Alienation from school

Two studies aimed at understanding the time course of alienation from school and school factors that may influence alienation from school during early adolescence. In Study 1, 434 students from grade 5–8 participated (cross-sectional design). In Study 2, we followed 356 students from grade 6–7 (longitudinal design). The results confirm the prevalence of alienation for boys and low achievers, the gradual progression of alienation during adolescence, and the predictive value of instructional quality, positive teacher–student integration and positive student–student integration in determining academic alienation during early adolescence.

► We examine the time course and the predictors of alienation from school.
► School alienation gradually progresses during early adolescence.
► Boys and low achievers are more affected by school alienation.
► Instructional quality and social integration in the classroom predict school alienation.