Instrumental Social Support Research Articles

COPING STRATEGIES AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING: A STUDY ON A SELECTED PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUE OF THE POST-GRADUATE STUDENTS IN KARNATAKA UNIVERSITY

The mean aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between the coping strategies and psychological well-being of college students hurt in relationship. Purposive sample of 322 students are taken as sample for the present study. The participants are recruited students from main campus studying in various departments of Karnataka University, Dharwad respondents selected through using simple random sampling and Dharwad was research area. The researcher employed COPE Inventory, scale developed by Carver (1989), which measured coping in 15 areas The full length version of the COPE Inventory was used to measure stress coping skills and Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scale (1995) This is a 18 item scale used to assess the psychological well-being .Pearson correlation coefficients and Stepwise multiple regression were employed in the analysis to find out the relationship between coping and psychological wellbeing and to predict psychological wellbeing from coping strategies. Results revealed that a total of 63.5% of the psychological wellbeing contributed by 11 coping strategies of the students hurt in relationship. Positive reinterpretation and growth, Focus on and venting of emotions and Behavioral disengagement coping strategies contributed maximum to the psychological wellbeing of the sample hurt in relationships. Denial, active coping, acceptance, use of emotional social support, use of instrumental social support and planning contributed least to the psychological wellbeing. Religious coping and restraint coping strategies moderately contributed to psychological wellbeing

EEG Based Brain Effective Connectivity Maturation During the First Year of Life

The pathways linking giving and receiving emotional and instrumental social support, and cardiovascular reactivity (CVR) are not yet fully understood. Eight-two healthy young adults completed psychometric measures of giving and receiving emotional and instrumental social support and participated in a standardised laboratory stress task. Cardiovascular and hemodynamic parameters were monitored throughout. Both giving and receiving emotional support were positively associated with systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), such that those reporting giving and receiving more emotional support had higher reactivity. Only receiving instrumental was associated with DBP, with those receiving more instrumental support having higher reactivity. Moreover, while the significant association between giving social support and CVR withstood adjustment for several confounding factors (e.g., BMI, sex) it was abolished when receiving support was controlled for. These findings are novel and extend the literature on social support and CVR. Taken together, these findings suggest that receipt of support, rather than giving, may be more influential in this context.

Outcomes of Hospital at Home for Older Adults with and without High Levels of Social Support.

The evaluation of social support within hospital at home (HaH) programs has been limited. We performed a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort evaluation of 295 participants receiving HaH care and 212 patients undergoing traditional hospitalization from November of 2014 to August of 2017. We examined the confounding and moderating effects of instrumental and informational social support upon length of stay and 30-day rehospitalization, emergency department (ED) visit, and skilled nursing facility admission. Instrumental social support attenuated the effects of HaH upon any ED visit (base model: OR 0.61, p = 0.037; controlling for social support: OR 0.71, p = 0.15). The association of HaH with other outcomes remained unchanged. Interactions between HaH and informational or instrumental social support for all outcomes were not significant. Lack of high levels of social support had little effect on the positive outcomes of HaH care, suggesting similar benefits of HaH services for patients with lower levels of social support.

Psychologically empowered during the job search: How empowering counseling affects job search process quality.

Computerization, environmental challenges, and the economic slowdown related to COVID-19 are expected to result in an increased number of job seekers in the near future. Although the quality of the job search process has been theoretically and empirically linked to job search success and employment quality, research on the determinants of job search process quality has been scarce. The present study uses the self-regulatory model of job search process quality to propose empowering counseling and psychological empowerment during the job search as promoting factors of job search process quality. Data was collected in a sample of clients at an outplacement agency at two separate points in time, 12 weeks apart. In total, 128 clients completed both questionnaires. The results of a moderated mediation analysis suggest that empowering counseling had a positive, indirect effect on job search process quality through psychological empowerment. This indirect effect was moderated by the bond with the counselor, such that the effect was stronger when the bond with the counselor was stronger. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement What's It Mean? Implications for Consulting Psychology -This research considers career counselors to be sources of instrumental and emotional social support for job seekers. An empowering counseling style is shown to be positively associated with psychological empowerment during the job search. Through psychological empowerment, empowering counseling is indirectly associated with the quality of the job search process. Counselors are advised to invest in relationships with their clients to enhance the indirect effect of empowering counseling on job search process quality. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)

Relationship of Gratitude and Coping Styles with Depression in Caregivers of Children with Special Needs.

This is a cross-sectional, descriptive and correlational study aiming to reveal the relationship of gratitude and coping styles with depression in caregivers of children with special needs. As a result of the study, which was conducted with 330 caregivers, it was determined that the caregivers’ level of gratitude was high. In this study, it was found that the caregivers used mostly turning to religion, planning, positive reinterpretation, and instrumental social support as coping styles respectively. It was established that there was a significant correlation between caregivers’ depression level and gender, education level, level of gratitude, focus on and venting of emotions, substance use, behavioural disengagement, positive reinterpretation, using emotional social support and planning coping styles. The depression disclosure level was found to be 17.8%. For holistic nursing care, the assessment of spiritual care and spiritual needs of caregivers is very important because of its positive effect on mental health.

Impact of social support on severity of depressive symptoms by remission status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

We aimed to examine the psychosocial characteristics of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by remission status and determine the impacts of social support on severity of depressive symptoms. We enrolled RA patients aged 40-79 years who visited university hospitals' outpatient clinics. Severity of depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II), physical disability (Health Assessment Questionnaire), and support were evaluated. Furthermore, RA disease activity was evaluated by 28-point Disease Activity Score (DAS28) calculation. The independent impacts of instrumental and emotional social support on depressive symptoms by remission status defined as DAS28 score < 2.6 were estimated by multivariable regression analysis. This study included 360 RA patients. In the remission group, emotional support showed a statistically significant negative impact on depressive symptoms, whereas instrumental support had an extremely limited contribution to severity of depressive symptoms. In the non-remission group, instrumental support showed a negative tendency of impact on severity of depressive symptoms, whereas emotional support had a wide range of influence. Favourable association between emotional support and depressive symptoms is confirmed only among RA patients in remission status. The influence of emotional support in non-remission patients and that of instrumental support regardless of remission status are inconclusive.

A moderated moderation of living arrangements and social support on the relationship between depressive symptoms and medication adherence in patients with heart failure

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National Institute of Nursing Research grant Background Medication adherence is essential to improve health outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). Depressive symptoms contribute to decrease adherence behaviors. Although social support is helpful to improving medication adherence, perceived social support (PSS) may differ by living arrangement. How social support and living arrangement contribute to the relationship between depressive symptoms and medication adherence is not well understood in patients with heart failure. Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine whether perceived social support and living arrangement moderated the association between depressive symptoms and medication adherence. Methods This was a secondary analysis from outpatients with HF. Depressive symptoms were measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Perceived social support was assessed using Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and patients were grouped into high and low PSS groups using a score of 79, the upper tertile value. Medication adherence was measured objectively by a medication event monitoring system for 3-months. Living arrangement was classified as (1) living with a spouse, (2) living with non-spouse family or friend, or (3) living alone. Moderated moderation analysis was conducted using PROCESS macro (Model 3) in SPSS with 5,000 bootstrap samples. Results Of the total of 208 patients (mean age = 61 ± 11.5 years, 64% male), 60% lived with spouse, 22% lived with non-spousal family or friend, and 26% lived alone. Three-way interaction (depressive symptoms*living arrangement*PSS) was significant (p = 0.0324, Figure 1). The effect of depressive symptoms on medication adherence was only significant for two groups (Figure 2): the living alone group with high PSS (effect = - 4.1855, p = 0.0021), and the living with a non-spousal family group with low PSS (effect = -1.0180, p = 0.0349). For these groups, their depressive symptoms were inversely associated with medication adherence. Conclusions: These results suggest that living arrangement and perceived social support are factors to be considered in medication adherence when planning care for patients with depressive symptoms. Future research is needed to explore whether the combined intervention of improving depressive symptoms and social support focusing on instrumental social support effectively increases medication adherence.

Sense of coherence and strategies for coping with stress among nurses

BackgroundThe nursing profession is associated with constant presence of difficult situations and stress, which arise from responsibility for the highest values – human life and health. With demographic changes in the society, the demand for nursing care increases. Looking after the health of nursing staff becomes a non-material investment in employees. One of the most important health potentials described in literature is the sense of coherence. It can significantly contribute to maintaining good health, modify one’s functioning in a stressful working environment and influence the choice of strategies for coping with stress.AimThe aim of the study was to describe the specific relationship between the sense of coherence and strategies for coping with stress in a group of professionally active nurses.Methodology and methodsThe study involved 91 nurses in central Poland, aged 22–52. The group was diversified in terms of: education, work system, marital status and place of residence. The study was conducted with the use of: Sense of Coherence Questionnaire SOC-29 and Inventory to Measure Coping Strategies with Stress - Mini-COPE. The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of scientific research set out in the Helsinki Declaration.ResultsThe sense of coherence value in the test group was M = 134.24 (SD = 19.55). In stressful situations nurses most often used active strategies to cope with stress: Planning M = 2.10 (SD = 0.54), Seeking Emotional Social Support M = 1.95 (SD = 0.68) and Seeking Instrumental Social Support M = 1.95 (SD = 0.69), and the least frequently: Alcohol/Drug Use M = 0.28 (SD = 0.48). The level of the sense of coherence and its components differentiated the strategies of coping with stress used in the examined group of nurses.ConclusionsThe research confirmed that the sense of coherence serves as a health potential in a stressful working environment - a high sense of coherence translate into better mental health, correct functioning in the working environment, and using adaptive strategies of coping with stress. Nurses with a stronger sense of coherence used more adaptive strategies to deal with stress than those with average or low levels.

The strategies for coping with stress of epilepsy patients.

This study aims to compare the styles of coping with stress between patients with epilepsy and healthy individuals and to examine the effects of clinical features on methods of coping with stress. The study enrolled 120 patients diagnosed with epilepsy. Forty healthy individuals were included as control group. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded. The patients and controls completed the Coping Strategies with Stress Inventory (COPE), which comprises 60 items distributed into 15 scales. The COPE scores of the patients and controls were compared. Comparing the COPE scores of the patients and controls, the substance use score was higher in the controls. In terms of gender, seeking instrumental social support, active coping, seeking emotional social support, acceptance, and emotion-focused total coping scores were higher in women among patients. In terms of marital status, the positive reinterpretation and growth score of single patients was significantly higher than that of married patients. In patients with a history of febrile convulsions, the active coping, seeking emotional social support, and denial scores were higher. In terms of treatment, for the patients receiving polytherapy, the suppression of competing activities, focus on and venting of emotions, and dysfunctional total coping scores were higher than in patients receiving monotherapy. Epilepsy and stress are intertwined conditions. Epilepsy patients, confronted with stress, avoided using alcohol and substances compared to healthy individuals. There were differences among epilepsy patients according to gender, marital status, febrile convulsion history, number of medications, and approaches to coping with stress.

First weeks out: Social support stability and health among formerly incarcerated men

RationaleSocial support has a lasting and robust impact on individuals' health, wellness, and longevity. Having social support and a reliable social network is especially important for individuals returning from prison. Upon release, individuals are often left with fragmented, if any, interpersonal relationships, which influences their overall health. When a released person's support network becomes erratic or unstable, they may be unlikely to successfully reintegrate. Additionally, the impediments and stressors associated with community reentry—particularly after a long prison sentence—impact released persons' ability to preserve their physical and mental health. ObjectiveThe current study examines the effects of the stability of social support on physical and mental health in a sample of recently released men in Texas. MethodsData are from the LoneStar Project, a longitudinal study of men released from prison, to examine the crucial nature of social support stability on health in a unique sample of reentering persons. Regression models are employed to examine the effect of diverse domains of social support stability on self-rated physical and mental health in the first few weeks after prison release. ResultsFindings indicate that emotional and instrumental social support stability from family and friends is essential to positive self-assessments of mental health, but not physical health, among a group of recently incarcerated men. ConclusionsResults regarding the intricacies of the pathway between various stable support types and mental health are discussed. Relevant practical implications include the need for quality mental health care that must begin during the prison term to minimize stressors associated with psychological health upon reentry. Policy-related ramifications comprise a push to establish support programs for families to develop positive support outcomes for the released person during the reentry process, enabling family members to attain practical skills to increase family and individual well-being long term.

The balance of giving versus receiving social support and all-cause mortality in a US national sample

While numerous studies exist on the benefits of social support (both receiving and giving), little research exists on how the balance between the support that individuals regularly give versus that which they receive from others relates to physical health. In a US national sample of 6,325 adults from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States, participants were assessed at baseline on hours of social support given and received on a monthly basis, with all-cause mortality data collected from the National Death Index over a 23-y follow-up period. Participants who were relatively balanced in the support they gave compared to what they received had a lower risk of all-cause mortality than those who either disproportionately received support from others (e.g., received more hours of support than they gave each month) or disproportionately gave support to others (e.g., gave many more hours of support a month than they received). These findings applied to instrumental social support (e.g., help with transportation, childcare). Additionally, participants who gave a moderate amount of instrumental social support had a lower risk of all-cause mortality than those who either gave very little support or those who gave a lot of support to others. Associations were evident over and above demographic, medical, mental health, and health behavior covariates. Although results are correlational, one interpretation is that promoting a balance, in terms of the support that individuals regularly give relative to what they receive in their social relationships, may not only help to strengthen the social fabric of society but may also have potential physical health benefits.

Association Between Social Relationships, Depressive Symptoms, Food Security, Usual Protein Intake and Healthcare Utilization in Homebound Older Adults: A PATH Analysis

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to measure the direct and indirect relationships between food insecurity (FI), dietary intake (DI), social relationships (SR), depressive symptoms (DS) and their impact on healthcare utilization (HU) in older adults receiving home-delivered meals (HDM) using data from the national 2015–17 Outcomes Evaluation Study. Methods The 2015–2017 Outcomes Evaluation Study is a multistage, clustered, longitudinal observational study of 641 older adults; 306 HDM recipients, and 335 matching controls. Study participants were homebound older adults aged 67 years and older. Measurements: Demographic, health-related, dietary and hospitalization data were obtained using a Client Outcomes Survey, 24-hour dietary recalls and Medicare files. Structural equation modeling was used to measure the direct and indirect relationships between FI, SR, DS, HU and DI (usual protein intake), estimated using the National Cancer Institute's statistical modeling method. Results HDM recipients’ mean usual protein intake (34.0 grams) was significantly higher than controls (31.8 grams), but both groups had mean usual protein intakes that were lower than recommendations. FI prevalence in HDM recipients and controls was 25.1% and 16.0%; respectively. Greater severity of FI was associated with lower usual protein intake in both groups. Receiving instrumental social support was directly associated with lesser severity of FI in HDM recipients, and higher FI was associated with more DS only in controls. Eating alone was associated with lower usual protein intake and greater hospitalizations in the controls. Conclusions HDM recipients and controls may be at a high risk for protein insufficiency, further underscored by the high prevalence of FI. Received instrumental social support can play an important role among HDM recipients and controls, both vulnerable populations. Findings also highlight the need for validated tools to measure different aspects of social relationships in older adults. Funding Sources No funding sources to declare.

Towards an understanding of how stress and resources affect the nonmedical use of prescription drugs for performance enhancement among employees

Based on assumptions of the Job Demands-Resources model, we investigated employees’ willingness to use prescription drugs such as methylphenidate and modafinil for nonmedical purposes to enhance their cognitive functioning as a response to strain (i.e., perceived stress) that is induced by job demands (e.g., overtime, emotional demands, shift work, leadership responsibility). We also examined the direct and moderating effects of resources (e.g., emotional stability, social and instrumental social support) in this process. We utilized data from a representative survey of employees in Germany (N = 6454) encompassing various job demands and resources, levels of perceived stress, and willingness to use nonmedical drugs for performance enhancement purposes. By using Structural Equation Models, we found that job demands (such as overtime and emotional demands) and a scarcity of resources (such as emotional stability) increased strain, consequently directly and indirectly increasing the willingness to use prescription drugs for cognitive enhancement. Moreover, emotional stability reduced the effect of certain demands on strain. These results delivered new insights into mechanisms behind nonmedical prescription drug use that can be used to prevent such behaviour and potential negative health consequences.

Gender Differences in Psychological Well-Being in Emerging Adulthood

Gender is recognized as an important social determinant of health, but past research on gender differences in psychological well-being have not produced conclusive results. This study investigated gender differences in eudaimonic well-being and life satisfaction in emerging adulthood. A cross-sectional study with a sample of 1990 emerging adults (50% males) from the Spanish general population was conducted. Participants were assessed through five questionnaires. Results showed that women scored higher than men in purpose in life and personal growth. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that the most important predictors of emerging adult men’s and women’s eudaimonic well-being and life satisfaction were higher self-confidence and lower negative self-evaluation. Other significant variables in the eudaimonic well-being of both women and men were higher score in the masculine/instrumental trait, higher emotional social support, higher educational level, and higher score in the feminine/expressive trait. Furthermore, higher instrumental social support was associated with eudaimonic well-being in females. Other predictors of women’s and men’s life satisfaction were higher score in the feminine/expressive trait, less age, higher educational level and higher instrumental social support. In addition, higher emotional social support was associated with life satisfaction in males. The results suggest that gender is important in the psychological well-being of people in emerging adulthood, although self-esteem and instrumental social support are, in both emerging adult women and men, the most important predictors of psychological well-being.

Effects of clinical Pilates exercises on cardiovascular endurance and psychosomatic parameters on primary caregivers of special needs children: A randomized controlled trial.

Our objective was to investigate the effects of clinical Pilates exercises (CPE), applied to the primary caregivers of special needs children, on cardiovascular endurance (CVE) and psychosomatic parameters in comparison to a control group. Fifty-five primary caregivers of special needs children, divided into two groups as the CPE and control groups, were included in the study. The six-minute walk test, the Fatigue Severity Scale, the Coping Orientation for Problems Experienced (COPE) Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were used to measure CVE, fatigue severity, attitudes toward coping with problems, depression levels and anxiety levels, respectively. Statistically significant differences between the groups in favor of the CPE group were found concerning the denial parameter of COPE, fatigue (which was the primary outcome), depression and anxiety (all p values < 0.05). Statistically significant intragroup comparison differences were only detected in the CPE group in the fatigue, depression, anxiety and COPE (use of instrumental and emotional social support and focus on and venting of emotions) questionnaire results (all p values < 0.05). CPE are an applicable and effective method for the primary caregivers of special needs children in improving psychosomatic parameters, albeit not effective for CVE. It is recommended to investigate the long-term effects of clinical Pilates exercises on a similar group.

Ecological Momentary Assessment of the Relationship between Positive Outcome Expectancies and Gambling Behaviour.

Relapse prevention models suggest that positive outcome expectancies can constitute situational determinants of relapse episodes that interact with other factors to determine the likelihood of relapse. The primary aims were to examine reciprocal relationships between situational positive gambling outcome expectancies and gambling behaviour and moderators of these relationships. An online survey and a 28 day Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) were administered to 109 past-month gamblers (84% with gambling problems). EMA measures included outcome expectancies (enjoyment/arousal, self-enhancement, money), self-efficacy, craving, negative emotional state, interpersonal conflict, social pressure, positive emotional state, financial pressures, and gambling behaviour (episodes, expenditure). Pre-EMA measures included problem gambling severity, motives, psychological distress, coping strategies, and outcome expectancies. No reciprocal relationships between EMA outcome expectancies and gambling behaviour (episodes, expenditure) were identified. Moderations predicting gambling episodes revealed: (1) cravings and problem gambling exacerbated effects of enjoyment/arousal expectancies; (2) positive emotional state and positive reframing coping exacerbated effects of self-enhancement expectancies; and (3) instrumental social support buffered effects of money expectancies. Positive outcome expectancies therefore constitute situational determinants of gambling behaviour, but only when they interact with other factors. All pre-EMA expectancies predicted problem gambling severity (OR = 1.61–3.25). Real-time interventions addressing gambling outcome expectancies tailored to vulnerable gamblers are required.

Constructive coping strategies as predictors of positive mental health in young adults

OBJECTIVE The aim of present research was to study the relationship between constructive coping strategies and positive mental health (flourishing) among university students. It also aimed to investigate the predictive role of constructive coping strategies in determining positive mental health. STUDY DESIGN Correlational research design was used for this research. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY The study was conducted in HEC recognized public universities of Lahore during 2016-2017. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A sample of 223 undergraduate and postgraduate students with age range of 19 to 28 years was selected for research. Constructive coping strategies were measured by COPE Inventory and positive mental health was measured by flourishing scale. RESULTS The results showed that, active coping, religious coping positive reinterpretation and growth, and use of instrumental social support were positively correlated with the positive mental health among students. Active coping was the strongest predictor of positive mental health followed by positive reinterpretation and religious coping. The females scored higher on religious coping strategy while males were higher on humor and social-support as coping strategies. CONCLUSION Active coping, religious coping, positive reinterpretation and social support were helpful in enhancing positive mental health among university students. Females made greater use of religious coping strategy whereas males employed humor as coping strategy. The study has important implications in student counselling. It implies how coping can enhance subjective positive mental health among students.

A Quantitative Study on Pregnancy Fears and Coping Methods of Pregnant Women

Purpose:The aim of this study was to determine the fear of birth and coping methods of pregnant women. Patients and Methods:Methods : The study was descriptive and the sample of the study consisted of 619 pregnant women who applied to XXXXX State Hospital on 15 April-20 September 2019. The data of the study was collected with descriptive characteristics form, Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire and Brief COPE scale. Data were evaluated with numerical value, percentage, One-Way ANOVA, Indentpendent Samples t-test, and Pearson correlation. Level of significance was accepted as p <0.05. Results:It was found that 96.0% of the women stated that they willingly became pregnant. Mean Wijma Delivery Expectation/Experience Questionnaire of the pregnant women who participated in the study was 41.53±12.49. It was found that 40.1% of pregnant women had low level of birth fear and 56.5% had moderate level of birth fear. It was found that the mean scores of Wijma Expectation/Experience Scale of pregnant women who were unwillingly pregnant were significantly higher than the mean scores of pregnant women who were willingly pregnant. Positive reinterpretation, using instrumental social support, inclination to religion, acceptance and planning were found to be negatively correlated with Wijma Birth Expectation/Experience Scale-A Version. Conclusion:It was found that more than half of the pregnant women had moderate and severe birth fear. In the study, a negative relationship was found between the fear of birth and some sub-dimensions of the Coping Styles Scale

The Impact of Social Support on Treatment Participation and Completion in a Disability Prevention Intervention for Older Adults.

Objectives: This study evaluates the role of emotional and instrumental social support on treatment participation and completion using the Positive Minds-Strong Bodies (PMSB) disability prevention program. Methods: Data from a multisite randomized controlled trial of the PMSB program for older adults (≥60years) with physical impairment and mild to severe depression and/or anxiety were used. Participants were randomly assigned to receive 10 sessions of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) plus 36 sessions of group exercise or usual care. Results: Adjusting for covariates, higher levels of emotional social support at baseline were associated with increased odds of completing the recommended number of CBT sessions (6 or more, OR = 2.58, p = .030), attending 5.56 more exercise sessions (p = .006), and increased odds of completing the recommended exercise sessions (25 or more, OR = 2.37, p = .047). Discussion: Emotional social support appears to increase dosage in a disability prevention program.

The cardiovascular response to acute psychological stress is related to subjectively giving and receiving social support

The pathways linking giving and receiving emotional and instrumental social support, and cardiovascular reactivity (CVR) are not yet fully understood. Eight-two healthy young adults completed psychometric measures of giving and receiving emotional and instrumental social support and participated in a standardised laboratory stress task. Cardiovascular and hemodynamic parameters were monitored throughout. Both giving and receiving emotional support were positively associated with systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), such that those reporting giving and receiving more emotional support had higher reactivity. Only receiving instrumental was associated with DBP, with those receiving more instrumental support having higher reactivity. Moreover, while the significant association between giving social support and CVR withstood adjustment for several confounding factors (e.g., BMI, sex) it was abolished when receiving support was controlled for. These findings are novel and extend the literature on social support and CVR. Taken together, these findings suggest that receipt of support, rather than giving, may be more influential in this context.