Perceived Social Support and Self-Esteem towards Gender Roles: Contributing Factors in Adolescents

Abstract

The study aims to examine the relationship between self-esteem and perceived social support among the Malaysian adolescents. Gender differences of perceived social support and self-esteem among the respondents were also investigated. To achieve the objectives of the study, a survey was conducted with a relatively large (n=460) random samples of adolescents, aged 16-20, drawn from schools, colleges and universities in Malaysia. The Self-esteem Rating Scale (SERS) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were used in the study. The results indicated that there were no gender differences in perceived social support and self-esteem among adolescents. However, a positive correlation was found between perceived social support and self-esteem. The study also found peer support was the highest form of perceived social support.

Perceived social support and psychological wellbeing among Nepalese adolescents: the mediating role of self-esteem

“…Correlation analysis showed that PSS, SE and PWB had significant relationship with each other. These results are consistent with previous studies that reported the relationship between PSS and SE [14,16,21,32,[40][41][42][43], PSS and different aspects of wellbeing [12,[14][15][16][43][44][45], SE and wellbeing as well as happiness [14,16,20,43,46]. Moreover, the most important finding of this study is that SE fully mediated the relationship between PSS and PWB suggesting adolescents with high levels of social support are likely to have higher SE which in turn enhances their PWB.…”

“…Female adolescents as compared to male adolescents are more oriented toward peers for social support and are also more satisfied with the support gained from their peers [31]. However, no gender differences in SE and PSS were reported in the study conducted among the Malaysian adolescents [32]. Based on the literature review it can be concluded that much research has been done in relation to gender differences in PSS, SE and PWB but results are inconclusive.…”

The Relationship Between Child Maltreatment and Dispositional Envy and the Mediating Effect of Self-Esteem and Social Support in Young Adults

“…Child physical abuse has been negatively associated with perceptions of support from family and friends and is generally related to lower levels of perceived social support in adulthood ( Runtz and Schallow, 1997 ; Crouch et al, 2001 ; Vranceanu et al, 2007 ; Sperry and Widom, 2013 ). Students with lower perceived levels of social support from their classmates are more likely to have lower levels of self-esteem and higher levels of depression ( Wolchik et al, 1989 ; Tam et al, 2011 ). Numerous empirical studies have shown that higher perceived social support is positively correlated with high self-esteem ( Hoffman et al, 1988 ; Tam et al, 2011 ; Kong et al, 2012b ; Kong and You, 2013 ).…”

“…Students with lower perceived levels of social support from their classmates are more likely to have lower levels of self-esteem and higher levels of depression ( Wolchik et al, 1989 ; Tam et al, 2011 ). Numerous empirical studies have shown that higher perceived social support is positively correlated with high self-esteem ( Hoffman et al, 1988 ; Tam et al, 2011 ; Kong et al, 2012b ; Kong and You, 2013 ). The mediating effect of self-esteem is in line with previous findings.…”

“…Perceived social support is a decisive factor in building high self-esteem ( Rosenberg, 1979 ; Mruk, 2006 ). Numerous empirical studies have shown that perceived social support is significantly positively correlated with self-esteem ( Hoffman et al, 1988 ; Tam et al, 2011 ; Kong et al, 2012b ; Kong and You, 2013 ). This means that adequate social support, received from family, friends, or significant others, is conducive to high self-esteem.…”