[Do young people feel the need for social support in our time?]

Wiad Lek. 2002:55 Suppl 1:242-8.
[Article in Polish]

Abstract

The aim of the work was determination of the connection between young people and people important in their lives among persons of the same age and among adults by the use of the "Social Support" questionnaire that is one of the four parts of translated version of German inquiry "Woman Self Image and Social Ideal". There were 713 persons included in the examinations divided into 2 groups: I--313 pupils including 128 boys and 185 girls. They were pupils of second and third forms of secondary schools in Cracow; II--400 students, 106 male students and 294 female students, all of them were from Faculty of Medicine and from the faculty of health Protection of Collegium Medicum of Jagiellonian University. The questionnaire included 22 questions and had five-grade scale of intensity of feelings: does not concern, a little, moderately, concerns, definitely concerns. The positive result of the examination is the statement that more than the half of the examined persons--both pupils and students--has a reliable friend in every situation; feels well and relaxed with this person; may trust him/her, discuss difficult problems and get keys from one's flat during being away. On the other hand the frequency of answers showing important problems in this matter is still distressingly high. The need of better understanding and care from the family was declared by about 15% of examined persons. 19% of pupils and 22% of students wanted bigger safety and close relationship. At the same time the safety, understanding and care was experienced by less than 20% of examined persons. The fact of isolation from the group and the feeling of being an outsider declared 10% of young people. The examinations show that problems with adjusting to the requirements of an adult life, finding the place and defining one's role in the surrounding reality concerns not only a part of secondary school pupils but older than that--students of Faculty of Medicine.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior* / psychology
  • Adult
  • Emotions*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Male
  • Peer Group*
  • Poland
  • Psychology, Adolescent
  • Self Concept*
  • Social Support*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires