It has been hypothesized that the positive relation between stress and strain responses is stronger for individuals who have low levels of social support than for those who have high levels of support. This hypothesis that social support buffers (moderates) the negative effects of stress has been tested extensively in a variety of setting with highly conflicting results. Some theorists have recently proposed that the moderating effect of social support is itself buffered by other variables such as sex or social class. The present study was designed to examine the role of social support in the experience of work stress with a sample large enough to provide statistically powerful tests of models of social support that specify two-way and three-way interactions. No support for higher order interactive models was found. In addition, no evidence emerged demonstrating any buffering effect for social support. Arguments are advanced for a parsimonious model in which social support has a modest direct effect of lowering experienced strain. This research was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (1-R01-MH34408), Daniel C. Ganster, Principal Investigator. We would like to thank Mary Barton and Pamela Perrewe for their assistance in data collection and coding. We would also like to acknowledge the helpful comments of Robert Guion and two anonymous reviewers.

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Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to explore behavioral processes involved in internet technology acceptance and use with a sample in India, a developing country that can potentially benefit from greater participation in the web economy. Design/methodology/approach -User experience was incorporated into the technology acceptance model (TAM) and the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to predict intentions to use the internet as well as self-reported usage. Data were collected from 269 college students with a questionnaire methodology. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was applied to test each theory, as well as user experience, and the variables' interactive effects on the criterion of internet usage intentions. Findings -Both TAM and TPB were supported in their predictions of internet use intentions and usage. Although a main effect for user experience did not emerge, it did significantly interact with components of both theoretical models, suggesting that it has a complex influence on internet user intentions.Research limitations/implications -The self-report criteria are a limitation. Future research should employ more objective measures of internet use. Also, antecedents of internet use might be explored in other developing economies. Practical implications -To encourage internet usage intentions, it appears worthwhile to create in potential users a sense that the technology is useful, easy to use, and that others have expectations regarding its usage. Originality/value -Findings suggest that theories of technology acceptance developed in the Western world may also apply in India.

The main and interactive effects of social support, work role stressors, and locus of control on three health variables were investigated. It was hypothesized that the buffering effect of social support would prevail for individuals with an internal locus of control, but not for those with an external locus of control. Prior research on this hypothesis was extended by (a) examing a sample of 312 fulltime police officers and firefighters, (b) using a multidimensional locus of control measure, and (c) assessing both long-term outcomes (depression and somatic health complaints) and a short-term strain response (epinephrine excretion). Results suggest that social support has ameliorative effects on depression and somatic complaints. Role stressors appear to exacerbate these same outcomes. Two-way interaction effects suggest that (a) social support may buffer the effect of job stress on somatic complaints and (b) externals may respond more strongly to job stress than internals. Interpretation of the significant three-way interactions suggests that locus of control and social support may jointly determine how workers respond to job stress. The form of the interactions, however, differs depending on whether the outcome represents a short-term alarm reaction or a longer-term health outcome.

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