Abstract

In the past few years, there has been a growing interest in the use of Hellison’s Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility (TPSR) model both in sports and Physical Education (PE) programs and in broader pedagogical interventions. TPSR helps individuals adopt habits and set behavioural goals, based on a culture of responsibility both within and outside of school contexts. The present study describes a TPSR participatory action research intervention conducted at a primary school in an urban area of Attica in Greece, as a whole-school approach that could help students develop responsible habits and attitudes. Ninety-one (91) students (boys=48, girls=43, aged 8 to 12 years) from grades 3-6 participated in the study, together with four generalist teachers, the PE teacher, and the school principal. Data was collected pre- and post with the Greek version of the Personal and Social Responsibility Questionnaire (PSRQ) (quantitative data), along with qualitative data, from teacher reflective journals, and classroom observations. A mixed methods ANOVA (time x grade) was used to evaluate the effect of the intervention on students’ personal and social responsibility, while qualitative data were analysed thematically based on the TPSR levels of responsibility. Results showed that there was a statistically significant main effect of time, with students exhibiting higher levels of personal and social responsibility at the end of the intervention. Qualitative data analyses revealed that teachers’ goal setting and ongoing reflection contributed to students’ responsibility and positive behavior development. The importance of action research as a proactive and reactive approach to educational transformation was mentioned by all participants. These findings highlight the need to prepare the ground for implementing TPSR as a whole-school approach that foregrounds the building of strong and trusting relationships as critical to reconnecting students with the broader school culture.

Keywords

Mixed Methods Design, Physical Education, Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility, Undesirable Behaviors,

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