Buffer Effect of Social Support

Explanations > Theories > Buffer Effect of Social Support

Description | Research | Example | So What? | See also | References 

Description

People who feel supported by others feel less stress. If you know your friends will support you and there is someone with whom you can talk things through, somehow stressful situations are more tolerable.

Research

Nucholls, Callell and Kaplin (1972) investigated complications in pregnant women suffering different levels of stress. They found that 91% with high stress and low social support suffered complications, compared with only 33% had complications who also had high stress but did have social support.

Example

Terminally ill people who join support groups are likely to live longer.

So what?

Using it

Make sure you have social support. If you want to coerce the other person, try to remove their social support, for example by enticing their friends away from them.

Defending

Keep talking with different groups of friends. Ensure they continue to support you through difficult times.

See also

Least Interest Principle

References

Cohen and Hoberman (1982), Nucholls, Callell and Kaplin (1972)

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