MEDIATORS OF ADOLESCENTS STRESS IN A COLLEGE PREPARATORY ENVIRONMENT

This study examined four variables (sense of control, perceived social support, degree of achievement motivation, and experienced satisfacti on) hypothesized to mediate or buffer adolescents from the negative im pact of academic and social stressors. The subjects were 61 high schoo l students enrolled in a college preparatory setting with high academi c standards and 63 of their parents. Students and parents were asked t o rate student responses to stress that is related to both academic an d nonacademic activities. Student-reported Control, Support, and Achie vement Motivation were found to be strongly related to reported stress levels, although only Control and Achievement were entered in the ful l model of a stepwise regression analysis. Differences in the sample i n terms of boarding versus day-student status, as well as differences between male and female student reports were examined.