The Role of Social Support and Positive Youth Development Attributes in Family Resilience Processes: an Actor-Partner Interdependence Approach

Abstract

Social support is widely assumed to foster adaptive family processes, yet its specific roles within parent-child dyads and the contribution of positive youth attributes remain insufficiently understood. Clarifying these pathways can inform supportive strategies and family resilience interventions. This cross-sectional study employed the actor-partner interdependence model (APIM) to address this research gap. Self-report questionnaires were completed by 489 parent-child dyads. Most families (71%) did not have a tertiary degree. Children averaged 12.62 ± 0.76 years, and parents averaged 45.33 ± 7.21 years. Females comprised 49.1% of children and 76% of parents. Results indicated significant actor effects of social support on family resilience processes for both parents and children. In contrast, only one partner effect was observed: children’s social support significantly predicted parents’ family resilience processes. Moreover, children’s cognitive-behavioral competence and socio-emotional competence partially mediated the actor effect of children’s social support on their own family resilience processes and fully mediated the partner effect of children’s social support on parents’ family resilience processes. These findings highlight the important roles of children’s social support, as well as their cognitive-behavioral and socio-emotional competence, in family resilience processes for both children and parents. This implies the value of prioritizing youth social support and competence development in family resilience interventions.