Relations among Social Support Internal Assets and Life Satisfaction

Abstract

Social support is widely acknowledged as having the power to exert a considerable impact on life satisfaction. This study investigated relationships among social supports, psychological factors, and satisfaction with life in a sample of 1,133 Korean adolescents. Moreover, we compared these relationships between genders. Results indicated that support from family members, teachers, or even peers did not have a direct impact on life satisfaction for male adolescents. However, these forms of social support were found to have a significant, indirect relationship with life satisfaction for male adolescents by mediating psychological factors. In contrast, family support, peer support, and teacher support had a direct relationship with life satisfaction in female adolescents. Additionally, among psychological factors, self-efficacy was found to have mediating effects on the relationship between adult social support and life satisfaction. The results and implications of the study are discussed.