Hope as a Pathway in the Relation between Social Support from Four Sources and Depressive Symptoms in Early Adolescence

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Hope as a Pathway in the Relation between Social Support from Four Sources and Depressive Symptoms in Early Adolescence
Language: English
Authors: Sandra Yu Rueger (ORCID 0000-0001-9129-5147), Samantha Coyle-Eastwick (ORCID 0000-0002-3240-5120), Lauren Johnson (ORCID 0000-0002-8800-3534), Yoonsun Pyun (ORCID 0000-0001-8038-7660), Margaret Kassel (ORCID 0009-0005-0405-7949), Liora Steinberg (ORCID 0009-0002-2552-812X)
Source: Journal of Early Adolescence. 2026 46(6):773-801.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 29
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Junior High Schools
Middle Schools
Secondary Education
Descriptors: Early Adolescents, Social Support Groups, Depression (Psychology), Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Measures (Individuals), Predictor Variables, Expectation, Gender Differences, Mediation Theory, Middle School Students
Assessment and Survey Identifiers: Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale
DOI: 10.1177/02724316251352182
ISSN: 0272-4316
1552-5449
Abstract: The present study explored the extent to which hope plays a mediating role in the relation between social support and depressive symptoms in early adolescence in a sample of 546 seventh and eighth grade students. Longitudinal data were gathered at two timepoints using the Child and Adolescent Social Support Scale, Children's Hope Scale, and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children. Results showed that perceived support from parents, teachers, classmates, and close friends independently predicted lower depressive symptoms, mediated by higher hope. Only parent and classmate support uniquely predicted lower depressive symptoms, mediated by hope. No gender differences emerged in mediation analyses. These findings suggest that hope is an important pathway in enhancing the general benefits of social support to lower depression in early adolescence.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1503298
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:The present study explored the extent to which hope plays a mediating role in the relation between social support and depressive symptoms in early adolescence in a sample of 546 seventh and eighth grade students. Longitudinal data were gathered at two timepoints using the Child and Adolescent Social Support Scale, Children's Hope Scale, and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children. Results showed that perceived support from parents, teachers, classmates, and close friends independently predicted lower depressive symptoms, mediated by higher hope. Only parent and classmate support uniquely predicted lower depressive symptoms, mediated by hope. No gender differences emerged in mediation analyses. These findings suggest that hope is an important pathway in enhancing the general benefits of social support to lower depression in early adolescence.
ISSN:0272-4316
1552-5449
DOI:10.1177/02724316251352182