The effects 'collateral' to study and work simultaneously


By having a few euros for personal expenses, to help the family finances or to gain professional experience, students increasingly sought to combine their careers and working life. An apparently harmless but which can have serious consequences if the employment hours exceed 20 a week and the health of the student.
Katheryn Monaham think so, at the University of Washington, Joanna M. Lee (of Virginia) and Laurence Steinberg (of the Temple, all in the U.S.) after conducting an investigation with more than 1,700 students.
 Effects 'collateral' to study and work

"Working part-time during the school year has been a feature of American teenagers for over 20 years. Today, as has been the case since 1980, an important part of high school students have part-time jobs, and many of these works over 20 hours a week. During the past two decades, numerous studies have examined the impact of work on adolescents, but the literature on the effects of partial employment has inconsistent results and no agreement on whether study and have a long working day (more than 20 hours per week) is harmful to academic performance or behavior and mental health, "the authors make clear in the last 'Child Development."

A total of 1,792 students from all socioeconomic and ethnic status have participated in the trial. They all looked at whether to combine studies with a temporary job, the hours of the week, as well as the academic level (working at home, concentration in class, among other variables) behavior problems, the existence of depressive symptoms, autonomy from parents and psychosocial development. The data show that teens who work more than 20 hours per week are more likely to participate less in class or have poorer academic performance than those who are not employed or are in less time health of the student..

Enrique García Huete, a clinical psychologist recognizes that the effects on performance are different even if weekly hours worked were "looking for a financial reward or are making practices. A resident MIR, for example, is working on his own career, which makes it probably more attentive in class and concentrate, because they are studying and working in the same. "
Consequences of stydy and work

This specialist recognizes that, indeed, the "school performance declines because the stress of work and fatigue (especially some jobs) reduce the concentration, attention and memory, essential elements of performance."
The study concludes also that kids with longer hours are more likely to take drugs or drink alcohol. "The leisure, out with friends are essential to stress. It is likely that if you do not have time for fun is good to relax drug use (hashish) or, precisely, in order to increase the performance and activity (cocaine and amphetamines) "adds Garcia Huete health of the student..

But not all bad news. Both the authors of the study and the Madrid psychologist recognize that "students who work have more autonomy and independence, raising self-esteem. They also have more responsibility is demonstrated by those who are working to help pay for school. All this also makes young people are more likely to achieve their goals. "