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Family functioning influence on adolescents’ perception of importance of identification with school
Author
Wu, Ashley Xiulan
Supervisor
Huan, Vivien Swee Leng
Abstract
Family functioning and identification with school are both risk and protective factors for adolescents. This research focused on the influence of the level of family functioning on the perception of the importance of identification with school in adolescents. It also looked at how school personnel played a positive role in adolescents’ lives. Two instruments, the Family Assessment Device (FAD) (Epstein, Baldwin & Bishop, 1983) and the Identification with School Questionnaire (ISQ) (Voelkl, 1996) (modified) were used to measure the two variables; level of family functioning and perception of the importance of identification with school respectively. An open-ended question was included to elicit information on how the significant people from school have impacted the participants positively. One hundred and eighty six participants, aged 17 to 21, from a local polytechnic in Singapore participated in this research. Results using correlations showed that adolescents who perceived their family to be lacking clear standards of behaviour, and to be dysfunctional tended to have less emphasis on the importance of belonging to school and vice versa. Adolescents who perceived their family to be dysfunctional also tended to have less emphasis on the identification with school and vice versa. The regression results showed Behaviour Control dimension on Family Assessment Device predicted Identification with School Questionnaire-modified total score. Qualitative analysis of an open ended question showed that the secondary school was the most frequently mentioned time where the participants came to know the significant people who had impacted them positively. The participants were impacted positively when they were encouraged, motivated and felt cared for. Implications of the research were also discussed.
Date Issued
2016
Call Number
BF724.3.I3 Wu
Date Submitted
2016