14.7.2 Effectiveness of Social Support

• Social support refers to the perception and actuality that one is cared for and is part of a supportive social network
• Supportive relationships can help individuals cope with stress.
• What is the role of social support in managing stress?

  Helps maintain well-being
• Match the type of social support with its description:

  Emotional support ↔️ Comfort, empathy, and encouragement

  Instrumental support ↔️ Tangible assistance with tasks

  Informational support ↔️ Advice and guidance

  Appraisal support ↔️ Positive feedback and reassurance
• Social support reduces stress by providing emotional comfort, resources, and guidance
• What is the direct effect of social support on well-being?

  Improves well-being regardless of stress
• The buffering effect of social support protects against the harmful effects of stress when it occurs.
• One example of instrumental support is receiving help from a colleague to finish a project
• Order the steps of how social support reduces stress:

  1️⃣ Direct effect improves well-being

  2️⃣ Buffering effect protects against stress
• What is an example of the direct effect of social support?

  Regular social interaction reduces anxiety
• Friends offering support during a job loss is an example of the buffering effect of social support.
• What is the direct effect of social support on well-being regardless of stress?

  Reduces baseline anxiety
• Social support reduces stress through two main mechanisms
• What is the direct effect of social support on well-being regardless of stress levels?

  Improves baseline anxiety
• The buffering effect of social support protects against the negative effects of stress when it occurs.
• What is an example of the buffering effect of social support?

  Friends support during job loss
• Order the two main mechanisms through which social support reduces stress.

  1️⃣ Direct Effect

  2️⃣ Buffering Effect
• Match the stress-reduction mechanism with its description:

  Direct Effect ↔️ Improves well-being regardless of stress

  Buffering Effect ↔️ Protects against negative stress effects
• What physiological change may occur in individuals with strong social networks during stressful events?

  Lower cortisol levels
• The buffering hypothesis suggests that social support shields individuals from the negative impacts of stress
• When faced with stressors, individuals with strong social networks experience less stress and better well-being.
• What is an example of how the buffering hypothesis works in coping with job loss?

  Support finding new employment
• The direct effects hypothesis suggests that social support enhances well-being regardless of stress
• Match the feature of the direct effects hypothesis with its description:

  Influence on Well-being ↔️ Enhances well-being regardless of stress

  Mechanism ↔️ Provides positive feelings and belonging

  Benefits ↔️ Reduces anxiety, increases self-esteem

  Relationship with Buffering Hypothesis ↔️ One focuses on stress reduction, the other on well-being
• How does regular interaction with supportive friends enhance well-being according to the direct effects hypothesis?

  Reduces baseline anxiety
• Social support includes assistance and perception from family, friends, and colleagues.
• Match the type of social support with its example:

  Emotional Support ↔️ Talking to a friend when stressed

  Instrumental Support ↔️ Receiving help on a project

  Informational Support ↔️ Seeking career advice

  Appraisal Support ↔️ Being praised for good performance
• What are examples of the four types of social support received by a student preparing for exams?

  Emotional, instrumental, informational, appraisal
• What is an example of emotional support during anxiety?

  Talking to a friend
• Social support reduces stress through two primary mechanisms: the direct effect and the buffering effect.
• How does the direct effect of social support improve well-being regardless of stress?

  Enhances belonging and self-esteem
• The buffering hypothesis suggests that social support shields individuals from the negative impacts of stress
• What is an example of the buffering hypothesis in action during workplace harassment?

  Support from colleagues
• The direct effects hypothesis suggests that social support enhances well-being independently of stress levels.
• What is an example of how the direct effects hypothesis works for a student with a strong social network?

  Feels happier regardless of exams
• What is an example of quality social support during bereavement?

  Emotional support
• Introverts may prefer informational support over emotional support.
• What cultural factor influences the acceptability of seeking social support?

  Emphasis on independence
• Research consistently demonstrates that social support mitigates stress through direct and buffering effects.
• What is the overall conclusion of research on social support and stress?

  Strong social networks are crucial