Trait and Social Processes in the Link Between Social Support and Affect: An Experimental, Laboratory Investigation

Abstract

This study investigated the extent to which the link between perceived social support and affect reflected support recipients' trait perceived support as well as three distinct social processes: the objective supportiveness of providers, the unique relationships among recipients and providers that were stable over occasions, as well as the unique relationships that varied across occasions. Ten recipients interacted with each of the same four providers on five separate occasions, for a total of 200 interactions. Recipients and independent observers rated recipient affect and provider support. Greater perceived support was related to greater positive affect for recipients' trait perceived support, as well as for relationships that were stable over occasions and relationships that varied across occasions. No social support effects were found for negative affect. Perceived similarity was a consistent predictor of recipients' support perceptions. Implications for social support models and interventions were discussed.

Links Among Attachment Dimensions, Affect, the Self, and Perceived Support for Broadly Generalized Attachment Styles and Specific Bonds

“…For example, the generalized styles component of attachment may have a stronger link to favorable affect than the specific bonds component, or vice versa. Such distinct patterns of correlations have been observed in studies of social support and social conflict (Lakey et al, 2004;Lakey & Scoboria, 2005;Neely et al, 2006).…”

“…Yet, unless a given study is designed to separate variance into styles and bonds components (i.e., participants rate attachment and related constructs experienced with more than one target), it is not possible to know the extent to which a correlation between insecure attachment and negative affect, for example, reflects generalized styles or specific bonds. As defined by G/SRM approaches, the components that correspond to generalized styles are statistically distinct from the components that correspond to specific bonds, and therefore, each component can have different relations to other constructs (Lakey, Lutz, & Scoboria, 2004;Lakey & Scoboria, 2005;Neely et al, 2006). For example, the generalized styles component of attachment may have a stronger link to favorable affect than the specific bonds component, or vice versa.…”

“…When participants rate attachment style in general, or rate only one specific relationship, their scores reflect a blend of participants' generalized attachment styles as well as specific bonds. Similarly, when participants rate their general levels of positive and negative affect or self-esteem, their scores reflect stable individual differences as well as the influences of specific bonds (Lakey & Scoboria, 2005;Neely et al, 2006). Yet, unless a given study is designed to separate variance into styles and bonds components (i.e., participants rate attachment and related constructs experienced with more than one target), it is not possible to know the extent to which a correlation between insecure attachment and negative affect, for example, reflects generalized styles or specific bonds.…”

The Moderating Role of Positive and Negative Affect on the Relationship between Perceived Social Support and Stress in College Students

“…In another study (McKinley, 2013), the significant negative relation between emotional support and perceived stress in college students lost its significance after the focus on problem solving (coping with stress) was fully mediated. These studies leave the impression that social support that is more related to positive affect (Neely et al, 2006;Zhang, Chan, & Teng, 2011) is not sufficient to decrease the effects of various internal and external negative stimuli that can cause stress, and stress could be decreased as mediated by personal traits such as problem-solving skills. This condition gives rise to the thought that social support is protective against stress in more "ordinary" conditions but is not functional when negative affect is experienced.…”

“…Lyubomirsky et al (2005), in their study of empirical, longitudinal, and relational study reviews, indicate that positive affect is a "reason" facilitating adjustment skills such as social interaction, problem solving, and coping with stress rather than being a "result. " It could be expected that positive affect, a concept highly related to social support (Neely et al, 2006;Zhang et al, 2011), and a factor that increases an individual's adjustment, will facilitate the positive effect of social support in coping with stress. On the other hand, it could also be thought that considering social support as a source for coping with stress does not significantly contribute to the decrease of negative affect (Hamama et al, 2013).…”