A Prospective Study of Life Stress, Social Support, and Adaptation in Early Adolescence

Abstract

This study employed a 2-year longitudinal design to examine the relation of stressful life events and social supports to psychological distress and school performance among 166 early adolescents (mean age = 13.5 years). A prospective approach was utilized to control for initial levels of adjustment when examining the relation of Time 1 stress and support variables to Time 2 psychological distress and school performance. Both stress and support variables made significant contributions to the prediction of subsequent psychological distress. Stresses, but not supports, made a significant contribution to the prediction of subsequent school performance. Evidence for reciprocal and interactive linkages was also found, including effects of psychological distress and school performance on subsequent stresses and supports, and greater adaptive impact of school-based supportive resources under conditions of heightened risk outside of school. Implications for ecological and transactional models of development relating to the targeting and efficacy of preventive efforts are discussed.

Developmental risks and psychosocial adjustment among low-income Brazilian youth

“…US-based research indicates that higher levels of risk exposure are linked to decrements in psychological and behavioral adjustment (e.g., Clark & Miller, 1998;Compas et al, 1989;DuBois et al, 1992). For example, exposure to violence in the family and in the community is associated with externalizing and internalizing problems (see Margolin & Gordis, 2000, for review).…”

“…We assumed that risks preceded adjustment, an assumption supported by longitudinal studies conducted in the United States (e.g., Compas et al, 1989;DuBois et al, 1992). However, in keeping with the notion that individuals actively select their activities and environments (e.g., Lerner, 1982), risk and adjustment are likely to interrelate in a dynamic and reciprocal fashion.…”

“…exposure to risk factors is linked to decrements in psychological, behavioral, and social adjustment (e.g., Compas, Howell, Phares, Williams, & Giunta, 1989;Cowan, Cowan, & Schulz, 1996;DuBois, Felner, Brand, Adan, & Evans, 1992;Gutman, Sameroff, & Cole, 2003). For example, exposure to stressful life events has been linked to psychological distress, psychopathology, and substance abuse (see Clark & Miller, 1998, for review).…”

Social Networks and Daily Activities of Street Youth in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

“…You have to risk your life in exchange for food, clothes. [Male,17] Continued exposure to multiple life stressors has been linked to negative long-term outcomes (e.g., Compas, Howell, Phares, Williams, & Giunta, 1989;DuBois, Felner, Brand, Adan, & Evans, 1992).…”

Exploring the Relationships between Perceptions of Peer Prejudice, School Attendance, and Academic Performance among Adolescent Youth

“…Existing research indicates that Caucasian adolescents have a generally positive school experience with factors including teacher and peer support contributing to their overall academic success [33,42]. Kuperminc et al [43] examined racial/ethnic differences in school adjustment among adolescents and found Caucasians had significantly less conflict with their peers, compared to African American and Hispanic adolescents.…”