A psychodynamic response to Hixenbaugh et al.' s paper ‘What enables students to succeed?’ - Drawing on attachment theory and developmental ideas

摘要

The research article published in this edition (Hixenbaugh et al., 20125. Hixenbaugh, P., Dewart, H. and Towell, T. 2012. What enables students to succeed? An investigation of socio-demographic, health, and student experience variables. Psychodynamic Practice, 18: 285-301. [Taylor & Francis Online]View all references) presents research findings carried out by a team of psychologists who have interest in the student experience in higher education. Based on a survey completed by 429 first-year students who have now completed their degrees, Hixenbaugh et al. examine the impact of the first-year experience on degree outcome. In this response paper, the author offers a view of the research from a psychodynamic perspective and based on her experience as a student counsellor. Attention is drawn to developmental ideas concerning the transition from late adolescence to adulthood and a view of University as a time and space, with the approval of society, to deal with developmental tasks. A brief description is given of attachment theory and this is linked to one of the main conclusions of the research paper concerning the importance of institutions fostering relationships between staff and students and between students in the interest of student success.View full textDownload full textKeywordsadolescence, development, secure base, attachment, relationshipsRelated var addthis_config = { ui_cobrand: "Taylor & Francis Online", services_compact: "citeulike,netvibes,twitter,technorati,delicious,linkedin,facebook,stumbleupon,digg,google,more", pubid: "ra-4dff56cd6bb1830b" }; Add to shortlist Link Permalink http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14753634.2012.694220