The role of leisure educators in preventing loneliness

The title of this project is ‘The role of leisure educators in preventing loneliness’. Knowledge about loneliness in a Danish after-school educational context is under-exposed, despite its high relevance in a society where the well-being of children and young people is in focus. Several studies indicate that loneliness in childhood and adolescence can increase the risk of, among other things, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety and school absenteeism. Research also finds that children and young people who do not experience well-being have an increased risk of health problems in adulthood. Danish research shows that 56% of educators in the after-school educational field are experiencing an increase in children who are lonely. They cite a lack of time and standards as a challenge in their work to support children in potentially vulnerable positions. The research also shows that educators experience that vulnerable children who receive pedagogical support in school teaching do not receive support in after-school care, despite their need for it. In this project, we investigate and create knowledge about how children understand loneliness in a leisure-time educational context, and how educators, based on professional ethics and professional judgment, work strategically to see and prevent loneliness. On this basis, concrete recommendations are developed for the benefit of children and young people, the profession, education and society.
Theoretical framework
The theoretical framework draws upon William Corsaros’ understanding of children as active actors who establish social hierarchies through both overt and subtle negotiations (Corsaro, 2002), Axel Honneths forms of recognition and infringement (2006) and Max Van Manens perspectives on pedagogical tact (2022).
Methodology/research design
The project uses ethnographic fieldwork as participant observations/informal conversations with a focus on children's social organizations, drawing workshops for children with a focus on children's understanding of loneliness, focus group interviews with educators, and empirical workshops with the educators as co-researchers. At the roundtable discussion it will be the research design concerning the children we want to highlight and discuss.
Expected results/findings
The aim of the project is to deliver research results that provide knowledge about and recommendations for work on preventing loneliness in leisure-time educational contexts. The project aims to deliver 1. Knowledge about children's understanding of loneliness. 2. Knowledge about educators' work with children and loneliness in leisure-time educational contexts. 3.Concrete recommendations for how leisure-time educators can work on preventing loneliness.
Relevance to Nordic educational research
In recent years, in Nordic educational research, there has been a focus on communities as part of children's well-being in a leisure-time educational context. With this project we want to shed light on another aspect of children's everyday experiences and investigate how they understand loneliness. In a Nordic context, the project provides insight into an attention-demanding topic relevant for both educators and society as a whole.