Emotional anticipation of high school graduation: Similarity of profiles across gender, educational track, and grade

The present study investigated adolescents’ emotional anticipation profiles at the prospect of high school graduation and examined whether these profiles were similar across gender, educational track, and grade. Our results shed light on profiles that were distinct in level and shape: a Positive Anticipatory–Positive Anticipated emotions profile, a Mixed Anticipatory–High Anticipated emotions profile, a Mixed Anticipatory–Low Anticipated emotions profile, a Negative Anticipatory–High Anticipated emotions profile, and a Positive Anticipatory–High Anticipated emotions profile. Contrasting with variable-centered results, differences across gender, educational track, and grades were found to be rather qualitative in nature (i.e., different profile shape and prevalence) than quantitative (i.e., differences in emotional levels). Our findings offer important insights in understanding adolescents’ anticipation of important life and educational transitions.