Failure in School, Family Conflicts, and Psychosomatic Disorders in Adolescence

• NCJ Number: 114286
• Journal: Journal of Adolescence Volume: 11 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1988) Pages: 237-249
• Author(s): K Hurrelmann; U Engel; B Holler; E Nordlohne
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 13 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: West Germany (Former)
• Note: Report on the project 'Social Origins of Problem Behavior in Adolescence,' as part of the research program of the special research unit 227 'Prevention and Intervention in Childhood and Adolescence.'

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)