Social support as an individual difference variable: Its stability, origins, and relational aspects.

Abstract

Three studies were carried out in which the following topics were investigated: the stability of social support indices, the relation between these indices and measures of parental bonding, and the relation between the indices and ratings of social behavior. The studies demonstrated that social support levels are stable over periods up to 3 years. They also showed that people high in social support reported having received more parental care (affection, interest, empathy) than did those low in social support. High social support subjects were judged by observers to be more competent leaders and problem solvers than were low-support subjects. Female subjects were judged to be more considerate and friendly than male subjects. The results suggest the value of conceptualizing social support as an individual difference variable as well as an environmental provision.

Social support: a genetic-epidemiologic analysis

“…First, levels of perceived social support are significantly correlated with personality, positively with extraversion and negatively with neuroticism (3,(5)(6)(7). Second, the quality of social support is moderately stable over time (6), so that social support can be conceptualized "as an individual difference variable as well as an environmental provision" (6).…”

“…Second, the quality of social support is moderately stable over time (6), so that social support can be conceptualized "as an individual difference variable as well as an environmental provision" (6). Third, positive social interactions emerge in part as a result of the active effort of individuals to develop and sustain reciprocally supportive relationships (8).…”

The Development of a Social Network following Geographic Relocation

“…These data, along with recent research (Carpenter, in press;Sarason et al, 1986), suggest the need for further attention to the contribution of the individual to social support and social network development. It is possible that 148 different aspects of "relational competence" are emphasized for network development rather than for the maintenance of relationships (Hansson et al, 1984: 10).…”

“…Although the data are scanty, recent studies (Cohen, Clark, and Sherrod, 1986;Sarason, Sarason, Hacker, and Basham, 1985;Sarason, Sarason, and Shearin, 1986) have found an association between social skills and high levels of social support. These findings, as Sarason et ale (1986) Several studies on friendship have focused on variables affecting a person's initial attraction to another (Berscheid andWaster, 1978: Byrne, 1971;Huston and Levinger, 1978).…”

“…The research on social networks and social support generally has ignored the impact of individual difference var iables on soc ial networl<s and social support (Hansson, Jones, and Carpenter, 1984;Sarason et al, 1986). …”