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Wellness promotion in the schools: Enhancing students' mental and physical health
Author(s) -
Miller David N.,
Gilman Rich,
Martens Matthew P.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
psychology in the schools
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1520-6807
pISSN - 0033-3085
DOI - 10.1002/pits.20274
Subject(s) - mental health , optimism , psychology , health promotion , promotion (chess) , affect (linguistics) , physical education , medical education , public health , pedagogy , psychiatry , social psychology , medicine , nursing , communication , politics , political science , law
Wellness promotion addresses both the reduction of disorder and disease and the enhancement of mental and physical health. There is increasing evidence of a strong and reciprocal relationship between mental and physical health, and linking these two areas may be particularly useful for promoting positive youth development in school contexts. This article discusses the relationship between mental and physical health in children and adolescents, and how to promote both within schools. Topics discussed include the benefits of (a) hope and optimism, (b) structured extracurricular activities, and (c) sport and exercise psychology for school‐based health and wellness promotion. These topics are linked in that each has the potential to positively affect both mental and physical health in children and adolescents in schools. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.