Buffering Effect Of Social Support Research Articles

Stress, social support and cardiovascular activity over the working day

The influence of stress on ambulatory blood pressure monitored over the working day, and the potential buffering effect of social support, was assessed in 104 school teachers (37 men and 67 women). Blood pressure and heart rate were measured every 20 min and energy expenditure was assessed using accelerometers. Participants rated the degree of stress they were experiencing at the time of each measurement on a seven-point scale. Episodes of both high and low stress during the working day were reported by 62 participants. They were divided by median split into high and low social support groups on the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List. After controlling for body mass and concomitant energy expenditure, high stress was associated with increased systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate. However, the impact of stress was buffered by social support, with no significant increase in blood pressure or heart rate with stress in the high support group. The accelerometers were also shown effectively to discriminate between blood pressure readings taken in the seated and standing positions in terms of energy expenditure. The results corroborate laboratory studies, in showing that social support buffers the impact of episodic stress on cardiovascular activity under naturalistic conditions during the working day.

Work Stressors, Drinking with Colleagues after Work, and Job Satisfaction among White-Collar Workers in Japan

Although previous studies have examined the buffering effects of social support and coping style on the relationship between stress and alcohol consumption, they have typically relied on analysis of variance (ANOVA) or regression analysis. In addition, few studies have examined the potential stress-buffering effects of drinking with coworkers after work on the relationship between job stress and job dissatisfaction. In the present study, using a signal detection analysis, we evaluated the interactions of drinking with coworkers after work and work-stressor variables among Japanese white-collar workers (n = 397) in 1997. The analysis was performed for two groups of subjects divided based on their status in the company. This was necessary because in Japan the obligations to drink socially increase with one's rising status in the company. In both the “staff members and lower-level managers” and “middle-level and higher-level managers” groups, an interaction between work-stressor variables and drinking variables was observed. The findings imply that drinking with coworkers after work ameliorated the sense of job dissatisfaction, but only among those subjects who already had lower levels of work stressors. For subjects with high levels of work stressors, attitudes toward drinking with coworkers were unrelated to job satisfaction levels.

Stress, Social Relations, and Old Age Mortality in Taiwan

The research analyzed the relationships among stress, social relations, and mortality in a probability sample of 4,049 Taiwanese adults, aged 60 and over. The baseline survey was conducted in 1989 and the survival status of the respondents was ascertained during the subsequent 4 years. Death of a spouse or a child was found to increase the risk of dying directly and indirectly, whereas major financial difficulty during the past 5 years and current financial strain influenced mortality indirectly through their effects on self-rated health disability. In addition to their direct effect on mortality, martial status and work status lowered the probability of dying through decreased disability and subjective ill health. Finally, no buffering effects of social support were substantiated.

Disability and depressive symptoms in the elderly: the effects of instrumental support and its subjective appraisal.

This article explores the buffering effect of social support on depressive symptoms in a community sample of elderly with varying levels of disability. Baseline interviews were conducted in respondents' homes. Results show that higher levels of disability are associated with higher levels of depression. Instrumental support and subjective appraisal of the network are associated with depressive symptoms, but instrumental support has a weak positive correlation, while subjective appraisals show a negative relationship. Social support mitigates the depressive effect of disability only when the network's efforts are appraised positively. However, no such relationship is shown for instrumental support. One's perception of the network's helpfulness appears to be more potent than the actual help provided by friends and family.

Emotional stress, social support and symptoms of myoarthropathy in adolescents 1The authors thank Dr. Samuel F. Dworkin for critically reviewing the manuscript and J. Hofstetter for editing the English.

Myoarthropathies of the masticatory system (MAP) are a common chronic orofacial condition confronting dentists. Emotional stress is seen as one possible etiological factor of MAP in adults. However, a review of the literature reveals that the correlation between stress and MAP in adolescence has been rarely investigated. If stress is related to MAP as early as adolescence it might be an important risk factor for the course of MAP later on. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between stress (life events, daily hassles), social support and MAP in a non-selected population of adolescents. Participants were 417 pupils 11 to 16-years old. MAP signs and symptoms were assessed by clinical examination during routine dental screening at school, negative life events, school problems and social support by questionnaires. All correlations between stress indicators and the MAP-index were significant, although low (r < .24). Social support correlated negatively with the MAP-index (r = -.14). Multiple regression analyses revealed a significant correlation between the stress indicators and the MAP-index when age and gender were included (multiple R = .27; p < .0001). Stress was a small but significant risk factor for MAP. There was no significant stress-reducing buffering effect of social support. In discriminant analyses and logistic regression about 65% of all cases were correctly classified into two groups with and without MAP. According to these results from a non-selected sample of adolescents, stress and social support are relevant factors already at the beginning of the development of MAP.

Direct and buffering effects of social support on depressive symptoms of the elderly with home help.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the prevalence of depressive symptoms on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the effect of life stressors or social support on depressive symptoms in 303 elderly people receiving social services at home. We conducted a questionnaire survey six times with a 1-month interval. In the initial wave of questionnaires, 92 (31%) scored 16 points or above on the CES-D, indicative of a risk for depression. Before life stressors, subjects with low-level support showed significantly more severe depressive symptoms than those with high-level support. Subjects with low-level support were significantly more depressive after life stressors than they had been before, whereas those with middle- and high-level support showed no such difference. The former and latter results seem to suggest the direct and buffering effects of social support on depressive symptoms, respectively.

An Evaluation of the Impact of Social Support Manipulations on Cardiovascular Reactivity to Laboratory Stressors

Research findings have suggested that social support decreases cardiovascular reactivity and reduces the incidence of cardiovascular disease. The authors describe 2 studies evaluating the association between social support and cardiovascular reactivity to a stressor. In both studies, it was predicted that the presence of a supportive person would exert a buffering effect on cardiovascular reactivity. In Study 1, 68 participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 conditions: alone, supportive, and nonsupportive. In Study 2, 60 participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 conditions: highly supportive, supportive, and nonsupportive. In both studies, a speech was the stressor. Results in both studies showed no significant differences in cardiovascular reactivity between supportive and nonsupportive conditions. The results failed to support the reactivity buffering effects of social support. Findings are explained in terms of evaluation apprehension theory, familiarity of support provider, and level of social support.

Social support as a moderator of the relationship between work stressors and psychological dysfunctioning: A longitudinal study with objective measures.

The match hypothesis proposed by S. Cohen and T. A. Wills (1985) is extended, and the buffer effect of social support is tested within a longitudinal study with objective measures (N = 90 male blue-collar workers in the German metal industry). Stressors at work were ascertained by observers and a variant of a peer rating. Psychological, physical, and social stressors at work and leisure time stressors were ascertained. The dependent variables of dysfunctioning were psychosomatic complaints, depression, irritation/strain, and (social) anxiety. There were moderator effects of social support on the relationship between stressors and psychological dysfunctioning. Results are in line with the match hypothesis as social stressors and socially oriented aspects of psychological dysfunctioning were affected most strongly.

Social support as a moderator of the relationship between work stressors and psychological dysfunctioning: a longitudinal study with objective measures.

The match hypothesis proposed by S. Cohen and T. A. Wills (1985) is extended, and the buffer effect of social support is tested within a longitudinal study with objective measures (N = 90 male blue-collar workers in the German metal industry). Stressors at work were ascertained by observers and a variant of a peer rating. Psychological, physical, and social stressors at work and leisure time stressors were ascertained. The dependent variables of dysfunctioning were psychosomatic complaints, depression, irritation/strain, and (social) anxiety. There were moderator effects of social support on the relationship between stressors and psychological dysfunctioning. Results are in line with the match hypothesis as social stressors and socially oriented aspects of psychological dysfunctioning were affected most strongly.

Social isolation and cardiovascular disease: an atherosclerotic pathway?

This paper outlines two pathways through which social support can influence the prevention or progression of cardiovascular disease: health behaviors and neuroendocrine mechanisms. Its primary focus is on neuroendocrine pathways, reviewing data which suggest that lack of social support is etiologically related to coronary artery lesion development through two mechanisms: sympathetic-adrenomedullary influences on platelet function, heart rate and blood pressure in the initial endothelial injury; and pituitary-adrenal cortical factors involved in smooth muscle cell proliferation during progression of the lesion after injury has taken place. It hypothesizes that the buffering effect of social support on the cardiovascular system is mediated primarily through mechanisms associated with the release of oxytocin.

Child Externalizing Behavior and Parents' Stress: The Role of Social Support

Liza M. Suarez and Bruce L. Baker** We studied the role of social support (marital adjustment, spousal support, and global support) in the relationship between child externalizing behavior problems and mothers' and fathers ' well being. Seventy-five first grade children were classified into three groups (control, moderate externalizing, and high externalizing) based on parent and teacher reports of behavior problems. Outcome measures were parents' perceived negative impact of the child on social relationships, as well as negative and positive feelings toward parenting. There was evidence for main, moderating (buffering), and mediating effects of social support indicators on outcome measures. Implications of these findings for family intervention are discussed. Key Words: child externalizing problems, family marital adjustment, parenting, social support, spousal support. he everyday responsibilities of are stressful for many adults (Cox, Owen, Lewis, & Henderson, 1989). When a child has behavior problems, daily childrearing tasks can affect parental functioning to an even greater extent (Anastopoulos, Guevremont, Shelton, & DuPaul, 1992; Eyberg, Boggs, & Rodriguez, 1992; Fischer, 1990). Hyperactive, aggressive, or defiant child behaviors are often associated with, for example, ineffective discipline strategies, complaints from teachers, social embarrassment, sibling conflicts, and strain in the marital relationship. The pile up of these types of incidents results in greater levels of stress (Webster-Stratton, 1990), and may result in negative parental perceptions of their children. It has been established that child behavior problems are related to higher levels of stress in their parents (Barkley, 1985; Barkley & Cunningham, 1979; Eyberg, Boggs, & Rodriguez, 1992; Humphries, Kinsbourne, & Swanson, 1978; Mash & Johnston, 1990; Mouton & Tuma, 1988). Although we generally employ the commonly used term parenting stress, we are interested in child impact, which is a more general domain that encompasses stress. Impact, however, can be positive or negative, and it can include different aspects of family life. Moreover, one can ask parents directly about the impact of their child, rather than infer this from a correlation between child behavior and parental stress. Donenberg and Baker (1993) assessed parental perceptions of child impact on social, marital, and sibling relationships, on finances, and on positive as well as negative feelings about parenting. Compared with mothers of non-problem children, mothers of children with externalizing behavior problems reported more negative impact in several domains and less positive feelings about parenting. Surprisingly, reported impacts of children with externalizing behaviors on the family were comparable to those reported by mothers of children with autism. The perceived impact of these children's behavior on their families, however, may depend on the resources available to parents for managing problems. A resource domain of particular interest is perceived social support, especially as it relates to childrearing. Researchers have suggested that parents' perceived support, as well as other resources such as education and psychological adjustment, serve to lessen the negative impact of child problems on parental functioning (e.g., Webster-Stratton, 1990; Belsky, 1984). A large body of research has been generated on the role of social support on psychological adjustment. In a literature review, Cohen and Wills (1985) found evidence for both main and buffering effects of social support. The purpose of this study was to examine the mechanisms through which children with externalizing behaviors impact parents' feelings of stress and perceptions of parenting. We were particularly interested in the role of perceived support, including marital adjustment, spousal support, and global social network support. …

Social support and psychiatric sickness absence: a prospective study of British civil servants.

Studies on the direct and buffering effects of social support have not examined psychiatric sickness absence and few studies have considered support both at home and at work. This study addresses prospectively the effects of chronic stressors and social supports, at home and at work, on psychiatric sickness absence rates. Sociodemographic factors, health and social support were measured at baseline, and short and long spells of sickness absence were measured prospectively over a 5-year period. The participants were a subsample of 4202 male and female civil servants, aged 35-55 years at baseline, from an occupational cohort, the Whitehall II Study, who completed detailed social support questions. Support from colleagues and supervisors at work is related to lower risk of short spells of psychiatric sickness absence, particularly for those also receiving high levels of negative aspects of close relationships from their closest person outside work. Negative aspects of close relationships from the closest person increase the risk of taking long spells of psychiatric sickness absence in men. High levels of material problems increase the risk of short spells of sickness absence. Negative aspects of close relationships may have an aetiological role in non-psychotic psychiatric disorder. Social support at work appears to protect against short spells of psychiatric sickness absence. This potentially implies that levels of short spells of absence might be reduced by increasing support at work. Conversely, emotional support at home may influenced absence-related behaviour and encourage a person to take absence at a time of illness.

The impact of conjugal bereavement and the buffering effect of social support on the health of elderly people

This study examined the impact of the spouse's death on the mental and physical health of the elderly, sixty years and older, and the buffering effect of social support against the impact. A three-year study was conducted of 1,087 people whose spouses were alive at the time of the initial survey. Changes over the three-year period were compared among the following three groups: (1) the spouse died within a year prior to the second survey (N = 21); (2) the spouse died more than a year before the survey (N = 47); and (3) the spouse was still alive (N = 901: the comparison group). Results were as follows: (1) Mental and physical health declined more rapidly in the first group than the comparison group, while no significant change was found for the second group. (2) Social support after the spouse loss significantly helped buffer the negative effect on the mental health, but support prior to the loss had no such effect. Social support had no moderating effect on the physical health.

Stress, social support and pregnancy outcome: a reassessment based on recent research.

We present an assessment of studies published in the last decade that consider the relationship of stress and social support to preterm delivery or fetal growth retardation. Included in the review are all reports on the direct effects of stressors or psychological distress; the indirect effects of stressors or distress through health behaviours such as smoking; and the direct and buffering effects of social support. Although an important stimulus for recent stress research has been the attempt to explain racial and social class differences in birth outcome, the recent data show that stressful life events during pregnancy, though more common in disadvantaged groups, do not increase the risk of preterm birth. In contrast, intimate social support from a partner or family member appears to improve fetal growth, even for women with little life stress. Questions unanswered by the research to date are whether elevated levels of depressive symptoms affect pregnancy outcome, either directly or by encouraging negative health behaviours, and whether chronic (vs. acute) stressors are harmful. Additional research is also needed to determine whether psychosocial factors interact with specific clinical conditions to promote adverse pregnancy outcomes. Focusing on intimate support and how it benefits pregnancy outcome could lead to the design of more effective interventions.

Social support and stressful events in two dimensions: life events and illness as an event.

Previous research on the buffering effects of social support focused mainly on life events as stressors, and mental illness as outcome. Furthermore, the question as to why support influences illness has not been subjected to theoretical or empirical study much. In this article we develop a hypothesis on the basis of the theory of social capital. We hypothesize that specific types of social resources are more relevant to the consequences of some events than of others. We test this hypothesis in two ways: (1) by taking life events as stressor and occurrence of illness as outcome, and, which is somewhat unusual, (2) by taking illness as stressor and duration and disabilities of illness as the outcome. Analyses of a representative sample of the Dutch population (N = 10,110) reveal that receiving specific types of support does not lead to better health or less illness in cases of stress. On the contrary, people who are under stress and receive more support, also appear to report more illness, more disabilities and a longer duration. We suggest that in an open sample like ours, the disease level measured is not severe enough to assess buffer effects of social support.

Effective coping with stroke disability in a community setting: the development of a causal model.

A proposed causal model based upon Lazarus' theory of psychological stress and coping was tested in a sample of 75 persons disabled by stroke. Coping constraints such as demographic and stroke factors were hypothesized to affect resources (perceived availability of social support, perceived effectiveness of social support, social contact), stress appraisal, coping behavior and coping effectiveness. Although the model did not fit the data, several path coefficients within the model were statistically significant. Functional status was positively related to resources and negatively related to the stressor. Resources were negatively related to the stressor and positively related to coping effectiveness. It was noted that the buffering effect of social support was related to the level of disability of the stroke person. Persons with functional disability following stroke also had decreased social contact, perceived less availability of social resources and increased threat to physical well-being, and had reduced coping effectiveness.

Social support, social disability, and psychological well-being in rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that may lead to social disability. As a consequence, the psychological well-being of RA patients can be strained. Social support is a possible moderator of the relation between social disability and psychological well-being. The focus of the present study is on the main effect versus the buffering effect of social support. Data on 54 RA patients were gathered by means of a 2-hr interview at the patient's home. Receiving more daily emotional support positively related to greater psychological well-being; whereas problem-oriented emotional support negatively related to some aspects of psychological well-being. People receiving more social companionship turned out to be less depressed. The assumption was confirmed that social support has a major effect on psychological well-being. A buffering effect of social support was not demonstrated.

Conflict and Ambiguity over Work Roles: The Impact on Child Care Worker Burnout

This study looks at the child care workplace from the viewpoints of occupational stress and social support as they relate to staff burnout. Subjects included 188 child care workers from licensed child care centers in predominantly rural areas of Pennsylvania. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to assess the contribution of work role conflict and work role ambiguity (two forms of occupational stress) to predictions of three facets of burnout (i.e., emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, personal accomplishment). In addition, the buffering effect of social support on the relationship between these variables was assessed. The results show that both work role conflict and work role ambiguity predict a significant portion of the variance in all three facets of burnout. In addition, support is provided for the hypothesis that social support buffers the effect of work role conflict and work role ambiguity on perceived emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. The results are discussed in terms of chan...

Parental distress, family conflict, and role of social support for caregivers with or without a child with sickle cell disease.

with SCD and comparison caregivers were found on self-reported psychological distress or family conflict. Distress in primary caregivers was related to perceived family conflict, but not to the presence of a child with SCD or to measures of social support. No evidence was found for a main effect or a buffering effect of social support. These results suggest similar psychological morbidity for caregivers of youth with SCD and healthy children, and highlight the role of family conflict.

Mothers' Receipt of Social Support and their Psychological Well-Being Following Marital Separation

A sample of 144 separated women with children was used to examine the direct and buffering effects of social support on the relationship between stressful life change and their psychological well-being approximately 6 months following marital separation. The results indicated that the relationship between life change and psychological well-being was buffered by various aspects of social support. These aspects were the number of sources from which support was received, support from family and friends, and support that functioned to enhance self-esteem and provide social companionship. In addition, there was a direct, positive relationship between receipt of technical support and psychoemotional well-being.