Teachers’ Perception about Adolescents and Stressors in their Lives

By : Vandana Singh, Komilla Thapa

Page No: 21-32

Abstract
Aim of this study was to identify the stressors in the lives of adolescents from the perspective of adults, namely their teachers with whom they have their greatest social and emotional interaction. Focus group discussions were conducted with thirty teachers in two different schools thus resulting in four FGDs in eight sessions. Teachers included in the study were teaching Classes of VIII-XII. Two kinds of schools were chosen for the study namely- Government and Private schools. This selection was based on the premise that these schools would cover a wider range of stressors in adolescents as schools play a major role in the lives of adolescents. Some keywords were formulated prior to the FGDs and these were piloted and used in the FGDs. FGDs were analyzed through the method of content analysis and themes were used as unit of analysis. Line by line approach was used, where every sentence was studied to determine the themes. According to teachers, adolescents do not have any academic pressure as the current examination system has made studies easier and allows them time to enjoy leisure activities. Amongst the stressors, teachers felt that parental expectations was the main stressor along with peer pressure, competition in getting admission in higher institutes. There was general agreement that stressors related to the environment and social context contributed to stress and adolescents were not able to cope with them because of their unhealthy life style.

Authors :
Vandana Singh : PhD. – Department of Psychology, University of Allahabad.
Komilla Thapa : Retd. Professor – Department of Psychology, University of Allahabad.
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/JPR.2023.18.01.3