Social Support, Negative Life Events and Emotional Problems Among Norwegian Adolescents

Abstract

Relationships between negative life events, perceived social support and emotional problems were assessed in a national representative sample of 1053 adolescents in eighth grade. Thirty-one percent of the adolescents reported that they had experienced at least one negative life event during the last year. Serious illness or injury among close relatives or friends was reported as the most prevalent negative life event. Negative life events were significantly associated with emotional problems among both female and male adolescents. Moreover, support from parents, friends and teachers was directly, negatively associated with emotional problems in both sexes. Finally, results indicate that support from parents moderate the relationship between negative life events and emotional problems among adolescent girls.