Broken Bonds, Fragmented Minds: A Study on the Role of Peer Support in Reducing Divorce-Induced Stress among Teenagers

Description

Page: 494-498

Basant Lal Sharma (Department of Psychology, Dr. R.M.L.S. College, Muzaffarpur, Bihar)

Parental divorce is a critical life event that often leads to psychological distress among adolescents. This study investigates the role of peer support in mitigating stress experienced by teenagers in the aftermath of parental separation, with a specific focus on adolescents in Bihar, India. Drawing upon developmental and clinical psychology frameworks, the research explores whether supportive peer relationships can serve as a buffer against the emotional and cognitive challenges induced by family breakdown. A quantitative, correlational research design was employed, involving a sample of 200 adolescents aged 13 to 18 years, including 100 from divorced families and 100 from intact families, selected through stratified random sampling from urban and semi-urban schools in Bihar. Standardized instruments, namely the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10; Cohen & Williamson, 1988) and the Peer Subscale of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS; Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet, & Farley, 1988) were used to assess stress levels and peer support. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis. The findings are expected to reveal that adolescents from divorced families report significantly higher stress levels than their peers from intact families. Moreover, the presence of strong peer support is anticipated to correlate negatively with stress, suggesting a protective effect. Gender-based variations in the effectiveness of peer support will also be examined. This study offers important implications for school counsellors, educators, and mental health professionals, emphasizing the need for peer-focused interventions and psychosocial support systems for adolescents navigating parental divorce, particularly in culturally sensitive and under-researched regions like Bihar.