Relationship Between Family and Friend Support and Psychological Distress in Adolescents

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the associations between family and friend support and depressive and anxiety symptoms among adolescents, considering potential sex differences. METHODS: Secondary data from a longitudinal cohort study of 1,348 adolescents ages 11-17 were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression, controlling for relevant factors. Interaction terms between sex and support were created to examine moderation by sex. RESULTS: Youth who reported higher family support reported lower depressive symptoms (b = -0.53, p < .001) and lower anxiety symptoms (b = -0.39, p < .001). Similarly, youth's higher reported friend support was associated with lower depressive symptoms (b = -0.52, p < .001) and lower anxiety symptoms (b = -0.44, p < .001). Effects were not modified by sex. CONCLUSION: Understanding modifiable factors such as supportive systems is important to mitigate mental health disorders. Further investigation of protective factors for promoting adolescent mental health is needed.