United states and Finnish adolescents' perceptions of social support -: A cross-cultural analysis

The purpose of the current preliminary study was to examine the levels of perceived social support by adolescents in the US and Finland. American research has demonstrated that high perceived levels of social support can buffer adolescents against many negative psychosocial symptoms, such as depression, anxiety and low self-esteem and is a necessary resource in adolescent well-being (Demaray and Malecki, 2002). Research on social support in Finland has demonstrated similar effects. However, less is known about the potential differences in the perceptions of social support cross-culturally. Perceptions of the frequency of different sources and types of support were assessed in both countries (n = 148 US, n = 144 Finland) via the Child and Adolescent Social Support Scale (CASSS; Malecki et al., 2000). US participants perceived higher levels of both source and type of social support. These preliminary analyses serve as a springboard for further cross-cultural social support research.