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Presentation Master's thesis - Renée Broersma - Developmental Psychology

Colloquium credits

Presentation Master's thesis - Renée Broersma - Developmental Psychology

Last modified on 06-05-2026 11:50
The Role of Perceived Social Support as a Buffer Against Trauma-Related Symptoms in Adolescents: A Moderated Moderation Analysis of Gender Differences
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Start date
11-05-2026 11:00
End date
11-05-2026 12:00
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This study examined whether perceived social support buffers the association between trauma exposure and trauma-related symptoms in adolescents, and whether this differs by gender. Using survey data from Dutch adolescents aged 12 to 18 who had experienced at least one potentially traumatic event, the study found that greater trauma exposure was associated with higher PTSS, depression symptoms, and anxiety symptoms. Higher perceived social support was associated with lower symptom levels. However, social support did not seem to reduce the impact of trauma exposure on PTSS, and this did not differ between boys and girls. Overall, the findings suggest that social support is important, but may be more clearly related to lower symptom severity in general than to buffering the effects of trauma exposure.