Vroeë adolessente se persepsies van hulle primêre versorgers se betrokkenheid by die skoolgemeenskap in n Hoë–Risiko Gemeenskap

Abstract

Early adolescents’ perceptions of their primary care-givers’ involvement as to the school context in a high-risk community is important for their relational and personal well-being. Although school performance is of crucial importance concerning positive youth development, many South African adolescents are still part of the high incidence of repeating grades and drop-out statistics. The study was conducted within the theoretical framework of positive psychology to explore resources aimed at higher levels of well-being. The qualitative method was used, and participants between the ages of twelve and fourteen years of age, of one school in a high-risk community, were selected.. Demographic information shows that the primary care-givers of most participants are not their biological parents. Findings indicate that early adolescents’ perceptions of family imply the providing of basic needs as a requirement for school involvement. Also, the mostly negative emotional nature of home and learning environment interactions, adds to negative patterns which are associated with a high-risk community. This study offers an important contribution to Positive Psychology towards the understanding of early adolescents’ relational well-being and its context. Recommendations include guidelines for interventions while taking into account external as well as internal factors.