Social Support as Predictor of Psychopathology in the Adolescent Offspring of Psychiatric Patients |
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Authors: | Cees Hoefnagels Cor Meesters Joke Simenon |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Health Education, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 Maastricht, MD, The Netherlands;(2) Department of Medical, Clinical, and Experimental Psychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands;(3) Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands |
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Abstract: | The potential role of social support for the adolescent offspring of psychiatric patients has hitherto not been examined.
We examined whether the adolescent's level of psychiatric symptoms is dependent on the content and the function of social
support (whether direct or moderating), controlling for perceived stress. In a cross-sectional design, 40 adolescents (11–18
yrs) with a parent exhibiting an affective or personality disorder were given several questionnaires, including the Youth
Self Report (Achenbach), a Social Support Inventory, and the MUSIC, an inventory assessing perceived emotional and physiological
stress reactions. The social support inventory consisted of three subscales to assess the positive and negative perception
of social support, and the discrepancy between demand and supply of social support. The mentally-ill parents were given the
General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Data were then analyzed using multiple linear regression analyses. Analyses showed that
perceived stress and negative social support predicted the adolescent's level of psychiatric symptoms, and that social support
served as a direct effect, and was independent of parental GHQ score. Results are discussed and the presently under-utilized
potential of social support for this population at risk is highlighted as something warranting increased attention both in
terms of research and practical preventative steps. |
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Keywords: | Social support Adolescents Parental psychopathology |
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