SOCIAL SUPPORT, STRESS, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING IN ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS

Abstract

The patterns of perceived social support from parents and peers and the relationship between perceived social support and psychological well-being were investigated on 140 adolescents (70 males, 70 females) in upper secondary schools and 140 young adults (70 males, 70 females) in the university in Singapore. Self-report measures were used in the present study to tap perceived social support, perceived stress, and psychological well-being. Results revealed several findings: (1) both adolescents and young adults perceived parents as likely sources of social support, (2) young adults perceived peers as more likely sources of social support than adolescents, (3) gender differences were found in the perception of the preferred sources of social support but not in the perception of social support, and (4) perceived social support was found to affect psychological well-being regardless of stress (i.e., main-effects model of support). These findings were discussed in the light of existing research on social support. Limitations of the present study and directions for future research were also discussed.