NCJ Number
114286
Journal
Journal of Adolescence Volume: 11 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1988) Pages: 237-249
Date Published
1988
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This study tests the hypothesis that failure in school, which carries the risk of an occupation and social 'downward mobility' in a child's adult career compared to the family of origin, can function as a social 'stressor' which has detrimental effects on the social and emotional climate within the family and manifests itself in stress symptoms such as psychosomatic disorders.
Abstract
This hypothesis was tested through a questionnaire survey conducted with a representative sample of 1,717 students aged 13-16 in West Germany. The data support the hypotheses tested. Psychosomatic symptom frequency is reinforced when adolescents experience failure in school and associated social and emotional conflict with their parents. Multivariate analysis shows that these effects are interconnected. Thus, the underlying causes of tensions between adolescents and their parents are rooted in the social and economic opportunity structures of the society. 3 tables, 26 references. (Author abstract modified)