NCJ Number
243405
Journal
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 42 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2013 Pages: 837-847
Date Published
June 2013
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study investigated the role of socioeconomic stress on academic adjustment, and pinpoints family obligation as a possible buffer of negative associations.
Abstract
Socioeconomic stress has long been found to place youth at risk, with low family income conferring disadvantages in adolescents' school achievement and success. This study investigates the role of socioeconomic stress on academic adjustment, and pinpoints family obligation as a possible buffer of negative associations. The authors examined direct and interactive effects at two time points in the same sample of Asian-American adolescentsearly high school (N = 180 9th-10th graders; 60 percent female) and 2 years later in late high school (N = 156 11-12 graders; 87 percent of original sample). Results suggest that socioeconomic stress is indeed associated with poor academic adjustment, measured broadly through self-reported GPA, importance of academic success, and educational aspirations and expectations. Family obligation was positively related to adjustment, and also was found to buffer the negative effects of socioeconomic stress, but only during adolescents' later high school years. Adolescents reporting more family obligation experienced less of the negative effects of financial stress on academic outcomes than those reporting lower obligation. Cultural and developmental implications are discussed in light of these direct and moderating effects. Abstract published by arrangement with Springer.