Assessing the Mediating Role of Social Support in Childhood Maltreatment and Psychopathology Among College Students in Northern Ireland

Abstract

The detrimental impact of early trauma, particularly childhood maltreatment, on mental health is well documented. Although it is understood that social support can act as a protective factor toward mental health for children who experience such adversity, few studies have addressed the experience of childhood maltreatment and the important function of social support in adulthood. The current study aimed to assess the mediating role of social support in the relationship between childhood experiences of maltreatment and mental health outcomes including anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and problematic alcohol use in a sample of university students ( N = 640) from Northern Ireland. Results of binary logistic regression analyses indicated that those reporting experiences of childhood maltreatment were at increased odds of mental health outcomes of PTSD, anxiety, and depression, but not alcohol use. Those reporting greater social support were significantly less likely to report on these mental health outcomes. In addition, the indirect paths from childhood maltreatment through social support to PTSD, depression, and anxiety were all significant, suggesting that social support, particularly family support, is a significant mediator of these relationships. Such findings have important implications for the social care response to children experiencing maltreatment and future support for such children as they transition to adolescence and adulthood.

Effect of Different Sources Support on Adaptation in Families of Patient With Moderate-to-Severe Dementia in China

“…27,[29][30][31][32][33][34] As a result, B-social support (including FA, kin support, community support and N-support) was a mediator of stressor and adaptation. [78][79][80] Still other studies have hypothesized that B-social support was a moderator of stressor and adaptation. [81][82][83][84][85] Among them, there were several studies talking about caregiving process.…”

Parents’ perceived social support and children’s psychological adjustment

“…advices and feedback regarding different aspects of personal and family life), and emotional (e.g. empathy and expressing caring) (Lagdon et al., 2018). Functional support refers to the type of support received and structural support to the number and roles of social network members (Lagdon et al., 2018).…”

“…empathy and expressing caring) (Lagdon et al., 2018). Functional support refers to the type of support received and structural support to the number and roles of social network members (Lagdon et al., 2018). Furthermore, functional support can be divided into three types: emotional support, which refers to aspects such as intimacy, affection, comfort, and care; tangible support, which refers to the provision of material assistance; and informational support, which refers to advice, guidance, or relevant information (Barrera, 1986; Lagdon et al., 2018).…”

Associations Among Depressive Symptoms, Childhood Abuse, Neuroticism, Social Support, and Coping Style in the Population Covering General Adults, Depressed Patients, Bipolar Disorder Patients, and High Risk Population for Depression

“…Social support involves affection and warmth, which helps individuals with building resilience and coping with adverse circumstances effectively. By offering feelings of being accompanied and greater immunity toward negative mental health outcomes associated with childhood maltreatment (Reinelt et al, 2015), social support can play an important role in protecting against mental disorders (Sperry and Widom, 2013; Lagdon et al, 2018). For example, Lagdon et al (2018) reported that individuals who perceived greater social support were significantly less likely to develop depression in a group of university students who had experienced childhood maltreatment.…”

“…By offering feelings of being accompanied and greater immunity toward negative mental health outcomes associated with childhood maltreatment (Reinelt et al, 2015), social support can play an important role in protecting against mental disorders (Sperry and Widom, 2013; Lagdon et al, 2018). For example, Lagdon et al (2018) reported that individuals who perceived greater social support were significantly less likely to develop depression in a group of university students who had experienced childhood maltreatment. Similarly, Seeds et al (2010) investigated the mediating role of social support between childhood maltreatment and adolescent depression and found that adolescents who experienced abuse might feel that they were isolated from their support system and others would be unavailable when they need assistance.…”