Students' Adjustment Over the Transition to Middle School: The Role of Caregiver and Teacher Attachments

Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to evaluate a model of students' adjustment over the transition from elementary school to middle school. A secure attachment to one's primary caregiver and a secure attachment to one's elementary schoolteacher were hypothesized to predict perceived self-competence and better adjustment over the transition. Perceived self-competence was also hypothesized to predict better adjustment over the transition. Results indicated that a secure attachment to one's primary caregiver predicted perceived self-competence, yet none of the other hypotheses were supported. Moreover, students reported decreases in psychological symptomatology and aggressive behaviors over the transition. These findings highlight the powerful influence of caregivers and caution us from assuming that the transition will lead to negative outcomes for all students.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Education

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• VanBoven, Amy Marie

Contributors dc:contributor

• Espelage, Dorothy L.

• Education, Educational Psychology

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3153447

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/79811