A1 Journal article (refereed)
Students' Positive Expectations and Concerns Prior to the School Transition to Lower Secondary School (2021)

Eskelä-Haapanen, S., Vasalampi, K., & Lerkkanen, M.-K. (2021). Students' Positive Expectations and Concerns Prior to the School Transition to Lower Secondary School. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 65(7), 1252-1265. https://doi.org/10.1080/00313831.2020.1791248

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Eskelä-Haapanen, Sirpa; Vasalampi, Kati; Lerkkanen, Marja-Kristiina

Journal or series: Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research

ISSN: 0031-3831

eISSN: 1470-1170

Publication year: 2021

Volume: 65

Issue number: 7

Pages range: 1252-1265

Publisher: Routledge, Taylor & Francis

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00313831.2020.1791248

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/71227

Abstract

This mixed-method study examines students' expectations and concerns before transitioning from primary to lower secondary school and the role of students' school-related wellbeing and self-esteem in their concerns. Students reported their beliefs about the forthcoming school transition and filled in a questionnaire assessing school burnout and self-esteem. The results showed that the students had positive expectations comprising comfort, friendships, learning, school environment, increased freedom and teacher -student relations. The students' concerns were mainly related to friendships. Furthermore, results indicated that students who reported concerns about peer relations were likely to experience more exhaustion from school than students who did not report concerns about peer relations. Among girls, concerns about peer relations were also related to a cynical attitude towards schoolwork. This study promotes to understand how students can be prepared and what topics should be specifically discussed with them to support their successful transition from primary to lower secondary school.

Keywords: pupils; lower level of comprehensive school; upper level of comprehensive school; transitional phases; readiness for change; beliefs; expectations; well-being; concern; peer support; study motivation

Free keywords: beliefs; expectations; concerns; school transition; primary school; lower secondary school

Contributing organizations

Related projects

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2021

JUFO rating: 2