Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relation of stress and perceived social supports to problem behavior during childhood, with particular emphasis on the main and stress-buffering effects of perceived social supports. Such demographic data as parents' educational level, father's job, mother's employment, family income, and child's sex and age were also in chided in the study. Statistical techniques were ANOVA, t-test, and multiple regression. Major findings were that behavior problems of children increased with children's stress and decreased by perceived social supports. Perceived social supports moderated the relation between children's stress and problem behavior. Children's stress and perceived social supports differ by educational level of parents, father's job, and family income. Behavior problems of children were differed by family income, father's educational level and job. Children's stress and behavior problems differed by sex and age in some sub-domains, but perceived social supports did not differ by children's sex and age. Perceived social support from friends was the most influential factor affecting children's problem behavior. Therefore, friends may be considered the most important source of social support that is available for adjustment and for coping with stress during childhood.

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