Published on 1 April 2021
Keeping schools open is one of the priorities of the corona policy. This objective has recently come under pressure because the virus is circulating strongly in schools. Creative scenarios are being sought to control the virus so that schools can remain open. For some time, a pilot project with saliva testing has been running in some schools: the morning saliva of teachers and supervisors was analyzed for the coronavirus with a PCR test for 3 weeks. In an accompanying section, it was investigated whether participation in this project influences the mental health of school personnel, and whether participation poses a possible threat to the sustainability of the measures. In this report, we summarize the results of this last part.
The comparison with a control group shows that the use of saliva tests provides a buffer against an increasing concern for contamination and against a decrease in vitality. School personnel who perceive saliva testing as an entry point to greater freedom show less long-term adherence to the measures. Personnel who see saliva testing as a means to achieve a collective goal - ensuring the learning process and well-being of students and avoiding outbreaks - have a better long-term compliance. The idea that saliva testing allows more freedom creates a self-interested expectation pattern with possible negative side effects for our preventive behavior. We formulate a series of recommendations for an optimal psychological framework for a broader roll out of this project in the educational field.
Dutch
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