Early Adolescent Family Experiences and Perceived Social Support in Young Adulthood

Abstract

Although the protective role of social support is well established in the health literature, antecedents of perceived social support are not well understood. Research on family experiential factors during early adolescence, an important psychosocial developmental period in the life course, represents a promising line of inquiry. Using a sample of young adults in Miami-Dade County, Florida ( N = 1,267) involving longitudinal data spanning 8 years, we evaluated the importance of early adolescent family experiences (socioeconomic status, family structure, family support, family pride, parent derogation) on perceived family and friend support in young adulthood. Results indicated that early family experiences, especially negative experiences, were associated with lower perceived family and friend support in young adulthood. Moreover, these associations were independent of early childhood-adolescent behavioral disorders (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct), psychological disorders (major depression, anxiety), substance use disorders, and lifetime social adversity. The importance of family experiences during early adolescence for later perceived social support is discussed.