How do UK-based university students understand family support in relation to the impact it may have on their...

A person's wellbeing is influenced by many factors at various stages of life, and research has found that family support is hugely important in its maintenance. During adolescence, (as a result of many biological and cognitive changes which take place during this stage), many young people might experience decreased wellbeing. Such difficulties are further exacerbated in university students, with research showing that this age group are prone to experiencing high rates of mental health difficulties. Various quantitative studies have investigated student mental health, yet there has been little focus on the subjective experiences of wellbeing and social support. The current study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of how university students perceive family support and the impact this might have on their wellbeing.

Due to the nature of the study, an advert was placed for all Psychology undergraduate students at a university in the North-West of England. A total of 16 semi-structured interviews were conducted. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Three main themes were identified: "type of support," "family context" and "balance and adjustment."

The findings highlighted that university students view family support as vital in maintaining positive wellbeing, and that parental support was valued the most among various types of family support. This included both emotional and financial support. Unlike the wider literature, in the current study, some students considered financial support to be less necessary while others suggested that wellbeing may be negatively impacted by inadequate monetary support. Furthermore, family background such as culture and socio-economic background was seen to greatly influence the support provided. Lastly, students emphasized that family support can be beneficial when a balance is stricken, and support is neither overbearing nor lacking. Students highlighted how divorce or absent parents can negatively impact students' wellbeing. Similarly, helicopter parenting or parents who sought to control and put pressure were perceived as overbearing. Offering the right support that met the needs of students at the right time was classed as adequate.