Adolescents Perceived Social Supports and Psychological Distress Development During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Abstract
The CO VID-19 pandemic has impacted nearly all aspects of daily living and research supports increasing rates of psychological distress in adult populations. However, less is known regarding how this time period has impacted adolescents, particularly as the pandemic has evolved and has presented with varying waves of intensity. Moreover, studies that have included adolescent populations have often not considered the unique developmental demands this population faces and how experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic may hinder their developmental trajectory, particularly within a multifaceted social context. The primary aim of this study was to utilize a multicultural lens to explore the impact of social distancing protocols on adolescents perceived social supports across the domains of parent, close friend, classmate, school, and teacher and subsequent relationship to self-esteem and psychological distress development. Social media use was also investigated in relation to perceived social support and psychological distress. Results indicated that adolescents demonstrated overall low levels of anxiety and depression and high levels of perceived social supports. Social media may have facilitated adolescents social connectedness to their close friends. Adolescents also perceived the most support from their close friends and placed the most importance on support from their close friends. However, perceived social support across all domains is vital for adolescent development and adolescents continue to rely on supports from multiple domains. Adolescents who identify as nonbinary reported the lowest perceived social support and also reported significantly higher levels of anxiety when compared to males and significantly higher levels of depression when compared to males and females. Perceived social support is a protective buffer for adolescents and facilitating supportive relationships is one mechanism to enhance adolescent mental health.
Subject Area
Psychology
Recommended Citation
Holmes, Kimrey, "Adolescents Perceived Social Supports and Psychological Distress Development During the COVID-19 Pandemic" (2022). ETD Collection for Pace University. AAI29443798.
https://digitalcommons.pace.edu/dissertations/AAI29443798
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