Adolescent alienation from society is a serious issue confronting many industrialised nations. It is a particularly disturbing relationship between the adolescent and their family, society, school, peers or self (Calabrese & Cochran, 1990). To be alienated is to lack a sense of belonging, to feel cut off from family, friends or school (Bronfenbrenner, 1986). It is seen as a negative aspect of young people's lives, associated with behaviours such as violence, school failure, drug abuse, sexual promiscuity and involvement in other forms of deviant behaviour (Newmann, Rutter & Smith, 1989; Mau, 1992; Zubrick, et al, 1997).