Abstract
A large body of literature has examined the relations between social support and depression. However, the exact nature and direction of these relations are not well understood. This study explored the relations between specific types of social support (peer support and teacher support) and depression. Adolescents (ages 11 to 17) for the first time (N = 2453) participated in a two-wave, 6-month longitudinal study. Structural equation modeling was used to test a social causation model (deficits in social support increase the likelihood of depression), interpersonal theories of depression (depression leads to social erosion), and a reciprocal influence model. Depression influenced peer support significantly and negatively. By contrast, the social causation model was not supported. These results held for males and females. Findings suggested that depression resulted in social support erosion. However, the effect was specific to perceived peer support but not to perceived teacher support.
Highlights
Adolescence is a time of transition owing to rapid changes in physical, psychological, and social development (Vansteenkiste et al, 2012; Hein et al, 2015)
Depression was negatively correlated with teacher support and peer support
Depression at Time 1 accounted for 36.4% of the variance in depression at Time 2. This longitudinal study examined the causal relations among teacher support, peer support and depression among adolescents in China
Summary
Adolescence is a time of transition owing to rapid changes in physical, psychological, and social development (Vansteenkiste et al, 2012; Hein et al, 2015). This transitional period is characterized by a decline in parental reliance and an increase in interactions with teachers and peers (Soenens et al, 2012). Many studies suggest that social support is linked to low depression (e.g., Stice et al, 2004; Wight et al, 2006; Ellonen et al, 2008; Dingfelder et al, 2010). A 5-year longitudinal study indicated that teacher emotional support decreased adolescent depression (Pössel et al, 2013). The arguments about the relations between perceived social support and depression are as follows
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