Support In Times Of Need Research Articles

Navigating parenthood in the face of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A qualitative exploration of partner experiences.

Among people diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), there are parents with children living at home. Children in families experiencing severe illness are exposed to stress and health risks. Since 2010, healthcare personnel in Norway must assess whether patients have children under 18 years of age and make sure the children's needs for support are met. A child's ability to cope with family life affected by a serious illness depends on how the parent without the disease manages the situation. Little is known about how the partner of someone affected by ALS manages being next of kin and a parent simultaneously, and what kind of support they need. During 2021-2022, six semi-structured interviews were conducted with partners to persons with ALS, whom had children living at home. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed through qualitative content analysis. Three themes with subthemes emerged: (1) Together, yet alone; (a) restricted home life, (b) missing the sharing of responsibilities and tasks as equal parents, and (c) caught between children's and partner's needs; (2) Experience of coping while waiting for death; (a) cherishing the moments, (b) sense of coping and concern, and (c) ensuring to get recharged; and (3) Support in times of need; (a) difficult to ask the network for help and (b) the healthcare system does not see the whole family. Our respondents felt alone, caught between the needs of their children and partner, without necessary support from the services, and were left to handle everyday life with all new challenges on their own. Future healthcare services need to consider the challenges faced by families dealing with life-limiting illnesses. A family-focused perspective is needed, so is peer support and interventions that address both emotional and practical aspects of life with an ill partner.

Perceptions of a Youth-Serving Training Program: A case study

Capturing the voices of individuals working in youth-serving systems is invaluable to understanding what makes for a meaningful and beneficial training experience. One such training program, Youth Thrive, was developed by the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) to promote the health and well-being of youth (ages 9-26) by introducing research on youth development, neuroscience, trauma, and resilience to youth-serving agencies. The culmination of these components inspired Youth Thrive’s use of protective and promotive factors to understand and advocate with and for youths. These factors included youth resilience, social connections, knowledge of adolescent development, concrete support in times of need, and cognitive and socialemotional competence. Recognizing that the effectiveness of youth-based trainings is contingent upon the perceptions and experiences it offers participants. This qualitative and illustrative case study sought to answer the following questions: (1) How do participants perceive the training? and (2) How has the experience helped participants in their youth-serving roles? In turn, these responses can provide us with greater understanding of what successful youth-serving intervention trainings might embody. Interviews were conducted with 17 participants with varying levels of experience in the deployment of youth services. The following themes were uncovered at the conclusion of the analysis stage: (1) Bond over common language; (2) Youth-centered focus; (3) Reaffirming practitioner’s approaches in practice; and (4) Building a community of learners. In addition, internal training material were collected and reviewed. Discussion of strategies, including a feedback loop, are explored.

Agricultural cooperative and members’ resilience in Kita and Yanfolila cercles of Mali

The study examined the role of agricultural cooperatives in strengthening the resilience and social fabric of rural communities in the Kita and Yanfolila regions of Mali. Using a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods, data was collected from 149 participants, including cooperative members and non-members, through structured surveys and focus group discussions. It explored the challenges faced by farmers, the benefits of cooperative membership, the dynamics of social cohesion within these cooperatives, the nuances of inclusion, and conducted a comparative analysis between cooperative members and non-members. The communities in Kita and Yanfolila faced multiple adversities that significantly affected their resilience, livelihoods and overall well-being. Drought emerged as the most serious problem, affecting the entire population and underscoring its profound impact on agriculture and welfare. Flooding was also a significant threat, exacerbating food insecurity. While terrorist activities and COVID-19 seemed less pressing due to their limited occurrence or awareness at the time, vigilance and awareness remained key. The study highlighted the myriad benefits of cooperative membership and how it empowered members through agricultural training, access to resources and financial stability. In particular, cooperatives have been instrumental in addressing water scarcity and ensuring sustainable access through initiatives such as boreholes and pumping equipment, thereby increasing agricultural productivity and food security. The study also highlighted the key role of cooperatives in fostering social cohesion, promoting conflict resolution and serving as networking platforms. Members praised cooperatives for providing emotional and material support in times of need, disseminating conflict management techniques and promoting transparent, collective decision-making processes. However, there was a noticeable gap in perceptions between cooperative members and non-members regarding the role of cooperatives in conflict resolution. Non-members were less confident, possibly due to a lack of exposure or understanding of cooperative mechanisms. Inclusivity emerged as a key issue, with discussions highlighting the challenge of extending benefits to non-members, which could lead to feelings of exclusion. Income disparities between members and non-members further exacerbated issues of social cohesion. The study also highlighted the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing disrupted supply chains, reduced incomes, increased unemployment and heightened food insecurity in rural communities. Despite this, agricultural cooperatives stepped up by disseminating information, distributing essential supplies and promoting hygiene practices. Key words: Agricultural cooperative, resilience, peacebuilding, social cohesion, COVID-19, Mali

The Logic of Tong (Togetherness) or Why Guanxi Works in Chinese Societies?

Abstract This article provides an analysis of the cultural meaning of guanxi (關係) in Chinese societies, specifically in the context of a workplace situation in Taiwan. Guanxi is a concept based on Confucian ethics, which was originally a positive concept connoting human closeness, has transformed into a manipulative and instrumentally used variant called “guanxi-practice”(關係學). The article argues that an effective way to understand the cultural meaning of guanxi is to examine the Chinese kinship system, which shares similarities with interpersonal relationships in Chinese culture. The guiding principle of Chinese familial ethics, tong (同), refers to members sharing the same breath who are expected to offer emotional and financial support in times of need. The study analyses the exchange of guanxi-work among men in Taiwanese society to clarify the logic of guanxi operation. The study aims to contribute to the broader discussion on the cultural meaning of guanxi in Chinese societies, explaining why guanxi can empower and entitle participants to seek favors and benefit from one another.

Comparing situational influences on differential healthcare utilization trajectories in patients on home palliative care: A qualitative study.

Patients with terminal cancer receiving home palliative care present differential healthcare utilization trajectories before death. It remains unclear which situational elements influence these trajectories among disparate patient groups. The aim of this study was to compare situational influences on "persistently high" and "low stable" trajectories of healthcare utilization in patients who received palliative care support at home. Bereaved family caregivers were recruited from our prior quantitative study investigating healthcare utilization trajectories in oncology patients on home-based palliative care. In-depth interviews were conducted with 30 family caregivers. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Analysis of data uncovered how the 2 utilization trajectories were influenced by the interplay of 1 or more of 4 situational elements. Perceived symptom control in patients, influenced by their determination to die at home, shapes the susceptibility to situational contingencies, resulting in differential utilization trajectories. Caregivers' mental readiness in dealing with unexpected circumstances has a significant impact on the overall manageability of care, ultimately affecting decisions related to healthcare utilization. The concordance between symptom needs and scope of homecare services in a given situation proves to be an important determinant. Lastly, perceived accessibility to informal support in times of need acts as a contextual reinforcement, either preventing or precipitating decisions regarding healthcare utilizations. Our findings hold important implications for the provision of homecare services, in particular, the need for comprehensive assessment of end-of-life wishes during homecare enrolment and strengthening psychological preparedness of caregivers. Expansion of home-based clinical interventions tailored to high utilizers, and funding for temporary in-home respite should be considered to optimally manage potentially preventable acute healthcare utilization.

Servant Leadership, Cultural Dimension, and Adversity Quotient: A Causal Model on Organizational Resilience of the Local Government Units’ Employees in Davao Region

Purpose: The study aimed to determine the best-fit model for organizational resilience of local government unit employees regarding servant leadership, cultural dimension, and employees' adversity quotient. The descriptive-causal method and non-experimental quantitative research design were applied. Organizations considerably give these effects of the worrying manifestations attention to guarantee social support in times of need. Resilient leaders should have access to trusted peers and social groups, time, reflection, collaboration, and conversational development chances that request to reduce social seclusion and more chances for partnerships. In this context, the researcher was prompted to conduct the study to determine whether servant leadership, cultural dimension, adversity quotient, and the employees' resilience, especially in local government units, should be strengthened in response to adverse circumstances. Therefore, this would fill the gap, as supported by the literature regarding the local setting.
 Methodology: Three hundred ninety-three employees from six cities in Davao Region were surveyed using standardized adapted instruments. The survey questionnaire used was validated and approved by experts. The respondents were selected through a stratified sampling technique. Data were analyzed using the Mean, Pearson r, Regression Analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling.
 Findings: Results revealed that all variables gained a very high level. The result of the study also revealed an overall significant relationship and influence between the exogenous and endogenous variables. Furthermore, the best-fit model for organizational resilience was generated and demonstrated a direct effect in Model 5, and the goodness of fit measures' requirements were met. It is detected that there is a correlation between the exogenous and Endogenous variables. The important relationship between the exogenous and endogenous variables, which predicts the study's findings, is a pronouncement that being resilient and adverse to a chaotic situation could be effective and useful to withstand an employee's life
 Recommendations: The suggestion between the Exogenous and Endogenous in creating organizational resilience in municipal governments should be essentially measured. This is recommended to the Human Resource Management that embraces and exercises the practice of being efficient in their work and responsibilities to impart individual adversity consciousness and cultivate the employees from training and development.

Who Do We Turn to and What Do We Get? Cultural Differences in Attachment Structure and Function Among East Asian and Western Individuals.

To whom do we turn for support in times of need, and what does the support from close others convey? The present research investigated how the structure and function of attachment differ for individuals in East Asian and Western cultures. In three studies, using survey and daily diary data, we examined the role of the romantic partner as an attachment figure, and the consequences of receiving responsive support in close relationships among individuals in Korea and the United States. As expected, the role of the romantic partner as an attachment figure was less emphasized for Koreans compared with U.S. participants. Also, responsive support from close others was more strongly linked to affiliation-related end states (i.e., in-group agency) for Koreans than U.S. individuals. The present research demonstrates the need to consider nuanced cultural influences in the attachment literature for the broader application of the theory.

The association between transient childhood psychotic experiences and psychosocial outcomes in young adulthood: Examining the role of mental disorders and adult attachment.

Evidence suggest individuals with mental disorders and psychotic experiences (PE), even transient PE, show poorer psychosocial outcomes relative to those with mental disorders. The concept of "attachment" is hypothesized as the mechanism by which people seek support in times of need. This can be measured as discrete styles or as positive (low avoidance/anxiety)/negative (high avoidance/anxiety) dimensions. Adult attachment has previously been examined on PE risk factors, but not outcomes. This study aimed to examine the relationship between transient childhood PE and adult psychosocial outcomes, comparing those with and without mental disorders. Second, to examine the role of adult attachment. Participants (n=103) attended baseline (age 11-13) and 10-year follow-up. PE and mental disorders were measured using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-aged Children. Attachment and outcomes were measured using self-report measures. Analysis compared those with PE (with/without mental disorders), and mental disorders without PE, to controls, using linear and Poisson regression. PE was associated with lower self-esteem (β=-2.28, p=.03), perceived social support from friends (β=-2.80, p=.01), and higher stress in platonic relationships (IRR=1.64). PE and mental disorders were associated with lower self-esteem (β=-5.74, p=.002), higher stress in romantic (IRR=1.40) and platonic (IRR=1.59) relationships, general stress (β=5.60, p=.006), and mental distress (β=5.67, p=.001). Mental disorders alone was not associated with any measure. Adult attachment dimensions attenuated some results. This paper illustrates the association between transient PE and adult psychosocial outcomes, with & without co-occurring mental disorders, and demonstrates the role of adult attachment.

Mobilizing an Institutional Research Enterprise to Support Pandemic Diagnostic Care: Establishing a Clinical Laboratory Volunteer Operation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a worldwide crisis that created unprecedented challenges for the health care system, including diagnostic laboratories that faced an ever-increasing demand for SARS-CoV-2 testing. To share our experiences mobilizing a large-scale volunteer operation within a diagnostic laboratory in response to the COVID-19 crisis. In particular, during the early stages of the pandemic, research scientists at Vanderbilt University Medical Center were called upon to address challenges put forth by the rapid increase in testing demands. Volunteer scientists became a valuable resource to the clinical laboratory team after stay-at-home orders were in place and rapid diagnostic capabilities for COVID-19 were not yet widespread, thus necessitating significant manual laboratory analysis to support patient care. However, these volunteer efforts were not without challenges, including considerations around the licensure of clinical laboratory workers. Requirements can differ significantly between states and, in our case, were alleviated by an emergency gubernatorial decree. We summarize these experiences here as an operational roadmap for other institutions that wish to leverage biomedical research staff in response to future emergencies. We include recruitment and organizational schemes, as well as results of a survey that details participant experiences and identifies strategies for optimization. Lastly, we present considerations around long-term hosting of clinical laboratory volunteers, beyond just the initial stages of an emergency. Through strategic implementation, scientists can provide diagnostic laboratories with invaluable support in times of need, while maintaining high clinical quality and regulatory compliance.

Urban Ageing, Gender and the Value of the Local Environment: The Experience of Older Women in a Central Neighbourhood of Madrid, Spain

Urban ageing is an emerging domain that mixes two challenges of current societies: the ageing of the population and the increasing urbanisation. While ageing in place has demonstrated numerous benefits, some social sectors question whether the city is the right environment for ageing, since cities are home to many of the social problems that characterise contemporary societies. Urban environments are widely described as rootless in most academic articles, with a focus on the impersonality, transience, and segmentation of links between city dwellers. However, this portrayal coexists with contrasting views of urban life that instead emphasise the importance of the local setting and other experiences of attachment to the place of residence. From the age and gender perspectives, in some urban areas, the neighbourhood plays a fundamental role in the lives of many older women, as a natural setting for interaction and an area conducive to collaborative relationships and practical and emotional support in times of need. This article analyses the role that the local space plays in the lives of older women, the value they attach to it and the meaning they attribute to neighbourhood relations in the local urban environment. In order to analyse this reality, the Universidad (Malasaña) neighbourhood, has been selected as a case study, a central area in Madrid (Spain) exposed to numerous processes of transformation, which shows the highest rate of residential mobility in the area. Despite this reality, in a context marked by new difficulties, the conclusion shows that elderly women have a strong attachment to their neighbourhood. This attachment is not necessarily characterised by deep friendships, but by the existence of a significant social network that responds in case of need.

Association between intergenerational solidarity involving elders and mental health of Indigenous people living off reserve

BackgroundIndigenous elders play an important role in transmitting knowledge, values and practices, hence fostering identity-building through intergenerational solidarity. We aimed to verify the association between intergenerational solidarity involving Indigenous elders and mental health of Indigenous people living off reserve.MethodsWe carried secondary analyses of data for a subsample from the cross-sectional 2012 Aboriginal Peoples Survey (total sample: n = 28,410 Indigenous persons aged ≥6 years old living off reserve; subsample: n = 13,020 aged 18–44 years old). Controlling for age as well as material and social deprivation, we used logistic regressions to verify the association between intergenerational solidarity (proxied as time spent with an elder and potential of turning to an elder or grandparent for support in times of need) and mental health (perceived mental health, mood disorders, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and attempts).ResultsAbout 39 and 9% of the respondents respectively reported having spent time with an elder and would have turned to an elder or grandparent for support in times of need. Women who would not turn to an elder or grandparent for support in times of need were more likely to report fair or poor perceived mental health (OR = 1.69, p = 0.03). Men not spending time with an elder were more likely to experience mood disorders (OR = 1.66, p = 0.004). Women who would not turn to an elder or grandparent for support in times of need were more likely to experience anxiety disorders (OR = 1.57, p = 0.04). Women not spending time with an elder or who would not turn to an elder or grandparent for support in times of need were respectively more likely to have suicidal thoughts (OR = 1.62, p = 0.04) or to have attempted suicide (OR = 3.38, p = 0.04).ConclusionIntergenerational solidarity is associated with better mental health outcomes of Indigenous people living off reserve. These results could guide policies and practices that aim to enhance mental health and wellness in Indigenous populations.

“Showing Everybody’s True Colors”: Informal networks of low-income single mothers and their young children during the COVID-19 pandemic

Extensive evidence suggests low-income mothers depend upon their families and friends for emotional, practical, and economic support in times of need. This is the first study to examine the operation of low-income mothers’ informal support networks and the impact of such networks on maternal well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. We interviewed low-income, single mothers of young children (<12 years; N = 34) twice over Summer 2020 to consider mothers’ decisions around network engagement and how their interactions contributed to their well-being. Consistent with the social capital framework and previous studies, most mothers turned to their networks and exchanged support. Thematic analysis uncovered 4 inter-related themes of mothers’ experiences: (1) discovering emotionally-available networks, (2) navigating resource-limited networks, (3) reassessing network member relationships, and (4) establishing boundaries for in-person contact. Although emotionally valuable, networks could not meet increased economic and child care needs. The COVID-19 pandemic’s economic impact and its impact on time use tested network relationships with some relationships strengthening and others dissolving. Widely-available emotional support was essential to mothers adapting to the pandemic. Safe, affordable child care options coupled with accessible, economic supplements can promote well-being among single mothers and their children.

Cultural differences in social support seeking: The mediating role of empathic concern

Prior research has found that East Asians are less willing than Westerners to seek social support in times of need. What factors account for this cultural difference? Whereas previous research has examined the mediating effect of relational concern, we predicted that empathic concern, which refers to feeling sympathy and concern for people in need and varies by individuals from different cultures, would promote support seeking. We tested the prediction in two studies. In Study 1, European Canadians reported higher empathic concern and a higher frequency of support seeking, compared to the Japanese participants. As predicted, cultural differences in social support seeking were influenced by empathic concern. In Study 2, both empathic concern and relational concern mediated cultural differences in support seeking. Japanese with lower empathic concern but higher relational concern were more reluctant than European Americans to seek social support during stressful times. Finally, loneliness, which was more prevalent among the Japanese than among the European Americans, was partially explained by social support seeking.

Perceived Social Support as a Predictor of Teacher Candidates' Smartphone Cyberloafing

This study investigated whether teacher candidates' perceived social support (PSS) predicts smartphone use during lectures. To achieve the aim of the study, a relational survey model was used. The study sample composed of students studying at the College of Education in Elazığ Province, Turkey, during the 2019-2020 academic semester. The correlation analysis was conducted to determine the relationships among the variables, and hierarchical linear regression analysis was used to determine the predictive effects of demographic characteristics (gender and class) and PSS on smartphone cyberloafing. The results of the study revealed a significant, negative, and low relationship between PSS and smartphone cyberloafing. Social support from family negatively predicted smartphone cyberloafing during lectures, while social support from significant others positively predicted it. Finally, the family and significant other subscales significantly predicted interactive, browsing, and entertainment cyberloafing. In contrast, the friends subscale predicted only interactive cyberloafing. The belief that a sense of trust in family and needed family support in times of need could decrease smartphone cyberloafing and lead teacher candidates to focus more on teaching. Educational institutions should develop policies that involve families at every stage of education, and decisions should be made with the support of experts, institutions, or organizations on problematic issues.

Validation of a Protective and Promotive Factors Measure: The Youth Thrive Survey

This article describes the background, development, and validation of the strengths-based, youth-driven Youth Thrive Survey which measures the 5 protective and promotive factors delineated in the Youth Thrive Framework; specifically: youth resilience, social connections, knowledge of adolescent development, concrete support in times of need, and cognitive and social-emotional competence. Draft instruments were created that included new items and adapted items from existing validated instruments. Revisions were based on feedback from young people who participated in focus groups, cognitive interviews, and field-testing. Cronbach’s alpha was calculated to measure internal consistency and reliability of the full instrument and the 5 protective and promotive factor subscales. Principal component analyses revealed items that did not fit well within the instrument structure and subsequently were eliminated. Analyses of the final version of the instrument showed that the Youth Thrive Survey has high levels of internal consistency and reliability. All alphas for the subscales were greater than 0.80 and the alpha for the full instrument was 0.963. This web-based, self-report survey is appropriate for use by organizations serving young people ages 12 to 26, both those who are involved with child welfare and juvenile justice systems and those who have no history of such involvement. It can be used for assessment and case planning with youth, program evaluation, and continuous quality improvement. The Youth Thrive Survey, available in English and Spanish, shows great promise and utility for organizations that employ positive youth development approaches.

Triadic embeddedness structure in family networks predicts mobile communication response to a sudden natural disaster

Kinship networks are a fundamental social unit in human societies, and like social networks in general, provide social support in times of need. Here, we investigate the impact of sudden environmental shock, the Ms 7.0 2013 Ya’an earthquake, on the mobile communications patterns of local families, which we operationalize using anonymized individual-level mobile telecommunications metadata from family plan subscribers of a major carrier (N = 35,565 people). We demonstrate that families’ communications dynamics after the earthquake depended on their triadic embeddedness structure, a structural metric we propose that reflects the number of dyads in a family triad that share social ties. We find that individuals in more embedded family structures were more likely to first call other family plan members and slower in calling non-family ties immediately after the earthquake; these tendencies were stronger at higher earthquake intensity. In the weeks after the event, individuals in more embedded family structures had more reciprocal communications and contacted more social ties in their broader social network. Overall, families that are structurally more embedded displayed higher levels of intra-family coordination and mobilization of non-family social connections.

Institutional Lending Practices in the Ur III Period (ca. 2110–2003 BCE): the še ur₅-ra-Loans from Ĝirsu-Lagaš

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to investigate the operation of the še ur₅-ra system of institutional loans of barley in late third millennium BCE Babylonia. In particular, it focuses on the še ur₅ -ra-loans stemming from the Ĝirsu-Lagaš province, one of the most important areas for cereal production of the entire Ur III kingdom. The article argues that the še ur₅-ra system, which was based on the availability of large quantities of barley in the provincial network of rural storage facilities, was designed and implemented to (1) reduce food losses, (2) provide state dependents with economic support in times of need, and (3) counteract and mitigate the impact of local crop failures on the institutional workforce at large.

Support in times of need: How depressive symptoms can impact receipt of social support among aging adults in rural South Africa.

The relationship between mental health and receipt of social support is not well understood in low- and middle-income countries. In this paper, we focus on a cohort of older adults (40-plus) in rural South Africa to unpack associations between mental health and receipt of social support, and the extent to which marital status modifies these associations. We use baseline data from a population-based study, Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in South Africa (HAALSI), conducted between 2014 and 2015. Our results suggest that men and women who report depressive symptoms are less likely to receive social support: women are less likely to receive emotional and financial support, and men are less likely to receive physical and financial support. Both men and women who are married or partnered are more likely to receive social support than their non-married counterparts. The association between depressive symptomology and receipt of social support differs for women who are separated/divorced and for men who are widowed. Specifically, the association between having depressive symptoms and receiving physical or financial support is more positive for separated/divorced women than their married/cohabiting counterparts; for men, the association between having depressive symptoms and receiving physical support is more positive for widowed men than their married/cohabiting counterparts. Our findings speak to the complicated associations between social support, marriage and mental health in later life and the different experiences that men and women may have.

Effect of Make Parenting a Pleasure on Parenting Skills and Parental Depression

This paper explores a feasibility trial examining the effects of the Make Parenting A Pleasure (MPAP), a 12-week parent training program designed to promote family resilience by strengthening the following factors: parental resilience, social connections, concrete support in times of need, knowledge of parenting and child development, and social and emotional competence in children. Fifty-nine (59) participants were assigned to either a treatment group (n = 32) or a waitlist control group (n = 27). Results showed that participants in the MPAP treatment group demonstrated an increase in parenting skills and child development knowledge as well as a decrease in parental depression when compared to waitlist control group participants. Results emphasize the importance of promoting resiliency by supporting parents through direct instruction and skill development.

The relationship between a trusted adult and adolescent outcomes: a protocol of a scoping review

BackgroundAlthough documentation of harm towards children and young people has existed for centuries, it was not until the 1960s that it became a specific focus for health professionals. Since that time, the importance of protective social networks has become better understood. The concept of trusted adults has come into sharper focus, with children being encouraged to develop networks of dependable adults to turn to for support in times of need. While many child protection processes highlight risks to younger children, there has been less emphasis on older children. The role of trusted adults may be particularly important during adolescence, due to burgeoning independence, developing sexuality, relationship formation, and associated vulnerabilities. While important choices relating to health and education are made during this period, there is little formal evidence relating to the impact of trusted adults on such outcomes. This review therefore aims to focus on the role and influence of trusted adults for adolescents.MethodsThis study is a scoping review. A broad range of databases will be searched, including MEDLINE, ERIC, Education s, Web of Science, ASSIA, Sociological s, and PsycINFO. Predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria will be used, with a focus on outcomes relating to health and education. Two reviewers will blind screen papers independently at all screening stages, with conflicts being resolved by a third reviewer. Quantitative and qualitative studies, as well as unpublished (grey) literature/reports, will be included. We will use the World Health Organization’s ‘second decade’ definition of adolescence. We aim to collate and map evidence in a broad overview and produce meta-analyses of homogenous data. Where this is not possible, a narrative summary will be produced.DiscussionThere appears to be sparse knowledge regarding the role of trusted adults for adolescents. Potential benefits to health and wellbeing may impact on educational attainment, and vice versa. These areas are of particular relevance during the second decade, when decisions that affect future direction, achievement, and wellbeing are being made. The increased understanding of the role of trusted adults provided by this review may help to inform practice and policy and lead to potential benefits for the health and education of adolescents.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD 42017076739