The Relationship Between Perceived Stress and Adolescent Depression: The Roles of Social Support and Gender

Abstract

In this study, we explored the roles of differential social support in strengthening capability to cope with stress for positive responding against depressive symptoms and further explored the moderating role of gender with a sample of 1,674 junior high school students. Participants responded to a series of scales including their levels of perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and quality of social supports. The results evidenced the mediating roles of family and others' support in the relationship between perceived stress and depression and the mediating effects were found to fit only boys instead of girls. What's more, the moderating effect of social support between perceived stress and depression was only found in the subcategory of friend support. The moderating effect of friend support between perceived stress and depression was found to have significant gender differences. The significance and limitations of the results were discussed.

Extraversion and happiness: The mediating role of social support and hope

“…The present study, therefore, focuses on the effect of perceived, rather than received, social support on happiness. Past studies (e.g., Lakey, ; Zhang, Yan, Zhao, & Yuan, ) have led us to define perceived social support as the extent to which people believe that friends, family, and others are able to help (e.g., provide tangible or informational assistance) when necessary.…”

Evaluating the Perceived Stress Scale among UK university students: implications for stress measurement and management

“…Within the UK student group accurate measurement and conceptualisation of perceived stress is vital because high stress levels are associated with a range of negative outcomes, including depression (Zhang et al 2015), suicidal ideation (Abdollahi et al 2015), and lower subjective wellbeing (Denovan and Macaskill 2016). Problems appear particularly acute within students below the age of 26 because they are undertaking the transition to adulthood (Macaskill 2013).…”

Is Social Support a Cause or Consequence of Depression? A Longitudinal Study of Adolescents

“…Many studies suggest that social support is linked to low depression (e.g., Stice et al, 2004 ; Wight et al, 2006 ; Ellonen et al, 2008 ; Dingfelder et al, 2010 ). Family support (especially parental support) and friend support may reduce adolescent depression ( Zhang et al, 2015 ; van Harmelen et al, 2016 ; Chang et al, 2018 ). Teacher support may be also a protective factor against depression (e.g., Reddy et al, 2003 ; Rueger et al, 2010 , 2016 ).…”