Getting By With a Little Help From My Friends: A Pilot Study of the Measurement and Stability of Positive Social Support From Significant Others for Adolescents

Abstract

Based on research into adult social support and the ecological model of development, we sought to redefine and establish the levels and nature of support provided to Year 7 (n = 52), 9 (n = 52) and Year 11 (n = 33) adolescents over a period of 3 months. A questionnaire to identify who provided support to adolescents was developed to measure instrumental, informational and emotional support, and add siblings to the primary support network. Factor analysis confirmed the expected four-factor model of support, with parents, teachers, siblings and friends providing different levels and priorities of support. Results indicated high levels of internal consistency and test–retest reliability. Trends..