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Relationship of life events and social support with psychological dysfunction among adolescents

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Abstract

Relationships among major life events, perceived social support, and psychological disorder were assessed in a sample of older adolescents. Negative life events and satisfaction with social support were significantly and independently related to a range of psychological symptoms. Further, the relationship between negative events and disorder was moderated by gender, the types of events experienced, and anticipated change in the psychosocial environment. The importance of the use of standardized and psychometrically sound measures of life events, social support, and psychological disorder is highlighted.

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Received his Ph.D. from UCLA in 1980. An assistant professor, he is currently investigating stress and coping among children and adolescents.

Received her Ph.D. from the University of Vermont in 1985. An assistant professor, she is currently studying social support.

Received Ed. M. from Harvard Universtiy. He is a doctoral student in clinical psychology interested in the role of social support in coping with stress during adolescence.

Received her BA from the University of Vermont. She is a doctoral student in clinical psychology.

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Compas, B.E., Slavin, L.A., Wagner, B.M. et al. Relationship of life events and social support with psychological dysfunction among adolescents. J Youth Adolescence 15, 205–221 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02139123

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02139123

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