Perceived social support and domain-specific adjustment of children with emotional and behavioural difficulties |
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Authors: | Mina Popliger Jessica R Toste Nancy L Heath |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Education , McGill University , Montreal, Canada mina.popliger@mail.mcgill.ca;3. Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Education , McGill University , Montreal, Canada |
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Abstract: | The perceived availability of social support has been documented as a protective mechanism among adults and adolescents. However, little research has explored the role of social support among children with emotional and behavioural difficulties (E/BD). The current study sought to investigate the effects of perceived social support from family, friends and teachers on domain-specific adjustment for children with E/BD. Fifty-four teacher-nominated children for E/BD completed questionnaires on perceived social support and behavioural, emotional and social functioning. Results suggest a pattern of intercorrelations between indices of child-rated social support and behavioural, emotional and social indicators of adjustment. Specifically, domain-specific social support was found to predict domain-specific adjustment outcomes for children with E/BD, once demographic variables were held constant. Interventions that are child-centred and domain-specific are suggested. |
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Keywords: | elementary-aged children social support adjustment emotional behavioural and academic outcomes domain specificity |
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