The Role of Optimism-Pessimism in the Relationship Between Perceived Social Support and Developmental Problem Areas Among Adolescents in Türkiye.

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to examine the role of optimistic-pessimistic thinking style in the relationship between social support perceived from family, peers and teachers in adolescence and developmental problems that may be frequently encountered in adolescence. This cross-sectional study, conducted in Türkiye, employed a correlational research design with a convenience sample of 475 adolescents (241 girls and 234 boys) aged 14-17. Participants completed the Optimism-Pessimism Scale for Adolescents, the Social Support Appraisals Scale, and the Developmental Problem Areas Scale. The correlation analysis results showed that there were significant relationships between perceived social support from family, peers and teachers, optimistic-pessimistic thinking style and developmental problems. The mediation analysis results indicated that optimism and pessimism mediated the relationship between perceived social support and developmental problems, showing both partial and full mediation patterns depending on the source of social support. Taken together, the findings suggest that social support received from various sources in adolescence may facilitate coping with developmental problems by increasing adolescents' optimistic thinking style or decreasing their pessimistic thinking style. The results were discussed in the light of the literature and some suggestions based on the findings were presented.