Adaptation of children to Learning in Schools with Different Educational Models: The State of Autonomic Homeostasis and Personal-Characterological Adaptive Resources

Abstract

Psychological and behavioral factors participate in the pathogenesis of most chronic non-communicable diseases (cardiovascular, respiratory, etc.). The aim of the study is to study the adaptation characteristics of children (parameters of vegetative homeostasis, personality characteristics, and adaptive behavior style) under conditions of moderate chronic stress. Materials and methods. The study included 177 children aged 10 to 12 (11.3±0.2 years), with first and second health groups, who graduated from primary school and are enrolled in the private "IQRO" school or the secondary level of general education schools. The main group consisted of 119 students from the "IQRO" school (55 girls). The comparison group consisted of 58 students (31 girls) from one of the general education schools. All patients underwent standard electrocardiography (ECG). The baseline autonomic tone was determined using the A.M. Vein questionnaire modified by N.A. Belokon. Vegetative tests were performed based on the analysis of heart rhythm and blood pressure. A.M. Prihozhan's adapted Phillips test and L.A. Yasukova's modified 12-factor Kettell personality questionnaire were used. Statistical Analysis. Data processing was performed using the Statistica 10 software package. The critical level of statistical significance for testing null hypotheses was set at p = 0.05. To compare the distributions of quantitative variables across groups, in addition to the classical analysis of variance (ANOVA), nonparametric methods were applied, including the Kruskal–Wallis analysis of variance with Wilcoxon rank scores and the Van der Waerden test. Results. The analysis demonstrated that parameters of autonomic homeostasis are closely associated with personality traits and adaptive behavior styles. Baseline sympathicotonia was associated with high levels of general anxiety (p = 0.000) and reduced volitional self-control (p = 0.000). Children with excessive sympathetic reactivity were characterized by increased emotionality (p = 0.000), pronounced psychological tension (p = 0.04), decreased independence (p = 0.001), reduced communicative activity (p = 0.01), and lower volitional self-control (p = 0.03), as well as a tendency to adopt non-constructive behavioral coping strategies (p = 0.001). Conclusions. The criteria for optimal adaptation of children aged 10–12 years to new learning conditions include a balanced autonomic regulation system, good tolerance to academic workload, and successful academic performance. Deviations in health status, a sympathetic predominance in autonomic nervous system responses, reduced tolerance to loads, and insufficient learning effectiveness indicate a strained course of the adaptation process and require psychological, pedagogical, and medical-preventive interventions.