Role of Perceived Social Support on Self-Esteem and Aggression among Adolescents

Adolescence period is a critical one in an individual's life. So, the need to study social
support as a buffer against negative and psychological problems as aggression and as a
key construct in increasing positive psychological outcomes as self-esteem is becoming
urgent among adolescents. The aim of the study was to: explore the influencing role of
perceived social support on self-esteem and aggression among adolescents. Study design: -
descriptive correlational study was used. Settings: This study was conducted at 7 preparatory
and secondary governmental schools in Tanta City that were chosen randomly according to
Tanta city districts. Subjects: The total number of the study sample was 500 students. It was
obtained by multistage random sampling technique from the previously mentioned settings.
Study tools: four tools were used; Tool I: Socio-demographic characteristics of the
adolescents, Tool II: The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Tool
III: Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale and Tool IV: The Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire
(BPAQ). Results: results pointed out social support have a statistically significant positive
role on enhancing self-esteem and reduction of aggression among studied adolescents.
Conclusion & Recommendations: adolescents who have proper social support are having
high self-esteemed and less liable to develop aggression. So, programs that deal with
adolescent self-esteem and aggression have to emphasize on the role of perceived social
support.