A prospective study of the relative contribution of adolescent peer support quantity and quality to depressive symptoms.

ABSTRACT:

Background

During adolescence, peer support has an increasingly important role in identity formation and well-being. Prior research has identified that lack of social support from peers in adolescence is a potent risk factor for depression. Two ways that social support has been operationalized is by the number of one's friends (i.e., 'quantity') and perception of one's network (i.e., 'quality'). Typically, these aspects of peer support are assessed separately.

Methods

Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N = 3,857), this study sought to test whether (1) adolescent depression relates to having fewer friends versus lower quality friendships, (2) these aspects of adolescent peer support prospectively predict depression in adulthood, (3)

SUBMITTER: Letkiewicz AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10524209 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature