title: Effects of perceived social support and family demands on college students' mental well-being: A cross-cultural investigation.
abstract: The effects of perceived social support and family demands on college students' mental well-being (perceived stress and depression) were assessed in 2 samples of Jordanian and Turkish college students. Statistically significant negative correlations were found between perceived support and mental well-being. Multiple regression analyses showed that perceived family support was a better predictor of mental well-being for Jordanian students, while perceived support from friends was a better predictor of mental well-being for Turkish students. Perceived family demands were stronger predictors of mental well-being for participants from both ethnic groups. Jordanian and Turkish participants who perceived their families to be too demanding were more likely to report higher depression and stress levels. None of the interactions between social support or family demands and either of the 2 demographic variables were statistically significant. These findings provide a more nuanced view of the relationship between social support and mental health among college students, and point to the relevance of some cultural and situational factors. They also draw further attention to the detrimental effects of unrealistic family demands and pressures on the mental health of college youths.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Program, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Yacoub
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Khallad
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
authors.forename: Fares
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jabr
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D005190:Family / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007597:Jordan / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D010465:Perception; D012944:Social Support; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014421:Turkey / Q000208:ethnology; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Culture; Family demands; Gender; Mental well-being; Social support; Socioeconomic status