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Great Expectations: The Relation Between Expectancies and Adjustment During the Transition to University 1
Author(s) -
Jackson Lynne M.,
PANCER S. MARK,
Pratt Michael W.,
Hunsberger Bruce E.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of applied social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.822
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1559-1816
pISSN - 0021-9029
DOI - 10.1111/j.1559-1816.2000.tb02427.x
Subject(s) - psychology , social psychology , depression (economics) , relation (database) , clinical psychology , database , computer science , economics , macroeconomics
The nature of students' expectations about university, and their relation with adjustment in university, were examined in a longitudinal investigation. Prior to starting university, participants responded to open‐ended questions regarding their expectations about university. At this time, and during their 1st, 2nd, and 4th years of study, measures of adjustment were completed. Four distinct types of expectations about university were identified: optimistic, prepared, fearful, and complacent. Students whose expectations were fearful reported more stress, depression, and poorer university adjustment than did individuals with other types of expectations, particularly prepared. Moreover, group differences in university adjustment existed throughout students' 4 years at university, and were not attributable to self‐reported previous levels of personal adjustment or academic achievement.