Social support, however, may not always be beneficial. If students’ parents also suffer from mental illness ; there is a breakdown of communication or a history of abuse and intergenerational problems in the student’s family or there is a barrier to developing social relationships with others , the perceived lack of adequate social support will instead impede students’ ability to reach out-and receive-mental health help. In particular, levels of perceived support from family have been negatively associated with physical health . Similarly, negative perceptions of support from peers and romantic partners are associated with higher levels of loneliness, depression , anxiety, insecurity, and low moods . These health problems may compound to produce low self-esteem .
Specifically, breaking up or losing a romantic partner increases one’s levels of psychological distress , which can compound already-existing mental health concerns, particularly depression and substance use (for not having a love interest at all) when compared to their coupled counterparts [42,43]
Dealing with mental illness is difficult enough, but the label and stigma of mental illness can make perceptions of social support-and the confidence to reach out for help and treatment-even more difficult. Continue reading 1.3. Mental Health and Romantic Relationships-Creating a Research Focus
