Evaluating the Nature of Perceived Support and its Relation to Perceived Self-Worth in Adolescents

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to increase our understanding of the relation between adolescents' perceptions of global self-worth and their perceptions of different types of social support (approval, emotional support, and instrumental aid) from significant others. The results suggest that the distinction between the three different types of perceived support appears to be meaningful and that the types of support differ in their relation with self-worth. Perceptions of approval from others, especially a generalized other peer-reference group, such as classmates, did bear a stronger relation to self-worth than did perceptions of emotional support or instrumental aid. There was no consistent gender difference in the relation between perceived support and self-worth, although several gender differences in the levels of perceived support were found. The findings also acknowledged the importance of parental as well as peer support throughout adolescence.