Getting by with a little help from self and others: Self-esteem and social support as resources during early adolescence.

Abstract

Influences of social support and self-esteem on adjustment in early adolescence were investigated in a 2-year longitudinal study (N ϭ 350).Multi-informant data (youth and parent) were used to assess both overall levels and balance in peer-versus adult-oriented sources for social support and self-esteem.Findings obtained using latent growth-curve modeling were consistent with self-esteem mediating effects of social support on both emotional and behavioral adjustment.Lack of balance in social support and self-esteem in the direction of stronger support and esteem from peer-oriented sources predicted greater levels and rates of growth in behavioral problems.Results indicate a need for process-oriented models of social support and self-esteem and sensitivity to patterning of sources for each resource relative to adaptive demands of early adolescence.