Pubertal status and social support-seeking behavior in early adolescents.

Abstract

This descriptive investigation was designed to explore the social support-seeking behaviors in pubescent adolescents. In addition to describing potential sources of support in three life problem situations, this study examined relationships between actual pubertal status and support-seeking behaviors in 24 female and 40 male adolescents. A social support instrument was designed for use with this specific population, measuring the likelihood of seeking support from six sources in three problem situations. Content validity and a Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient of 0.92 were established for this instrument, which was administered during a one-time interview. Tanner staging was utilized to assess pubertal status. An analysis of variance indicated that there were significant differences in support scores according to the source and according to type of life problem situation. Pubertal status significantly correlated only with support seeking from same-sex friends and from opposite-sex friends. Gender differences in support-seeking behaviors were reported. Young adolescent females placed significantly higher reliance on female rather than male friends for needed support, while early adolescent males reported likely utilization of friends of both sexes for needed support. 0 1988 by Crone & Stratton, Inc.