Adolescents' Perceptions of the Stressful and Desirable Aspects of the Transition to Junior High School

Abstract

Adolescents' perceptions of junior high school were examined in the spring of sixth grade, when they were in elementary school; in the fall of seventh grade, after they had entered junior high school; and in the following spring. At each time, the adolescents (N = 101) reported what they liked and disliked about junior high school. Adolescents made more positive than negative comments about junior high school at all three times, which suggest that they perceived the transition as more desirable than stressful. Sixth graders who engaged in more misconduct were less concerned about moving to junior high school. However, after entering seventh grade, they perceived the new school less positively than other students. Sixth graders higher in achievement were more concerned about moving to junior high school; but, once there, they viewed the new school more positively than other students. The implications of the findings for hypotheses about stress and coping and self-fulfilling prophecies are discussed.