Correlates of adolescent life stress as related to race, ses, and levels of perceived social support

Abstract

The present study assessed the relationship between life changes, both desirable and undesirable, and indices of health status and adjustment in black and white adolescents varying in socioeconomic status. The role of social support as a moderator of life stress was also considered. The findings suggest that adolescents from lower socioeconomic groups regardless of race experience higher levels of negative life change and that such changes are related to perceived health status and adjustment. These relationships, however, did not vary as a function of social support.