Abstract

The objective of this research was to determine whether and what differentiates the intensity of negative and positive emotions amongst socially adjusted and maladjusted adolescents. Empirical studies were conducted on a sample of 380 lower and higher secondary school students and 104 juveniles living in five different rehabilitation facilities. To measure the variables a questionnaire was constructed including statements allowing respondents to describe the frequency of 13 positive and 13 negative emotions. Socially maladjusted teenagers declare experiencing positive emotions rarer than their well-adjusted peers attending lower and higher secondary schools. On the other hand the students from public schools more frequently declare feeling some negative emotions (disgust, contempt, stress and disaffection) in comparison with rehabilitation facilities’ juveniles..