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Abstract
The first of a two-phase project is reported that examined the prospective effects of stress and social support on the physical and mental health of the elderly. A sample of 50 elderly subjects was assessed at two points in time over a 6-month period. Results indicated that social support was a significant predictor of physical health status, whereas mental health was related to the Stress × Social Support interaction term. These latter results were consistent with the buffering hypothesis, in that high levels of social support served to reduce the negative impact of stress on mental health. Individuals who were in better mental health at the initial assessment experienced fewer stressful events and higher levels of social support over the subsequent 6-month period. The implications of these findings for research and theory regarding the relation between stress and social support are discussed.
A consistent association has been found between negative life events and the onset of physical and mental health problems (e.g., Thoits, 1983). Recently, interest has focused on how positive resources, such as social support, may have beneficial effects on health in the context of stressful life experiences. Two different models of the relation between negative life events and social support have been proposed. The first, the buffering hypothesis, states that social support serves a protective role primarily during times of stress, through an enhancement of adaptive coping behavior (Cassel, 1976; Cobb, 1976, 1979). Thus, an interaction between stress and social support in predicting physical and mental health is hypothesized, with the role of social support differing depending on the level of stress. The second model views social support as having positive effects on health and well-being both in the presence and absence of stress. This latter model predicts that there will be a direct relation between social support and physical and mental health, independent of the effects of...