Trajectories of perceived support from family,friends,and lovers in the transition to adulthood

Abstract

Trajectories of perceived support from family, friends, and lovers were examined in 923 high school seniors surveyed across the transition to adulthood (ages 18, 19, 20, 22, and 25). Growth models revealed a cubic pattern of support from family members, which peaked at age 20, no change in friend support, and a linear decrease in lover support. Women reported higher levels of support than did men for all sources except fathers. Over time, friend and lover support decreased for women but increased for men. Both mother and father support were higher among young people who had left home, and cohabitation/marriage was associated with lower friend support and higher lover support. Support in close social relationships in the early 20s is dynamic; personal characteristics (e.g., gender) and life course transitions such as leaving home and marriage contribute to changing levels of perceived support.