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Asian adolescents’ perceptions of parent, peer, and school support and psychological adjustment: The mediating role of dispositional optimism

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Abstract

This investigation examines the respective contributions of perceived support from parents, peers, and school to the psychological adjustment of 519 thirteen-year-old Asian adolescents from a middle school in Singapore, and the mediating role dispositional optimism plays in these relationships. The findings suggest that positive supportive relationships with parents, peers, and the school are important contextual factors influencing the psychological well-being of these adolescents. Dispositional optimism partially mediates support from each of these three sources and psychological adjustment. Sex differences were noted. This study contributes to a small body of research highlighting the role of a positive mechanism that underpins emotional wellbeing and psychological adaptation in the three developmental contexts that are important in shaping the beliefs, thinking and behavior of the growing Asian adolescent, particularly with respect to girls. Implications arising from this study are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

    Wan Har Chong, Vivien S. Huan, Lay See Yeo & Rebecca P. Ang

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  1. Wan Har Chong
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  2. Vivien S. Huan
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  3. Lay See Yeo
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  4. Rebecca P. Ang
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Correspondence to Wan Har Chong.

Additional information

This study was supported by the Academic Research Fund grant (RI 5/04 YLS) from National Institute of Education to Lay See Yeo.

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Chong, W.H., Huan, V.S., Yeo, L.S. et al. Asian adolescents’ perceptions of parent, peer, and school support and psychological adjustment: The mediating role of dispositional optimism. Curr Psychol 25, 212–228 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-006-1004-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-006-1004-6

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