Abstract

Researchers have produced a substantial body of work on the biological and

psychological changes that occur during adolescence, as well as the family, peer, and cultural
influences that shape adolescents’ lives in important ways. This evidence, as well as the
evidence-based practice of health care practitioners and others who work with adolescents can
guide current and future efforts to promote healthy behavior and prevent risky behaviors that
are prevalent during this stage of development.

The present research was undertaken with an aim to study the psychological and sociological
perspectives of the adolescent college students. To facilitate the study about psychosocial
development of the adolescent, the researcher selected emotional maturity, social maturity,
achievement motivation and parenting styles that include the rearing style of both father and
mother. The attributes selected for the study were conceptually framed to focus psychological
and sociological perspectives.

The study was conducted in aided cum autonomous college of Tiruchirappalli affiliated to
Bharathidasan College. Three colleges of women only men only and coeducation college of
which 100 samples from each college were selected including only the II UG,III UG and I PG
students keeping on track the middle and the late adolescent age. Using disproportionate
stratified sampling method a sum of 300 was selected for the study. Hypotheses were framed to
test the diversified groups understand the nature of significance and differences among the
variables administers in the study. Mixed methodology was adopted while choosing the
sequential explanatory research design. The questionnaire method was adopted to facilitate the
responses from the adolescent college students. Three FGDs and three case studies were also
carried out to ascertain the reasons for the adolescent college student’s negligible performance in
the overall psychosocial development.

The study revealed that an average of 53 percent of the adolescent college students expressed a
low level of overall emotional maturity, social maturity and achievement motivation. The same
were reflected in the three focused group discussion and case studies undertaken. It was also
revealed that 45% of them were into unhappy parenting styles. The present study also revealed
specific social work interventions strategies.