Effects of social support on adolescent identity development

Abstract

Adolescence is crucial in shaping an individual’s sense of self and identity. During this transformative stage, individuals are particularly sensitive to the feedback and support they receive from their social networks, as these can significantly impact an individual’s self-perception and the construction of their self-concept. This research explores the complex relationships between self-concept development during adolescence and various forms of social support, including support from parents, peers, and adults. We used multiple linear regressions to examine relations between social support and self-concept development in students grades 7–12 (at baseline N=20,745) using data from Wave 2 of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, or Add Health. We hypothesized that the interaction between parent and peer support would positively influence adolescent self-concept. Although parent and peer support individually showed no direct effect on adolescent self-concept, we found that the interaction between these two factors significantly influenced adolescent self-concept. We additionally noted sex differences in self-concept. The results of our study underscored the interplay between various sources of social support in fostering healthy self-concept development in adolescents. By exploring these dynamics, we can gain a deeper understanding of how individuals navigate their sense of self in response to social influences, thus ultimately shedding light on strategies to foster healthy self-concept development in adolescents and improve their overall well-being.