Perceived family and social support: impact on children.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation of children's perceived family and social support to their behavior and hopelessness.

METHOD

Subjects were 100 child psychiatric inpatients who completed a series of self-report measures, including the Social Support Questionnaire-Self Report, the Scales of Independent Behavior, and the Hopelessness Scale for Children.

RESULTS

Children who perceived lower levels of family and social support were more withdrawn or inattentive and were more harmful to others, damaging to property, and uncooperative. In addition, children who reported fewer supportive persons in their lives had higher levels of hopelessness.

CONCLUSIONS

These data emphasize the connection between social support systems, psychopathology, and hopelessness. These relationships may indicate that children need a sense that they are cared for and supported if they are to avoid serious problems and feelings of hopelessness.