Hope as a Pathway in the Relation Between Social Support From Four Sources and Depressive Symptoms in Early Adolescence

The present study explored the extent to which hope plays a mediating role in the relation between social support and depressive symptoms in early adolescence in a sample of 546 seventh and eighth grade students. Longitudinal data were gathered at two timepoints using the Child and Adolescent Social Support Scale, Children’s Hope Scale, and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children. Results showed that perceived support from parents, teachers, classmates, and close friends independently predicted lower depressive symptoms, mediated by higher hope. Only parent and classmate support uniquely predicted lower depressive symptoms, mediated by hope. No gender differences emerged in mediation analyses. These findings suggest that hope is an important pathway in enhancing the general benefits of social support to lower depression in early adolescence.