The Role Of Social Support

Question 1

What three forms of social support did Schaefer identify?

Answer 1

1) Instrumental support
2) Emotional support
3) Esteem support

Question 2

What is instrumental support?

Answer 2

Practical and tangible support, physically doing something (e.g. giving someone a lift to hospital) or providing information (telling someone information about stress)

Question 3

What is emotional support?

Answer 3

Makes the stressed personal feel better, to lift their mood. For example, “I’m sorry you’re going through such a tough time”

Question 4

What is esteem support?

Answer 4

Trying to reinforce someone’s faith in themselves, their belief in their ability to tackle a stressful situation. We might express confidence in them.

Question 5

Who conducted research into social support?

Answer 5

Cohen

Question 6

What was the procedure used in Cohen’s research into social support?

Answer 6

Telephoned 404 healthy adult participants every evening for 14 consecutive days to measure the number of hugs they received each day.

Participants also completed questionnaire to assess perceived social support. Stress was measured in terms of daily interpersonal conflicts.

Researchers exposed them to common cold virus in quarantine and monitored them for signs of illness.

Question 7

What did Cohen find in her research into social support?

Answer 7

Participants who experienced the most interpersonal conflict were most likely to become ill. Those who perceived they had greater social support had a significantly reduced risk of illness. Most frequent hugs were less likely to become infected and symptoms were less severe.