Indirect Effects of Social Support on Psychological Health Through Self-Esteem in Emerging Adulthood

Social constructivist theory suggests that social support affects internalizing and externalizing problems by improving self-esteem. The differential impact of these variables has not been fully explored between male and female genders. The current study examined how different sources of received or perceived social support from mother, father, or a close friend affect internalizing and externalizing problems as explained by self-esteem in emerging adulthood. Emerging adults attending college (N = 854, ages 18-25 years) were recruited to complete survey measures. For both genders, the perception of friend support was indirectly related to internalizing and externalizing problems through self-esteem. Received social support from fathers indirectly effected internalizing and externalizing problems in females through self-esteem but not males. Interventions during emerging adulthood aimed at increasing perception of support from friends may directly and indirectly benefit females in college. Further results, implications, and limitations of the study are discussed.