Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine the role of social support on different contexts as mediator of the relationship between negative life events and loneliness during adolescence. Data were collected in school among 405 adolescents, ages 16 to 20. Participants completed a questionnaire in which they reported negative life events, perceived social support (parents, friends and teachers) and loneliness. Results suggested that social support of parents and friends, but not teachers, served as mediator. Negative life events seem to compromise the relationships of adolescents with significant others and thus to increase loneliness. Implications of the results for both theory and intervention are discussed.