Parental and peer support in adolescents with a chronic condition: a typological approach and developmental implications

Abstract

Research has consistently demonstrated that contextual support is crucial towards the psychological functioning of adolescents with chronic conditions. However, the literature has predominantly focused on parental support instead of adopting an integrated approach to parental and peer support. The present manuscript with two longitudinal studies in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes and congenital heart disease examined the extent to which different clusters of maternal, paternal, and peer support at baseline were related to well- and ill-being over time. In both studies, four clusters emerged: combined support, parental support, peer support, and lack of support. Follow-up longitudinal analyses indicated that especially combined support from parents and peers proved to be of crucial importance towards psychological functioning. The present studies demonstrated the value of a typological approach for assessing social support in adolescents with chronic conditions. In addition to focusing on parental support, future research should assess peer support as well in these adolescents.

Keywords: Adolescence; Chronic condition; Parental support; Peer support; Psychological functioning.