Social Support

Question 1

Integratedness

Answer 1

= having closer - knit social group with stronger attachments may provide greater social support than wider circle

. The intensity and amount of support we receive from our social support system within which we are integrated

Question 2

Types of social support
(Schaefer et al identified at least 3 distinct forms)

Answer 2

1. Instrumental Support
   - predictable/tangible support - form of physically doing something to help and providing information
2. Esteem Support
   - try and reinforce someone’s faith in themselves
3. Emotional Support
   - expresses warmth, concern, affection - no practical support

Question 3

Research Support (Cohen et al)

Answer 3

Wondered if hugs offered protection against stress - related infections
- phoned 404 participants everyday or 2 weeks to ask number of hugs received
- completed questionnaire to assess social support
- stress measured in terms of arguments
Participants then placed in quarantine and exposed to a virus

Question 4

Findings of Cohen et al

Answer 4

Mure hugs = less illness
Count for up to 1/3 of protective effect of social support

Question 5

Evaluation (supportive research studies)

Answer 5

. Randomly allocated patients with malignant melanoma to support group for 6 weeks - group provided emotional/instrumental support (gaining info and advice about illness)
. 6yrs later, support group had better NK cell functioning and were more likely to be alive compared to control group

COUNTER-ARGUMENT = serious ethical issues - some denied opportunity that could improve health

Question 6

Evaluation (Cultural Influences)

Answer 6

. Taylor et al found Asian - Americans much less likely to seek and use social support over stress.
^ concerned not to disrupt the harmony of their communities

COUNTER-ARGUMENT = instead it is because there is not enough access to social support for ethnic minorities . E.g: black males