Social support and psychological disorder: a review.
TL;DR: Current conceptualizations of social support are described, and a distillation of empirical evidence on the relationships among stress, social support, and psychological disorder is presented.
Abstract: With the rapid growth in the literature on social support and psychological disorder, a review of the area is in order. The present article describes current conceptualizations of social support, and presents a distillation of empirical evidence on the relationships among stress, social support, and psychological disorder. The structure of support links and the quality of the relationships they provide appear to be associated with a range of mental health issues. Methodological problems with current research are assessed, and suggestions for appropriate design and conceptualization are offered.
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TL;DR: There is evidence consistent with both main effect and main effect models for social support, but each represents a different process through which social support may affect well-being.
Abstract: Examines whether the positive association between social support and well-being is attributable more to an overall beneficial effect of support (main- or direct-effect model) or to a process of support protecting persons from potentially adverse effects of stressful events (buffering model). The review of studies is organized according to (1) whether a measure assesses support structure (the existence of relationships) or function (the extent to which one's interpersonal relationships provide particular resources) and (2) the degree of specificity (vs globality) of the scale. Special attention is given to methodological characteristics that are requisite for a fair comparison of the models. It is concluded that there is evidence consistent with both models. Evidence for the buffering model is found when the social support measure assesses the perceived availability of interpersonal resources that are responsive to the needs elicited by stressful events. Evidence for a main effect model is found when the support measure assesses a person's degree of integration in a large social network. Both conceptualizations of social support are correct in some respects, but each represents a different process through which social support may affect well-being. Implications for theories of social support processes and for the design of preventive interventions are discussed.
14,570 citations
TL;DR: Le concept de support social doit etre abandonne au profit de concepts plus pertinents fondes sur les modeles de relations entre stress and detresse as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Le concept de support social doit etre abandonne au profit de concepts plus pertinents fondes sur les modeles de relations entre stress et detresse
2,280 citations
TL;DR: Possible mechanisms through which support systems may influence the etiology of physical disease are outlined and conceptual and methodological guidelines for future research in this area are proposed.
Abstract: Although there has been a substantial effort to establish the beneficial effects of social support on health and well-being, relatively little work has focused on how social support influences physical health. This article outlines possible mechanisms through which support systems may influence the etiology of physical disease. I begin by reviewing research on the relations between social support and morbidity and between social support and mortality. I distinguish between various conceptualizations of social support used in the existing literature and provide alternative explanations of how each of these conceptualizations of the social environment could influence the etiology of physical disease. In each case, I address the psychological mediators (e.g., health relevant cognitions, affect, and health behaviors) as well as biologic links (e.g., neuroendocrine links to immune and cardiovascular function). I conclude by proposing conceptual and methodological guidelines for future research in this area, highlighting the unique contributions psychologists can make to this inherently interdisciplinary endeavor.
1,703 citations
TL;DR: For example, the authors found that social support had a threefold effect on work stressor-strain relations, and social support reduced the strain experienced and mitigated perceived stressors, while social support moderated the stressor/strain relationship.
1,185 citations
Cites background or result from "Social support and psychological di..."
...For example, Leavy (1983) reported mixed support for the moderating effects model and consistent support for the direct effects model....
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...…examined the role of social support in the stressor–strain relationship (e.g., Alloway & Bebbington, 1987; Cohen & Wills, 1985; Kessler & McLeod, 1985; Leavy, 1983; Lin, 1986; Mitchell, Billings, & Moos, 1982; Schwartzer & Leppin, 1989; 1991) have been restricted to a few models of social support....
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...Social support has been defined broadly as “the availability of helping relationships and the quality of those relationships” ( Leavy, 1983, p.5 )....
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...Previous reviews of empirical studies that have examined the role of social support in the stressor‐strain relationship (e.g., Alloway & Bebbington, 1987; Cohen & Wills, 1985; Kessler & McLeod, 1985; Leavy, 1983; Lin, 1986; Mitchell, Billings, & Moos, 1982; Schwartzer & Leppin, 1989; 1991) have been restricted to a few models of social support....
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...Social support has been defined broadly as “the availability of helping relationships and the quality of those relationships” (Leavy, 1983, p.5)....
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TL;DR: Marital distress and low social integration appear to be involved in the etiology of depression, and introversion and interpersonal dependency are identified as enduring abnormalities in the functioning of remitted depressives.
Abstract: In this article we attempt to distinguish empirically between psycho-social variables that are concomitants of depression, and variables that may serve as antecedents or sequelae of this disorder. We review studies that investigated the relationship between depression and any of six psychosocial variables after controlling for the effects of concurrent depression. The six variables examined are attributional style, dysfunctional attitudes, personality, social support, marital distress, and coping style. The review suggests that whereas there is little evidence in adults of a cognitive vulnerability to clinical depression, disturbances in interpersonal functioning may be antecedents or sequelae of this disorder. Specifically, marital distress and low social integration appear to be involved in the etiology of depression, and introversion and interpersonal dependency are identified as enduring abnormalities in the functioning of remitted depressives. We attempt to integrate what is known about the relationships among these latter variables, suggest ways in which they may influence the development of depression, and outline specific issues to be addressed in future research.
928 citations
Cites background from "Social support and psychological di..."
...ized variously as an objective quantity of social resources (Monroe, Imhoff, Wise, & Harris, 1983); a process by which one develops, uses, and maintains resources (Leavy, 1983); a cognitive appraisal (Turner, Frankel, & Levin, 1983); and a transaction between person and environment (Coyne & Holyroyd, 1982)....
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TL;DR: It appears that social support can protect people in crisis from a wide variety of pathological states: from low birth weight to death, from arthritis through tuberculosis to depression, alcoholism, and the social breakdown syndrome.
Abstract: Social support is defined as information leading the subject to believe that he is cared for and loved, esteemed, and a member of a network of mutual obligations. The evidence that supportive interactions among people are protective against the health consequences of life stress is reviewed. It appears that social support can protect people in crisis from a wide variety of pathological states: from low birth weight to death, from arthritis through tuberculosis to depression, alcoholism, and the social breakdown syndrome. Furthermore, social support may reduce the amount of medication required, accelerate recovery, and facilitate compliance with prescribed medical regimens.
6,113 citations
TL;DR: I count myself honored indeed to be included among those who have been chosen to present this, the Wade Hampton Frost Lecture, and for this I must thank my very wise chief, Dr. Sidney L. Kark, who introduced me to the papers, particularly the section on tuberculosis.
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