Module 6a Social Support - Stress II: Psychosocial Modifiers of Stress

Social Support

Comfort, caring, esteem, or help available to a person from other people or groups

What are the two types of Social Support

1. Received Social Support: Actions actually performed by others (ex. hugs, home visits)

2. Perceived support: One’s sense (or perception) of that comfort, caring, and helping are available if needed

Tangible Assistance

Material Support

Money, helping you do something 

Informational Support 

Giving advice, coping strategies, feedback 

Emotional Support

Empathy, sharing concern, encouragement

Companionship support

With you, spending time, shared interests,

What is the effect of Social Support on Health?

Having a supportive friend or pet can reduce cardiovascular reactivity

Personality might influence health

Social support linked to mortality, chronic illness, recovery,

Buffering Hypothesis 

Social support protects against negative effects of high stress (only at high levels of stress) 

If low stressor, no buffering happens 

Why does the Buffering hypothesis work?

1. APPRAISAL: When faced with a strong stressor, someone with social support might not appraise it as intense
   (maybe they know someone that can help them - secondary appraisal)

2. STRESS RESPONSE: Social support might modify stress response after appraisal

(maybe someone will help them change their appraisal (provide solution)

Eg. you’re stressed (done primary and secondary) and your friend helps you calm down

Direct Effects Hypothesis

Social support benefits health regardless of the amount of stress

Effects are similar with low or high stress

Why might the Direct Effects Hypothesis work? 

1. High social support might help people feel more belonging and self-esteem which might benefit health independently from stress 

2. High social support might help people feel like they need to be healthy to reciprocate the support (stop smoking to be healthier for kids) 

What are some threats to socla support

1. Stressful events

   1. Studying for midterm instead of being with support

2. Too focused on their problems

   1. Drives support away

3. Supports agent’s reactions

   1. Supporter’s reactions (makes problem worse)

4. Adverse effects of support providers

   1. Psychological distress as a result of caring

Why does human-animal interaction work on health? 

Oxytocin 

Lowers heart rate and BP

up physical activity