Problem-solving appraisal and the effects of social support among college students and persons with physical disabilities.

Abstract

The hypothesis that the appraisal of one's own ability to solve problems would moderate the effects of social support among two distinct samples was tested. In the 1st study, college students completed measures of depression, problem-solving appraisal, and social support. Although both predictor variables were significantly associated with depression, the 2 did not significantly interact in the prediction of depression. In the 2nd study, persons who had sustained severe physical disabilities completed the same independent measures and questionnaires of depression and psychosocial impairment. Problem-solving appraisal and social support were predictive of both criterion variables. The 2 independent variables significantly interacted in the prediction of psychosocial functioning. Results are discussed as they pertain to the effects of social support, with particular focus on persons who may have a higher frequency of contact with institutionalized and formal sources of support. Social support has received considerable research attention for several years. Theorists have reasoned that social support promotes psychological well-being in general and buffers people from the deleterious effects of stress (Cohen & Wills, 1985). Many studies have documented the positive relationships between various measures of social support and psychological adjustment (for reviews see Cohen, 1988; Cohen & Wills, 1985). It has been difficult, however, to understand the implications of social support research for counseling interventions. Counselors may help clients use resources in the clients' social environment to augment the course of therapy and to benefit well-being beyond the therapeutic experience (Rook, 1984). Yet few studies to date have investigated the effects of social support on client adjustment during or following counseling. In one relevant study, Mallinckrodt (1989) found that higher levels of social support were related to both positive and negative outcomes among clients in group therapy. Because negative relationships between social support and client adjustment are difficult to explain from existing theories of social support, much is to be clarified before counselors can confidently gear therapeutic interventions with the explicit purpose of enhancing client social support.