The Moderator-Mediator Role of Social Support in Early Adolescents

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine social support as both a mediator and a moderator of the relationship between perceived stress and symptom patterns in early adolescents. Data were collected from 148 early adolescent boys and girls, ages 12 to 14, who responded to the Perceived Stress Scale, the Personal Resource Questionnaire 85-Part II, and the Symptom Pattern Scale. Using multiple regression analysis procedures specified for the testing of moderation and mediation, results indicated that social support did not play a moderating role in the relationship between perceived stress and symptom patterns, but social support did play a mediating role in this relationship. The findings are interpreted within the two major theoretical orientations that guided the study.

Social Relationships at Work: Moderator or Mediator of the Association Between Role Variables and Burnout?

“…The results obtained confirmed both hypotheses by showing that the relationships between both types of role stressors (role conflict and role clarity) and burnout were partially mediated by both forms of social relationships at work (with supervisors and colleagues). These results are clearly consistent with most previous studies which confirm the potential mediating role of social relationships in the chain of events linking stress to various forms of illnesses (Choenarom et al, 2005;Rwampororo, 2001;Yarcheski & Mahon, 1999; but see Gonzalez, 1997). Similarly, these results also appear consistent with the propositions from Lazarus and Folkman's (1984) transactional model of stress, which stipulates that social support represents a mediator in a complex system of relations linking stress to physical and mental illnesses.…”

“…However, other studies failed to replicate these results (Chappell & Novak, 1992;Ross, Altmaier, & Russell, 1989). Similarly, the results equally conflict regarding the possibility of social support mediating the relationships between stress and burnout (Choenarom, Williams, & Hagerty, 2005;Gonzalez, 1997;Rwampororo, 2001;Yarcheski & Mahon, 1999).…”

Psychosocial Moderators of Perceived Stress, Anxiety and Depression in University Students: An International Study

“…Since Cohen and Wills' proposal of the stress-buffering hypothesis, many researchers have tested this process, however the literature contains inconsistent findings. Some studies have demonstrated support for a buffering model of perceived social support consistent with the stress-buffering hypothesis [25] while others have only found support for a main effect model of perceived social support [26].…”

The Role of Sense of Belonging and Social Support on Stress and Depression in Individuals With Depression

“…A substantial body of research has demonstrated that stress and depression form a vicious cycle whereby the one aggravates the other (Franks & Faux, 1990;Hammen, 1991;Kessler, 1997;Kessler & Magee, 1993;Yarcheski & Mahon, 1999). According to Wheatley (1997), when stress is long lasting, depression may develop insidiously under the cloak of chronic stress symptoms, whereas depression, in turn, inhibits the ability to cope with stress.…”