Abstract
This article examines how stressful life-events relate to the occurrence of illness in a nonclinical random sample of adolescents and what processes intervene in this relationship. Three alternative models of the life events and illness relationship are compared. Data support a “direct stress and illness model” as opposed to either a “sick role behavior model” or a “mental health model.” Social support from parents appears to mediate the life events-illness relationship. Undesirable and ambiguous life events have more impact on illness than desirable events do. Results are discussed in terms of adolescence as a unique developmental stage.
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This research was supported in part by National Institute of Mental Health Grant MH 13050.
Received his Ph.D. in sociology at the University of New Hampshire in 1978. Research interests include the sociology of medicine, family violence, and the organization of mental health services.
Received her Ph.D. in sociology from the University of New Hampshire in 1978. Research interests include the sociology of visual communication, sociology of sex roles, and deviant behavior.
Received his Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Washington. Research interests include sociology of mental health-illness, sociology of medicine, deviant behavior, and research methodology.
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Hotaling, G.T., Atwell, S.G. & Linsky, A.S. Adolescent life changes and illness: A comparison of three models. J Youth Adolescence 7, 393–403 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01537807
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01537807