Presenter
Paulina Zambrana; Julianna Hoyt
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
2026
Abstract
Previous research has shown that living situation can influence perceived social support across different developmental stages. Social support can be defined as assistance provided by other sources like teachers, counselors, family, etc., to help an individual manage diverse circumstances. Particularly in youth, it has been demonstrated that strong perceived social support can be associated with positive outcomes like strong academic and behavioral functioning; however, unstable living environments can often affect the amount of perceived support and, therefore, generate poorer outcomes in young individuals. The purpose of this study is to analyze the association between living situation and social support among young adults in Rhode Island. A total of 1,022 participants between the age range of 18 to 25 years old were recruited via social media, flyers, and email in a digital, cross-sectional, quantitative survey in 2022. The survey’s variables of interest include self-reported living situation (e.g., living alone, with family, or with friends) and frequency of social/emotional support. ANOVA results showed no significant differences in social support across living situations for both students (p = .610) and non-students (p = .154). However, significant differences were found by gender (F=7.68, p < 0.001), with women reporting the highest levels of social support (M = 2.43) and sexual and gender minorities reporting the lowest (M = 2.70).
Faculty Mentor
Jonathan Mosko, Ph.D.
Academic Discipline
College of Arts & Sciences
Repository Citation
Zambrana, Paulina and Hoyt, Julianna, "Association between living situation and social support" (2026). Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium. 350.
https://scholarsarchive.jwu.edu/innov_symposium/350
