Educational leaders and school-based mental health: a social network analysis of knowledge brokerage

This study examines the relational dynamics of knowledge brokerage among educational leaders in implementing multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) for mental health promotion in schools. Recognizing the critical link between student mental health and academic achievement, schools are increasingly e...

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Main Authors: Jennifer Turner, Stephen MacGregor, Sharon Friesen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-12-01
Series:Frontiers in Education
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2024.1457546/full
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author Jennifer Turner
Stephen MacGregor
Sharon Friesen
author_facet Jennifer Turner
Stephen MacGregor
Sharon Friesen
author_sort Jennifer Turner
collection DOAJ
description This study examines the relational dynamics of knowledge brokerage among educational leaders in implementing multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) for mental health promotion in schools. Recognizing the critical link between student mental health and academic achievement, schools are increasingly expected to provide comprehensive mental health supports. Utilizing social network analysis (SNA), this research explores the information-seeking behaviors of educational leaders within a public school system in British Columbia, Canada. By mapping the relational connections among school and district leaders, the study identifies how these leaders, as knowledge brokers, navigate and influence educational policies and practices related to MTSS. The findings reveal latent interaction patterns that can either facilitate or impede the flow of essential information, highlighting potential areas for strategic intervention. The analysis demonstrates the importance of leadership in fostering collaboration and ensuring the effective integration of mental health initiatives into school communities. Additionally, the study underscores the complex interactions through which knowledge is exchanged and mobilized, emphasizing the need for systems to enhance relational ties and promote collaborative leadership. This research contributes to the scholarship and practice of educational leadership by advancing the understanding of how social networks and knowledge brokerage can support the successful implementation of MTSS.
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spelling doaj-art-2ec2b4a4e13b4315b77a8d52c456eaf62025-08-20T02:30:38ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Education2504-284X2024-12-01910.3389/feduc.2024.14575461457546Educational leaders and school-based mental health: a social network analysis of knowledge brokerageJennifer Turner0Stephen MacGregor1Sharon Friesen2Calgary Board of Education, Calgary, AB, CanadaWerklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, CanadaWerklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, CanadaThis study examines the relational dynamics of knowledge brokerage among educational leaders in implementing multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) for mental health promotion in schools. Recognizing the critical link between student mental health and academic achievement, schools are increasingly expected to provide comprehensive mental health supports. Utilizing social network analysis (SNA), this research explores the information-seeking behaviors of educational leaders within a public school system in British Columbia, Canada. By mapping the relational connections among school and district leaders, the study identifies how these leaders, as knowledge brokers, navigate and influence educational policies and practices related to MTSS. The findings reveal latent interaction patterns that can either facilitate or impede the flow of essential information, highlighting potential areas for strategic intervention. The analysis demonstrates the importance of leadership in fostering collaboration and ensuring the effective integration of mental health initiatives into school communities. Additionally, the study underscores the complex interactions through which knowledge is exchanged and mobilized, emphasizing the need for systems to enhance relational ties and promote collaborative leadership. This research contributes to the scholarship and practice of educational leadership by advancing the understanding of how social networks and knowledge brokerage can support the successful implementation of MTSS.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2024.1457546/fulleducational leadershipmental healthmulti-tiered systems of supportknowledge brokeragesocial network analysis
spellingShingle Jennifer Turner
Stephen MacGregor
Sharon Friesen
Educational leaders and school-based mental health: a social network analysis of knowledge brokerage
Frontiers in Education
educational leadership
mental health
multi-tiered systems of support
knowledge brokerage
social network analysis
title Educational leaders and school-based mental health: a social network analysis of knowledge brokerage
title_full Educational leaders and school-based mental health: a social network analysis of knowledge brokerage
title_fullStr Educational leaders and school-based mental health: a social network analysis of knowledge brokerage
title_full_unstemmed Educational leaders and school-based mental health: a social network analysis of knowledge brokerage
title_short Educational leaders and school-based mental health: a social network analysis of knowledge brokerage
title_sort educational leaders and school based mental health a social network analysis of knowledge brokerage
topic educational leadership
mental health
multi-tiered systems of support
knowledge brokerage
social network analysis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2024.1457546/full
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AT sharonfriesen educationalleadersandschoolbasedmentalhealthasocialnetworkanalysisofknowledgebrokerage