Externalizing and internalizing problems at school as signs of health-damaging behaviour and incipient marginalization.

Full Abstract

This study aimed to investigate whether behavioural or emotional problems in adolescents detected by their teachers are signs of a common psychosocial maladjustment and of the beginning of social marginalization. Altogether, 171 pupils (15 years of age) from the eastern part of Finland participated in the survey. Behavioural and emotional problems and academic achievements were assessed separately by two teachers. Pupils filled in a questionnaire about alcohol use, smoking, physical exercise and fitness, self-rated health, psychosomatic symptoms, social relationships and future educational plans. Results showed that poor success at school and the absence of or limited educational plans were associated with both externalizing and internalizing problems. Externalizing problems were associated with health-damaging behaviour and with bullying others. Internalizing problems were associated with poor perceived health and a low level of exercise, with mental symptoms, and with problems in social relationships. Thus, the pupils in both problem groups had a clustering of different risk factors. We conclude that the accumulation in adolescents of self-reported health-damaging behaviour, problems related to school, to future educational plans and to social relationships are already obvious in pupils with externalizing and/ or internalizing problems detected by their teachers at the age of 15 years. The capacity of teachers to identify pupils at risk as early as possible should therefore be utilized. The development of a vicious circle might be prevented through early intervention at school, by offering pupils guidance, counselling and treatment.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Laukkanen, Eila (E); Shemeikka, Sirpa (S); Notkola, Irma-Leena (IL); Koivumaa-Honkanen, Heli (H); Nissinen, Aulikki (A);

Affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Kuopio University Hospital, PO Box 1777, 70211 Kuopio, Finland. eila.laukkanen(-atsign-)kuh.fi

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Health promotion international (Health Promot Int), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Jun; vol 17 (issue 2) : pp 139-46

Dates: Created 2002/05/02; Completed 2002/07/01; Revised 2004/11/17;

PMID: 11986295, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior - psychology
Child Behavior Disorders - diagnosis; psychology
Faculty
Female
Finland
Follow-Up Studies
Health Behavior

This article has not been indexed for related articles as yet, however you can still use the live related article search links below.

See 100+ related articles.