The Effect of Social Support on Anxiety, Depression and Stress among Adolescents

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between social support and depression, anxiety and stress among adolescents. 200 undergraduate students of the University of Sindh participated in this study. It was hypothesized that (1) higher social support will negatively correlate with depression, (2) higher social support will negatively correlate with anxiety, and (3) higher social support will negatively correlate with stress. To assess hypotheses the Social Support Behavior (SSB) scale was used to measure the level of social support among students and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) was used to measure the level of depression, anxiety, and stress among students. Correlations coefficients were used to find out the effect of the social support and depression, anxiety and stress among Students. The findings of this study revealed significant negative relationship between social support and depression, anxiety and stress suggesting that, higher the social support, the lower is the psychological problem. The findings of the study will be useful in assisting educators, psychologist, and researchers to develop strategies to enhance mental health of adolescents.