PERCEIVED FAMILY AND SOCIAL SUPPORT - IMPACT ON CHILDREN

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation o f children's perceived family and social support to their behavior and hopelessness. Method: Subjects were 1 00 child psychiatric inpatients who completed a series of self-report measures, including the Social Support Questionnaire-Self Report, the Scales of Independent Behavior, and the Hopelessness Scale for Children. Results: Children who percei ved lower levels of family and social support were more withdrawn or i nattentive and were more harmful to others, damaging to property, and uncooperative. In addition, children who reported fewer supportive per sons in their lives had higher levels of hopelessness. Conclusions: Th ese data emphasize the connection between social support systems, psyc hopathology, and hopelessness. These relationships may indicate that c hildren need a sense that they are cared for and supported if they are to avoid serious problems and feelings of hopelessness.