Das subjektive Erleben des Übergangs in die weiterführende Schule: Die Bedeutung der Antizipation für die Bewältigung dieses kritischen Lebensereignisses

Different coping patterns for children’s transition to secondary school have been reported in the literature, and the influence of the subjective anticipation of this critical life event has been discussed. The current study uses cognitive-transactional theory (Lazarus & Folkman, 1987) and establishes a connection between primary and secondary appraisals and well-being after the transition as well as the evaluation of the transition itself while studying a sample of students during the transition from grade 6 (primary school) to grade 7 (secondary school) in the district of Berlin, Germany. Using latent regression analyses, a significant effect was found of the anticipation of the transition on coping after the transition. In particular, positive appraisals were associated with a higher well-being and a more positive evaluation of the transition. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.