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Community Mental Health Journal
Published in: Community Mental Health Journal 8/2016

01-11-2016 | Brief Report

Perceived Social Support and Mental Health Problems Among Pakistani University Students

Author: Tahira Jibeen

Published in: Community Mental Health Journal | Issue 8/2016

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Abstract

Despite the growing number of cross-cultural studies focusing on psychological problems, little is known about social support outside of western civilization, particularly among people in South Asian cultures. This study examined the cultural orientation regarding perceived social support and psychological problems among 912 undergraduate students (age 19–26) studying at COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Lahore, Pakistan. The present study supported variance in cultural values regarding the relative prominence of sources of support in collectivist culture indicating that low levels of family support were related to various psychological problems. Further, low levels of peer support were related to depression, anxiety, and interpersonal sensitivity. While familial support played a bigger role than peer support in affecting psychological problems, peer support also had a role to play. The results may help counsellors and researchers to identify more effectively the population of students at high risk for mental illness and develop culturally effective interventions to address this significant and growing public health issue.
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Metadata
Title
Perceived Social Support and Mental Health Problems Among Pakistani University Students
Author
Tahira Jibeen
Publication date
01-11-2016
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Community Mental Health Journal / Issue 8/2016
Print ISSN: 0010-3853
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2789
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-015-9943-8

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