Analyzing academic stress in adolescence: Gender and grade level effects in Compulsory Secondary Education

Authors

  • Rafael García-Ros University of Valencia
  • Francisco Pérez-González University of Valencia
  • María C. Fuentes Durán University of Valencia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14635/IPSIC.2015.110.3

Keywords:

Academic stress, Adolescence Secondary Education, Age differences, Sex differences

Abstract

The study analyzes the effects of gender and grade level on the academic stress of a sample of 299 adolescents enrolled in Compulsory Secondary Education (grades 7-10). Higher levels of stress in all grades and both sexes are shown on work overload and taking exams, as well as on concerns about their academic future. Significant main effects of both grade level and sex are observed on the stress produced by doing activities and studying, with girls and year of incorporation in secondary school showing higher values. The sex*grade level interaction is significant on academic overload and taking exams, academic future and interpersonal relationships, with the girls presenting higher levels in 10th grade than the boys and showing homogenous levels throughout secondary school, while the boys showed a gradual decline. The results are discussed from the perspective of prior research and their importance for educational intervention.

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Author Biographies

Rafael García-Ros, University of Valencia

Rafael García-Ros is a Professor in the Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology at the University of Valencia (Spain). His main research interests focus on self-regulated learning, instructional technology and transition to university. His most recent studies have been published in School Psychology International, Transportation part F: Psychology and Behavior, Teaching in Higher Education, the Journal of Psychodidactics, the Spanish Journal of Psychology and the Electronic Journal of Educational Psychology.

Francisco Pérez-González, University of Valencia

Profesor Titular del Departamento de Psicología Evolutiva y de la Educación de la Universitat de València. Sus líneas prioritarias de investigación se centran en el aprendizaje autorregulado y la intervención psicoeducativa.

María C. Fuentes Durán, University of Valencia

Doctora en Psicologia. Profesora Asociada del Departamento de Metodología de las Ciencias del Comportamiento de la Universitat de València. Su línea prioritaria de investigación se centra en los efectos de los estilos parentales sobre el ajuste personal, educativo y social en la adolescencia y adultez joven

Published

2016-01-15

How to Cite

García-Ros, R., Pérez-González, F., & Fuentes Durán, M. C. (2016). Analyzing academic stress in adolescence: Gender and grade level effects in Compulsory Secondary Education. INFORMACIO PSICOLOGICA, (110), 2–12. https://doi.org/10.14635/IPSIC.2015.110.3