The Relation between Self Differentiation and School Adjustment Among School Adolescents

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between self differentiation and school adjustment among adolescents. METHODS: The subjects were 356 adolescents. The following research questions were established. The adolescents' self differentiation level was measured based on Bowen's family system theory modified for Korean adolescents(Je, 1989) and their school adjustment level was measured with developed for Korean adolescents(Park, 1998). Collected data were analyzed by Mean+/-SD, t-test, ANOVA and Scheffe and Pearson correlation coefficient (SPSS 12.0). RESULTS: 1. The mean score for the level of self differentiation was 99.99+/-11.58 and school adjustment was 63.52+/-8.80. 2. The self differentiation level was different according to father's education and monthly income. The school adjustment level was different according to grade, sex, father's education and father's occupation. 3. Self differentiation had a significant positive correlation with school adjustment. CONCLUSION: The self differentiation level was confirmed to have an influence on school adjustment. We need to develop a program that can enhance adolescents' self differentiation.