Abstract

he purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of social support and stressful life events in adolescents as they develop into adults. Newman's System Model was the theoretical basis of this study. These six hypotheses were tested: 1. T h e r e is no s ignificant relationship between general support and family life events for adolescents. 2. T h e r e is no s i g n i ficant relationship between general support and autonomy life events for adolescents. 3. There is no significant relationship between general support and sexuality life events for adolescents. 4. There is no significant relationship between eventrelated support and family life events for adolescents. 5. There is no significant relationship between eventrelated support and autonomy life events for adolescents. 6. There is no significant relationship between eventrelated support and sexuality life events for adolescents. The sample for this study was 48 eleventh grade Black students in the Delta region of Mississippi. Data were collected using the Social Support Network Inventory (Flaherty et al. , 1983) and the Life Event Questionnaire (Newcomb, Huba, & Bentler, 1981). Statistical analysis was accomplished by using Pearson Product Moment Correlation coefficient. Analysis of the data led the researcher to fail to reject all hypotheses except Hypothesis II. There were no significant relationships between general and event-related support and family and sexuality life events, but there was a significant relationship between general support and autonomy life events. The researcher concluded that as the number of autonomy life events increase for adolescents so does the level of emotional support. The Family Nurse Clinician can use these findings as advocate, counselor, educator, and researcher.

Degree

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Department

Graduate Nursing

Degree Date

7-1-1989

Publication Number

27924592

First Advisor

Dr. Rayma Skinner

Second Advisor

Dr. Mary Patricia Curtis

Third Advisor

B. J. Landis

Document Type

Thesis

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