Relationship of Daily Hassles and Social Support to Depression and Antisocial Behavior Among Early Adolescents

The purpose of this study was to fill up a research gap by examining the relationship of particular daily hassles and specific social support with regard to parent, peer, and teacher relationship to depression and antisocial behavior among early adolescents. Three-hundred and thirty-eight 5th and 6th graders were examined for depression and 360 for antisocial behavior through self-report questionnaires. Findings showed that except for parental support, hassles alone affected the level of maladjustment. Social support had no main effects except for parental support. Early adolescents who perceived high parental support reported less maladjustment. Social support did not moderate daily hassles in emotional and behavioral adjustment. Additionally, hassles with friends and parents were the best predictors of depression whereas hassles with parents were the best predictor of antisocial behavior. These findings suggest that Korean early adolescents were having more daily hassles that contributed to maladjustment than they had social support from significant others.