Problematic life situations and symptoms of psychosocial stress in Polish and German adolescents. Primary data of a cross-cultural youth sociological analysis.

Research Questions/Hypotheses:

Despite the current economic, social and cultural differences in the living conditions of German and Polish young people, the deep social structures of the shape of the life phase in both countries do not differ seriously from each other.

Research Design:

Fully standardised survey instrument (question areas and answer alternatives given); single measurement

Measurement Instruments/Apparatus:

The relevant aspects of the living conditions and psychosocial state of young people were recorded with the help of a standardised survey instrument. The items were usually provided with multi-level response scales (for more information cf. Mansel, Hurrelmann & Wlodarek, 1991).
The Polish version was developed as a complete counterpart to the German version by first carrying out an exact translation, then a careful language check by knowledgeable speakers of both languages and finally a sample survey of 20 Polish adolescents.

Data Collection Method:

Survey in the presence of an investigator

• Group assignment
• Paper and pencil

Population:

German young people in grades 7 and 9 and Polish young people in grades 6 and 8

Survey Time Period:

In Germany, first wave of a four-year longitudinal survey; in Poland, first survey of several cross-sectional surveys, but here only the first wave.
Survey period Germany: 1986; two months after the summer holidays.
Survey period Poland: 1989; two months after summer holidays

Sample:

Stratified, systematic sample

Gender Distribution:

46,3% female participants (n=973)
53,7% male participants (n=1126)

Age Distribution: 11 to 19 years

Spatial Coverage (Country/Region/City): Germany; Poland/North Rhine-Westphalia; Poznan/Lippe, Essen; –

Subject Recruitment:

Subjects were interviewed in class.

Sample Size:

2100

Return/Drop Out: