Getting by with a little help from self and others: self-esteem and social support as resources during early adolescence.
Influences of social support and self-esteem on adjustment in early adolescence were investigated in a 2-year longitudinal study (N = 350). Multi-informant data (youth and parent) were used to assess both overall levels and balance in peer- versus adult-oriented sources for social support and self-esteem. Findings obtained using latent growth-curve modeling were consistent with self-esteem mediating effects of social support on both emotional and behavioral adjustment. Lack of balance in social support and self-esteem in the direction of stronger support and esteem from peer-oriented sources predicted greater levels and rates of growth in behavioral problems. Results indicate a need for process-oriented models of social support and self-esteem and sensitivity to patterning of sources for each resource relative to adaptive demands of early adolescence.
DuBois
David L
DL
Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia, 65211, USA. DuBoisD@missouri.edu
Burk-Braxton
Carol
C
Swenson
Lance P
LP
Tevendale
Heather D
HD
Lockerd
Erika M
EM
Moran
Benjamin L
BL
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001519:Behavior; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004644:Emotions; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010379:Peer Group; D012649:Self Concept; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires