School counsellors' perceptions concerning the impact of unexpected long-term widespread unemployment on senior high school students in Newfoundland fishing communities

Abstract

The purpose of this exploratory research was to investigate the impact of unexpected widespread local unemployment on senior high students in communities with one main industry - fishing, from the perspectives of their school counsellors. The sample consisted of 19 counsellors from high schools along the east coast of Newfoundland who served in 119 communities having high numbers of fishery workers who were unemployed due to the closure of the Northern Cod fishery. -- Based on a review of the literature concerning the effects of unemployment on children, an instrument was developed and sent to counsellors who met the criteria for the study. Through the use of closed-form (Likert scale) and open-form items, counsellors were asked to assess how students were being affected in five general areas: school behaviours, career aspirations, family relationships, financial resources, and mental and physical health. Male and female students were rated separately on the Likert scale items. In each section a first open-ended question asked if there were any other changes that had taken place not previously addressed. A second question asked counsellors to list programs that might be implemented in their respective schools and communities that might address any student change. -- The ten top ranked indicators of perceived student change involved items that addressed students' future job expectations, requests for training information, valuing of education, admission rates, visits to counsellor, allowance money, and indications of stress and depression. -- Each section was also ranked in terms of the percentages of counsellors who reported student changes on items. Macro analyses indicated that changes were reported, from most to least, in the following areas: Career Aspirations; Mental and Physical Health; Financial Resources; Family Relationships; and School Behaviours. Some counsellors reported changes in open-form responses in areas not identified in closed-from items. Certain recommendations for programs to address changes identified were also given. T-tests revealed relatively few perceived gender differences. It is recommended that future research be conducted and models developed to determine more precisely the actual situation in order that useful programs might be implemented in schools and communities affected.