Subjective well-being among teenagers of different ages: the role of emotional reactivity and social support from various sources

The aim of the study was to examine the effects of emotional reactivity and support from different sources for the well-being of teenagers on different stages of development. Data on emotional reactivity, perceived social support from different sources and subjective well-being (SWB) was gathered from 180 younger and 135 older adolescents. Regression analyses included emotional reactivity and social support from different sources as predictors of SWB (positive affect, negative affect and life satisfaction). Analyses showed that emotional reactivity predicted all components of SWB. Support was a signifi cant predictor for positive affect and satisfaction, but its specifi c functions depended on age group and its analyzed source. Interaction effects of support with emotional reactivity were signifi cant only among older adolescents - positive affect depended on interaction between emotional reactivity and support from friends, life satisfaction depended on interplay between emotional reactivity and support from teachers