Adolescent predictors of satisfaction with social support six years later: An Australian longitudinal study

Helen R Winefield; Paul H Delfabbro; Anthony H Winefield; Tania Plueckhahn; Catia G Malvaso

doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2015.07.004

Adolescent predictors of satisfaction with social support six years later: An Australian longitudinal study

J Adolesc. 2015 Oct:44:70-6. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2015.07.004. Epub 2015 Jul 29.

Authors

Helen R Winefield¹, Paul H Delfabbro², Anthony H Winefield³, Tania Plueckhahn², Catia G Malvaso²

Affiliations

¹ School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. Electronic address: helen.winefield@adelaide.edu.au.
² School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
³ School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; School of Psychology, Social Work and Social Policy, University of South Australia, South Australia, Australia.

PMID: 26232594
DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2015.07.004

Abstract

The importance of socially supportive relationships in assisting people to cope with stress and adverse events is well recognised, but the trajectories whereby individuals develop the capacity to attract those supports have been infrequently studied. Taking advantage of a substantial longitudinal data set, we aimed to explore the precursors during mid-adolescence, of satisfaction with social supports in young adulthood. Both personality factors (extraversion, neuroticism) and adolescent experiences of high-quality interpersonal relationships with parents and peers were hypothesised to predict subsequent satisfactory supports; we wished to compare the influence of these factors. Participants in a study of the school to work transition (N = 558) provided psychosocial information at 16-17 years of age and then again six years later at 23, using paper and online questionnaires and standardised measures. Personality and family climate variables both predicted adult social support, with family cohesiveness and neuroticism having the largest roles. The possible implications for mental health promotion are discussed.

Keywords: Adolescents; Family relations; Mental health; Social supports.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Australia / epidemiology
Family / psychology
Female
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Parent-Child Relations
Personal Satisfaction*
Personality
Social Support*
Surveys and Questionnaires