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In a sample of 2918 adolescents aged 12 to 24 years, the relation between parental and friends' social support was studied, specifically with regard to emotional problems. In addition, age and sex differences were examined. Results indicated that parental and friends' support seem to be relatively independent support systems. Although the degree of perceived support changes in the expected direction (with parental support decreasing and friends' support increasing) during early adolescence, parental support remains the best indicator of emotional problems during adolescence. The effect of friends' support appeared to depend slightly on the level of perceived parental support, with the high parental support group showing a slightly positive effect of friends' support, and the low parental support group showing a negative effect of friends' support.
INTRODUCTION
Recent research in The Netherlands has shown that 13 to 27% of Dutch young people experience serious emotional problems (Diekstra et al.,1991; Meeus, 1994b), including depression, loneliness, low self-esteem, social isolation, and suicidal thoughts. Similar figures have been found in other western countries (e.g., American Medical Association, 1990; Offer et al., 1988). Emotional problems increase during adolescence, and can become chronic for a considerable number of adolescents (Laufer and Laufer, 1984). In general, girls have more emotional problems to cope with than boys (Kandel and Davies, 1982; Kienhorst, 1988; Meeus, 1993; White, 1989). Given the extent and the consequences these problems can have for further social adaptation, it is clearly of both social and scientific interest to investigate the determinants of emotional problems in adolescence. In this article, we look at the relations of adolescents with their parents and peers, and the influence these relations may have on the development of emotional problems. First, we will look at the relational changes in adolescence and the results of empirical research on the relation with psychological well-being. Subsequently, data from a Dutch study will be presented.
Relational Changes in Adolescence
During adolescence, the network of "significant others" is restructured (Meeus et al., 1991 ). In childhood and in early adolescence, the central position in this network is occupied by parents. Although relations with their peers are also important for the social functioning of children, the relationship with their parents dominates during this period. In the course of adolescence, relations with...