Perceived Social Support among High-Stress Adolescents

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Abstract
A total of 505 students from the 11th and 12th grade participated in a study investigating the moderating effects of perceived family and peer social support among a group of adolescents experiencing elevated levels of stress. Both intemalizing and externalizing symptomatology were examined through the use of self-report inventories assessing depression and delinquent behaviors. Adolescents with high perceived family support reported fewer depression and delinquency outcomes. Adolescents with high perceived peer support presented a more complicated pattern, reporting lower levels of depression but inconsistent levels of delinquent behaviors. Additionally, gender of the adolescent emerged as an important individual difference. The complexity of the social support construct and its role as a buffer against psychopathology among adolescents experiencing high levels of stress are discussed.