Adolescent perceptions of the importance of teachers as a therapeutic support in coping with their problems

The aim of this study is to determine the importance with which students regard teachers as sources of support in coping with their problems, and whether there is any link between this and the type of problem seen as being of major importance to them. A structured interview was conducted and a questionnaire administered individually to 623 pupils aged 15-19 years, from 12 different schools and colleges. The results show teachers rank rather low in the list of those to whom the pupils will turn for help to cope with their problems. Boys and girls experience very different problems. Girls communicate as a means of dealing with their problems more than boys, who tend to look to themselves for support. The implications for those boys whose main problems concern school are discussed. It is stressed it is important not to neglect the needs of girls, who tend to adopt a lower profile in class.