Risk and Protective Factors Associated with Student Distress and School Dropout: A Comparison between the Perspectives of Preadolescents, Parents, and Teachers

Maria Luisa Pedditzi (), Roberta Fadda and Loredana Lucarelli
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Maria Luisa Pedditzi: Department of Pedagogy, Psychology and Philosophy, University of Cagliari, Via Is Mirrionis 1, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
Roberta Fadda: Department of Pedagogy, Psychology and Philosophy, University of Cagliari, Via Is Mirrionis 1, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
Loredana Lucarelli: Department of Pedagogy, Psychology and Philosophy, University of Cagliari, Via Is Mirrionis 1, 09123 Cagliari, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 19, 1-14

Abstract: This study investigates the principal risk and protective factors associated with student distress and school dropout in a group of preadolescents, through a qualitative and quantitative comparison between the perspectives of students, parents, and teachers. We administered a questionnaire to evaluate student distress and school dropout in a middle school (student’s age range 13–15 years). We afterwards analyzed the responses of students at risk of school dropout. We also administered a semi-structured interview with their parents and their teachers. The results indicated significant levels of school distress in students (Collective Distress > 8.75) and a problematic relationship between parents and students (22.42%). We also found a problematic relationship between teachers and students (24.39%). The main protective factor of student distress and school drop-out indicated by the students was a more sensitive and supportive relationship with both parents and teachers. On the contrary, parents and teachers indicated as possible causes of school distress and drop-out the intrinsic students’ motivation or other external factors associated with the community. The results of our study highlight the importance to apply a multidimensional and transactional psycho-educational model, in which the relationship between the students and their caretaker plays a major role.

Keywords: parent–adolescent relationships; adolescent growth; protective and risk factors; student distress; school dropout; students–teacher interaction (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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