in BWCW, teachers' interactions with the children in their care proactively facilitate healthy social and emotional development. This provides initial evidence that BWCW is a promising approach for improving the lives of ECE providers and the quality of care they provide to young children. |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| Entry Date: |
2025 |
| Accession Number: |
EJ1470562 |
| Database: |
ERIC |