Enhancing Understanding of the Nature of Supportive School-based Relationships for Youth who have Experienced Trauma

Student-teacher relationships play a critical role in supporting the learning and well-being of students with mental health problems. The purpose of this article was to draw from both current literature and previous qualitative interview research to understand the aspects of school-based relationships that are beneficial for students who have experienced trauma. The integration of theory with the first-person accounts of the youth led to the development of a model that describes the core needs created by experiencing trauma and the nature of student-teacher relationships that can meet these needs in the educational context. The four aspects of student teacher relationships that supported trauma-related needs at school were relationships that were 1) teacher driven, 2) authentic caring, 3) attunement to students’ emotional states, and 4) individualized. Establishing caring connections with teachers was pivotal to student health and well-being and to meeting the core needs created by traumatic events (safety, control, trust, self-worth, self-expression, connections). As youth with mental health problems spend considerable time each week in the classroom, a greater understanding of the nature of supportive school-based relationships can inform teachers in their efforts to teach and connect with students. Keywords: mental health, trauma, student-teacher relationships, school connectednes