Somatic complaints and symptoms which could become more obvious after the transition to secondary school could be signs of pupil adaptational stress, which coincides with the stress model of Lazarus and his associates. The purpose of the study was to determine whether we are able to predict psychosomatic symptoms depending on gender, school type, perceived self-efficacy and emotional coping strategies. The participants were pupils from high schools and also medical professional schools in Zagreb. There were two series of measurements; at the beginning and end of the first year. There were 308 participants in the first measurement and 291 in the second. The participants were examined using the Psychosomatic Symptom Questionnaire, a stress coping scale for children and adolescents (Vulić-Prtorić, 2002 and 2005) and Perceived Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents (Muris, 2001). Hierarchical regression analysis showed a high match of significant predictors among the two measurement series and the most important predictor variables were cognitive assessments (low academic and emotional self-efficacy), the use of specific coping strategies (Emotional reactivity and Avoidance) and the female gender. The results are a confirmation of the applicability of Lazarus stress model in the specific psychosocial context after the transition from primary to secondary school, showing some prevention possibilities as well.

transition to secondary school, stress, psychosomatic symptoms