A1 Journal article (refereed)
The Role of Perceived Social Support as a Contributor to the Successful Transition from Primary to Lower Secondary School (2020)

Virtanen, T., Vasalampi, K., Kiuru, N., Lerkkanen, M.-K., & Poikkeus, A.-M. (2020). The Role of Perceived Social Support as a Contributor to the Successful Transition from Primary to Lower Secondary School. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 64 (7), 967-983. doi:10.1080/00313831.2019.1639816

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Virtanen, Tuomo; Vasalampi, Kati; Kiuru, Noona; Lerkkanen, Marja-Kristiina; Poikkeus, Anna-Maija

Journal or series: Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research

ISSN: 0031-3831

eISSN: 1470-1170

Publication year: 2020

Volume: 64

Issue number: 7

Pages range: 967-983

Publisher: Routledge

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00313831.2019.1639816

Open Access: Publication channel is not openly available

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/64640

Abstract

Following approximately 1,800 Finnish children, this longitudinal study examined the associations between students’ perceived social support (teacher-student relationships, family support, and peer support), behavioral engagement, cynicism towards school, and academic achievement during the transition from primary to lower secondary school. After controlling for parental educational level and cynicism before the school transition, the results showed that the more students experienced pre-transition peer support, the less they reported post-transition cynicism. Furthermore, pre-transition peer support contributed to students’ increased academic achievement and behavioral engagement after the transition through decreased cynicism. The findings indicated that peer support functions as a protective factor against cynicism as students move through the critical school transition phase and positively contributes to students’ behavioral engagement and academic achievement.

Keywords: upper comprehensive school; lower comprehensive school; transitional phase; social support; cynicism

Free keywords: school transition; perceived social support; student engagement; cynicism towards school

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Ministry reporting: Yes

Preliminary JUFO rating: 2