PhD Oral Exam - Eloïse Fairbank, Psychology

When studying for a doctoral degree (PhD), candidates submit a thesis that provides a critical review of the current state of knowledge of the thesis subject as well as the student’s own contributions to the subject. The distinguishing criterion of doctoral graduate research is a significant and original contribution to knowledge.

Once accepted, the candidate presents the thesis orally. This oral exam is open to the public.

Abstract

Perceived social support and subjective social status (SSS) are key social determinants of child and adolescent health. However, little is known about the extent to which they relate to one another or interact to influence health outcomes among youth. Additionally, the role of broader social context in shaping these associations remains underexplored. This dissertation addressed these research gaps via four manuscripts:

Manuscript 1 summarized the association between perceived social support and SSS in youth via meta-analysis. A small, positive association (r = .15) was found, consistent across support sources, measurement tools, and levels of cultural individualism. Stronger associations were observed in countries with lower income inequality. However, substantial heterogeneity remained.

Manuscript 2 investigated the associations between perceived social support and SSS among early adolescents using data from the 2013/4 Health Behaviours in School Children (HBSC) survey. It addressed limitations from Manuscript 1 and replicated findings of a small, positive association between social support and SSS. This association was robust regardless of demographic adjustment and moderation. Country-level income inequality, cultural individualism and power distance were not significant moderators.

Manuscript 3 assessed the interactive effects of social support and SSS on self-reported health using the HBSC dataset. Higher social support buffered against the negative health effects of SSS for self-rated health, general health symptoms, life satisfaction, breakfast consumption and substance use (but not physical activity).

Manuscript 4 examined country-level economic and cultural moderators of the buffering effect of social support against SSS. High social support was generally more protective against SSS in countries with higher GDP, lower income inequality, and more collectivistic, egalitarian cultures; direction varied across health outcomes.

Taken together, results of this dissertation offer novel insights about the associations between social support, SSS and adolescent health across countries. Importantly, our findings point to the interactions between individual and country-level social determinants of health. Specifically, individual social support and SSS interact to impact health, which is further moderated by country-level economic and cultural indicators. Results can be used to inform culturally-sensitive biopsychosocial models of health among adolescents.