NCJ Number
196520
Journal
Youth & Society Volume: 34 Issue: 1 Dated: September 2002 Pages: 55-88
Editor(s)
Kathryn G. Herr
Date Published
September 2002
Length
34 pages
Annotation
This study examined the effect of sociopolitical upheaval in Bulgaria on youths’ adaptation and their perceptions of supportive environments focusing on the moderating role of school environments.
Abstract
Prior studies have shown that sociopolitical upheaval causes major dislocation in youths’ lives primarily by affecting their proximal environments (family relationships, altering educational settings and opportunities, peer relationships, limits work opportunities, and disturbs community life). This study examined how sociopolitical dislocation in Bulgaria affected several aspects of youths’ adaptation both positive and negative. The study focused on changes in perceptions of two aspects of family environment: family cohesion and parental warmth and understanding. In addition, the study addressed the effect of sociopolitical dislocation on peers and schools. Findings are presented from cohort and longitudinal studies conducted during major sociopolitical upheaval in Bulgaria, 1996-1998. Findings included: (1) during major social dislocation, Bulgaria youth did not perceive their supportive environments as declining, but stable or improved; (2) youths reporting a decline in the supportive environments showed deterioration in aspects of their adaptation; and (3) stability and improvement of school cohesion during conditions of social change moderated the effect of deteriorating family and peer environments on youths’ adaptation. The family remains the most important of the proximal environments for youths’ adaptation with school cohesion playing an important role in the process. References