Effect of Social – Support on Peer-relationship among Adolescents in Haryana

Aim: To verify the relationship between social-support and peer-relationship among adolescents in Haryana.

Study Design: A cross – sectional study was conducted on 460 adolescents of 11th and 12th standard in Haryana.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Haryana, between July 2013 and December 2013.

Methodology: Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ) and Peer – Relationship Questionnaire (PRQ) were used to assess the social – support and peer – relationship among adolescents respectively.

Results: Female adolescents (53%) received more social – support in terms of quantity (SSQN) and were more satisfied than their counterparts i.e., male adolescents (41%). Adolescents who were victimized at low level reported better social – support (M = 8.99). Results further exposed that social – support quantity increases, the pro – social behavior (r = 0.09, p < 0.05) within peers during adolescence also increases. Social – support from family members increases, the victimization (r = -0.12, p < 0.05) decreases and as social – support from non – family members’ increases, chances of victimization (r = 0.12, p < 0.05) also increases.

Conclusion: If adolescents do not get social – support at the time they need either from family members or non – family members, they will become victim earlier.