Examining latchkey early adolescents' perceptions related to their unsupervised experiences after school: A phenomenological qualitative study

KARABABA A.

Family Journal, vol.32, no.4, pp.635-646, 2024 (ESCI) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 32 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1177/10664807221104116
  • Journal Name: Family Journal
  • Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, ASSIA, CINAHL, Communication & Mass Media Index, Criminal Justice Abstracts, EBSCO Education Source, Gender Studies Database, Psycinfo, Social services abstracts, Sociological abstracts
  • Page Numbers: pp.635-646
  • Keywords: early adolescents, latchkey phenomenon, self-care, unsupervised time after school
  • Uşak University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the perceptions of latchkey early adolescents related to their unsupervised experiences after school. The sample consisted of 16 early adolescents (8 female-8 male) who accepted to participate in the research voluntarily, aged from 11 to 14 years old, attending a secondary school in the city of Denizli/Turkey. The qualitative research methodology was used in this research and the phenomenological was chosen as a study design. Based on interpretative phenomenological analysis following the semi-structured interviews which were audio-recorded, the results revealed the following six main themes: positive self patterns, negative self patterns, lack of perceived social support, perceived academic achievement, communication, and emotional state.