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Social support, ethnicity and mental health in adolescents

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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

In this study, we explored whether social support varied with ethnic group in young people, and if it explained ethnic differences in prevalence of psychological distress.

Methods

A representative sample of 2790 East London adolescents (11–14 years) completed a classroom-based self-report questionnaire for this cross sectional survey. Social support was assessed using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Mental health was assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Short Moods and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ).

Results

High levels of social support were reported by most participants, with some variation by ethnic group and gender. Participants reporting low family and overall social support had an increased likelihood of psychological distress compared with those who reported high support. Low support from friends, family and overall was also associated with depressive symptoms. These relationships did not alter with adjustment for ethnic group.

Conclusions

This study identified an independent association between different sources of social support and mental health in a young, ethnically diverse sample. Differences in social support did not explain ethnic differences in psychological distress.

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Acknowledgments

RELACHS was funded by the East London and The City Health Authority. We would like to thank Tower Hamlets, City & Hackney and Newham Primary Care Trusts for their continued support. We are very grateful for the support of the schools, parents and students involved in this study, as well as the members of our Community Advisory Board for their input and interest. We would also like to thank the field research team including Wendy Isenwater, Giash Ahmed, Sarah Brentnall, Sultana Choudry-Dormer and Franca Davenport, along with the rest of the academic steering committee for advice and encouragement. There are no financial conflicts of interest to report.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Psychiatry, Wolfson Institute for Preventive Medicine Barts & the London, Queen Mary’s School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of London, Old Anatomy Building, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK

    Emily Klineberg, Charlotte Clark, Kamaldeep S. Bhui, Mary M. Haines, Jenny Head, Davina Woodley-Jones & Stephen A. Stansfeld

  2. Dept. of Paediatrics, Royal Free and University College London Medical School, University College, London, UK

    Russell M. Viner

  3. Dept. of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London and the Royal Free Medical School, London, UK

    Jenny Head

Authors
  1. Emily Klineberg
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  2. Charlotte Clark
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  3. Kamaldeep S. Bhui
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  4. Mary M. Haines
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  5. Russell M. Viner
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  6. Jenny Head
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  7. Davina Woodley-Jones
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  8. Stephen A. Stansfeld
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Emily Klineberg.

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Klineberg, E., Clark, C., Bhui, K.S. et al. Social support, ethnicity and mental health in adolescents. Soc Psychiat Epidemiol 41, 755–760 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-006-0093-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-006-0093-8

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