Publication Date

1990

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Waas, Gregory A.

Degree Name

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Legacy Department

Department of Psychology

LCSH

Stress in adolescence; Adolescent psychology; Adjustment (Psychology) in adolescence--Social aspects

Abstract

A total of 505 11th and 12th grade students participated In a study Investigating social support as a moderator of adjustment among adolescents experiencing elevated levels of life stress. Subjects completed a self-report questionnaire assessing life stress, family social support, and peer social support. In addition, both internalizing and externalizing manifestations of stress were studied through the use of depression and delinquency scales. Results indicated that family social support was an important moderator variable both for depression and delinquency. Peer social support also emerged as an important buffer in the relationship between stress and depression, but was not a consistent moderator of adolescents' delinquent behaviors. In addition, the sex of the adolescent was an Important variable in understanding the differential effects of stress on psychological adjustment. The complexity of the social support construct and its role as a moderator variable among adolescents experiencing high levels of stress was discussed.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references (pages 78-87)

Extent

111 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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