The effects of family configuration and support system failures during childhood and adolescence on college students' self-concepts and social skills.

This study examined the differential effects of familial configuration and support system failures in a sample of 256 college students. Regarding familial configuration, the results indicated that individuals who had experienced parental divorce were significantly more likely to have encountered parental hostility and/or lack of care, inadequate supervision when not in school, lack of concern by teachers, and more financial hardship. In turn, lower self-concepts and/or social skills were found to be associated with these kinds of life experiences (i.e., support system failures).