Normative Developmental Changes of Social Support, Parental Behaviour and Family Functioning during Adolescence

Previous research has found that social support, parental behaviour and family adaptability and cohesion are associated with psychological and psychopathological outcomes. However, there is less research addressing the normative developmental changes in the perception of these influential social factors, especially with longitudinal designs. The aim of this thesis was to present basic knowledge about the normative changes in social support, parental behaviour, and family functioning from preadolescence to late adolescence in a longitudinal setting. The study used data based on the Zurich Adolescent Psychology and Psychopathology Study, a representative sample of 1110 Swiss adolescents that were followed up at three assessment times. The sample size varied between n = 857 and n = 552 depending on the statistical methods. Questionnaires concerning the frequency of and satisfaction with social support including different support sources, perceived parental acceptance, psychological control and structure, were assessed at all three measurement times. Family cohesion and adaptability measures were assessed at two measurement times. Results showed that adolescents sought less support from parents or grandparents and perceived it as less satisfactory as they grew older. Perceived support frequency from friends and romantic partners increased until middle adolescence while the perceived satisfaction increased from middle to late adolescence. Furthermore, there were no changes in perceived parental acceptance but both perceived psychological control and structure declined during adolescence. Family adaptability did not change during adolescence, while family cohesion did decline during adolescence. These results demonstrate normative adolescent development and detachment processes from their families towards greater autonomy, which includes the development of stronger ties with peer groups, the strengthening of social bonds outside the family, independence from care takers while still benefiting from satisfying support and acceptance in an adaptable family setting