Association Between Social Support Profiles and Psychological Functioning Among Early and Late Adolescents

• In Event: Psychological and Physical Safety at School: Examining a Social Determinant

Abstract

The study examined the association between social support profiles and psychological functioning among 7th and 11th grade students in California, respectively. Latent profile analysis and mixture regression modeling were conducted to examine the number and nature of social support classes among early and late adolescents, how each profile relating to psychological functioning, and the moderating effect of gender in these relations. The results indicated five social support profiles in both grade levels. Psychological well-being was differentiated the profiles among students in both grade levels. Gender effect in the associations between social support profiles and psychological functioning was stronger among early adolescents than late adolescents. Impact of social support is determined by the combinations of different support sources, age, and gender.

Authors

• Maggie Chan, University of California - Santa Barbara

• Jill D. Sharkey, University of California - Santa Barbara

• Karen L. Nylund-Gibson, University of California - Santa Barbara

• Erin Dowdy, University of California - Santa Barbara