Abstract
Social support is a central concept in community psychology. It is a concept that attempts to capture helping transactions that occur between people who share the same households, schools, neighborhoods, workplaces, organizations, and other community settings. From our own experiences, we are all aware of the benefits that can occur, both tangible and intangible, when neighbors help neighbors in both everyday tasks and emergencies. We are aware that in response to disasters, entire communities can become mobilized in rendering help to family, friends, neighbors, and complete strangers. Intuitively, we understand how the degree of caring expressed between community members can contribute to our psychological sense of community and the perceived safety of the places in which we live. In some of the most challenging moments of our lives, when we are faced with profound loss, serious threats to health, or personal adversity, we often seek out others for information, reassurance, advice, or concrete aid. Because our experience of social support is common and at times dramatic, it is easy to comprehend that as social scientists we became fascinated with trying to measure these natural resources, understanding their relation to adapting to adversity, and harnessing their power in planned interventions
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Albee, G. W. (1982). Preventing psychopathology and promoting human potential American Psychologist, 37, 1043–1050
Aneshensel, C. S., & Stone, J. D. (1982). Stress and depression: A test of the buffering model of social support. Archives of General Psychiatry, 39, 1393–1396
Atkinson, T., Liem, R., & Liem, J. H. (1986). The social costs of unemployment: Implications for social support. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 27, 317–331
Barrera, M., Jr. (1981). Social support in the adjustment of pregnant adolescents: Assessment issues. In B. H. Gottlieb (Ed.), Social networks and social support (pp. 69–96). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage
Barrera, M., Jr. (1986). Distinctions between social support concepts, measures, and models. American Journal of Community Psychology, 14, 413–445
Barrera, M., Jr. (1988). Models of social support and life stress: beyond the buffering hypothesis. In L. H. Cohen (Ed.), Life events and psychological functioning. Theoretical and methodological issues (pp. 211–236). Newbury Park, CA: Sage
Barrera, M., Jr. (1991). Social support interventions and the third law of ecology. American Journal of Community Psychology,19, 133–138
Barrera, M., Jr. (1997). Appraising the action validity of social support research: Implications for community interventions and public policy Presidential address to the Society for Community Research and Action (Div. 27), annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Chicago
Barrera, M., Jr., & Ainlay, S. (1983). The structure of social support: A conceptual and empirical analysis. Journal of Community Psychology, 11,133–143
Barrera, M., Jr., & Baca, L. M. (1990). Recipient reactions to social support: Contributions of enacted support, conflicted support and network orientation. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 7, 541–551
Barrera, M., Jr., & Garrison-Jones, C. V. (1992). Family and peer social support as specific correlates of adolescent depressive symptoms. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 20,1–16
Barrera, M., Jr., & Li, S. A. (1996). The relation of family support to adolescents’ psychological distress and problem behaviors. In G. R. Pierce, I. Sarason, & B. Sarason (Eds.), The handbook of social support and family relationships (pp. 313–343). New York: Plenum
Barrera, M., Jr., & Prelow, H. (in press). Interventions to promote social support in children and adolescents. In D. Cicchetti, J. Rappaport, I. Sandler, & R. Weissberg (Eds.), The promotion of wellness in children and adolescents Beverly Hills, CA: Sage
Barrera, M., Jr., Sandler, I. N., & Ramsay, T. B. (1981). Preliminary development of a scale of social support: Studies on college students. American Journal of Community Psychology, 9, 435–447
Bell, R. A., LeRoy, J. B., & Stephenson, J. J. (1982). Evaluating the mediating effects on social support upon life events and depressive symptoms. Journal of Community Psychology, 10, 325–340
Belle, D. (Ed.). (1989). Children’s social networks and social supports New York: Wiley
Blaney, P. H., & Ganellen, R. J. (1990). Hardiness and social support. In B. R. Sarason, I. G. Sarason, & G. R. Pierce (Eds.), Social support: An interactional view (pp. 297–318). New York: Wiley
Bogat, G. A., Sullivan, L. A., & Grober, J. (1993). Applications of social support to preventive interventions. In D. S. Glenwick & L. A. Jason (Eds.), Promoting health and mental health in children, youth, and families (pp. 205–232). New York: Springer
Broadhead, W. E., Kaplan, B. H., James, S. A., Wagner, E. H., Schoenbach, V. J., Crimson, R., Heyden, S., Tibblin, G., & Gehlbach, S. H. (1983). The epidemiologic evidence for a relationship between social support and health. American Journal of Epidemiology,117, 521–537
Brookings, S. B., & Bolton, B. (1988). Confirmatory factor analysis of the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List. American Journal of Community Psychology, 16,137–147
Brown, G. W., Andrews, B., Harris, T., Adler, Z., & Bridge, L. (1986). Social support, self-esteem and depression. Psychological Medicine, 16,813–831
Brown, G. W., Bhrolchain, M. N., & Harris, T. (1975). Social class and psychiatric disturbance among women in an urban population. Sociology, 9, 225–254
Brownell, A., & Shumaker, S. A. (1985). Where do we go from here? The policy implications of social support. Journal of Social Issues, 41, 111–121
Caldwell, R. A., & Bloom, B. L. (1982). Social support: Its structure and impact on marital disruption. American Journal of Community Psychology, 10,647–667
Caldwell, R. A., & Reinhart, M. A. (1988). The relationship of personality to individual differences in the use of type and source of social support. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 6,140–146
Caplan, G. (1976). The family as support system. In G. Caplan & M. Killilea (Eds.), Support systems and mutual help: Multidisciplinary explorations (pp. 19–36). New York: Grune & Stratton
Caplan, R. (1972). Helping the helpers to help New York: Seabury
Carmines, E. G., & Zeller, R. A. (1979). Reliability and validity assessment Beverly Hills, CA: Sage
Carveth, W. B., & Gottlieb, B. H. (1979). The measurement of social support and its relation to stress. Canadian Journal of Behavioral Science, 11,179–187
Cassel, J. (1976). The contribution of the social environment to host resistance. American Journal of Epidemiology, 104, 107–123
Cauce, A. M., Reid, M., Landesman, S., & Gonzales, N. (1990). Social support in young children: Measurement, structure, and behavioral impact. In B. R. Sarason, I. G. Sarason, & G. R. Pierce (Eds.), Social support: An interactional view (pp. 64–94). New York: Wiley
Cauce, A. M., & Srebnik, D. S. (1990). Peer networks and social support: A focus for preventive efforts with youths. In L. A. Bond & B. Compas (Eds.), Primary prevention in the schools (pp. 235–254). Newbury Park, CA: Sage
Cleary, P. D., & Kessler, R. C. (1982). The estimation and interpretation of modifier effects. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 23, 159–169
Cohen, C. I., Teresi, J., & Holmes, D. (1986). Assessment of stress-buffering effects of social networks on psychologi-cal symptoms in an inner-city elderly population. American Journal of Community Psychology,14, 75–91
Cohen, L. H., McGowan, J., Fooskas, S., & Rose, S. (1984). Positive life events and social support and the relationship between life stress and psychological disorder. American Journal of Community Psychology, 12, 564–587
Cohen, S. (1988). Psychosocial models of the role of social support in the etiology of physical disease. Health Psychology, 7, 269–297
Cohen, S., & Hoberman, H. (1983). Positive events and social supports as buffers of life change stress. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 13, 99–125
Cohen, S., Lichtenstein, E., Mermelstein, R., Kingsolver, K., Baer, J. S., & Kamarck, T. W. (1988). Social support interventions for smoking cessation. In B. H. Gottlieb (Ed.), Marshaling social support: Formats, processes, and effects (pp. 211–240). Newbury Park, CA: Sage
Cohen, S., & McKay, G. (1984). Social support, stress, and the buffering hypothesis: A theoretical analysis. In A. Baum, S. E. Taylor, & J. E. Singer (Eds.), Handbook of psychology and health, Vol. 4: Social psychological aspects of health (pp. 253–267). Hillsdale, N.J.: Lawrence Erlbaum
Cohen, S., Mermelstein, R., Kamarck, T., & Hoberman, H. M. (1985). Measuring the functional components of social support. In I. G. Sarason & B. R. Sarason (Eds.), Social support: Theory, research, and applications (pp. 73–94). Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Martinus Nijhoff
Cohen, S., & Wills, T. A. (1985). Stress, social support, and the buffering hypothesis. Psychological Bulletin, 98,310–357
Colletta, N. S. (1987). Correlates of young mother’s network orientations. Journal of Community Psychology, 15, 149–160
Costello, C. G. (1982). Social factors associated with depression: A retrospective community study. Psychological Medicine,12, 329–339
Cowen, E. L. (1994). The enhancement of psychological wellness: Challenges and opportunities. American Journal of Community Psychology, 22, 149–179
Coyne, J. C., Aldwin, C., & Lazarus, R. S. (1981). Depression and coping in stressful episodes. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 90, 439–447
Coyne, J. C., & DeLongis, A. (1986). Going beyond social support: The role of social relationships in adaptation. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology,54, 454–460
Coyne, J. C., & Downey, G. (1991). Social factors and psychopathology: Stress, social support, and coping processes. Annual Review of Psychology, 42, 401–425
Coyne, J. C., Wortman, C. B., & Lehman, D. R. (1988). The other side of support: Emotional overinvolvement and miscarried helping. In B. Gottlieb (Ed.), Marshaling social support: Formats, processes,and effects (pp. 305–330). Newbury Park, CA: Sage
Cutrona, C. E. (1986a). Behavioral manifestations of social support: A microanalytic investigation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51, 201–208
Cutrona, C. E. (1986b). Objective determinants of perceived social support. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,50, 349–355
Cutrona, C. E. (1990). Stress and social support: In search of optimal matching. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 9, 3–14
Cutrona, C. E., & Russell, D. W. (1990). Type of social support and specific stress: Toward a theory of optimal matching. In B. R. Sarason, I. G. Sarason, & G. R. Pierce (Eds.), Social support: An interactional view (pp. 319–366). New York: Wiley
d’Abbs, P. (1982). Social support networks: A critical review of models and findings Melbourne, Australia: Institute of Family Studies
D’Augelli, A. R., Valiance, T. R., Danish, S. J., Young, C. E., & Gerdes, J. L. (1981). The community helpers project: A description of a prevention strategy for rural communities. Journal of Prevention, 1, 209–224
Dean, A., & Ensel, W. M. (1982). Modelling social support, life events, competence, and depression in the context of age and sex. Journal of Community Psychology, 10,392–408
Dean, A., & Lin, N. (1977). The stress-buffering role of social support: Problems and prospects for systematic investigation. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease,165, 403–417
Dignam, J. T., Barrera, M., Jr., & West, S. G. (1986). Occupational stress, social support, and burnout among correctional officers. American Journal of Community Psychology,14, 177–193
Dunkel-Schetter, C. (1984). Social support and cancer: Findings based on patient interviews and their implications. Journal of Social Issues, 40, 77–98
Dunkel-Schetter, C., & Bennett, T. L. (1990). Differentiating the cognitive and behavioral aspects of social support. In B. R. Sarason, I. G. Sarason, & G. R. Pierce (Eds.), Social support: An interactional view (pp. 267–296). New York: Wiley
Dunkel-Schetter, C., Folkman, S., & Lazarus, R. S. (1987). Correlates of social support receipt. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 53, 71–80
Feiner, R. D., Ginter, M., & Primavera, J. (1982). Primary prevention during school transition: Social support and environmental structure. American Journal of Community Psychology, 10, 277–290
Felner, R. D., Brand, S., Adan, A. M., Mulhall, P. F., Flowers, N., Sartain, B., & DuBois, D. L. (1993). Restructuring the ecology of the school as an approach to prevention during school transitions: Longitudinal follow-ups and extensions of the school transitional environment project (STEP). Prevention in Human Services, 10,103–136
Felton, B. J., & Shinn, M. (1992). Social integration and social support: Moving “social support” beyond the individual level. Journal of Community Psychology, 20,103–115
Finch, J. F., Barrera, M., Jr., Okun, M. A., Bryant, W. H. M., Pool, G. J., & Snow-Turek, A. L. (1997). Factor structure of received social support: Dimensionality and the prediction of depression and life satisfaction. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 16,323–342
Finney, J. W., Mitchell, R. E., Cronkite, R. C., & Moos, R. H. (1984). Methodological issues in estimating main and interactive effects: Examples from coping/social support and stress field. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 25, 85–98
Fiore, J., Becker, J., & Coppel, D. B. (1983). Social network interactions: A buffer or a stress? American Journal of Community Psychology, 11, 423–439
Fisher, J. D., Nadler, A., & Whitcher-Alagna, S. (1982). Recipient reactions to aid. Psychological Bulletin, 91, 27–54
Fleming, R., Baum, A., Gisriel, M. M., & Gatchel, R. J. (1982). Mediating influences of social support on stress at Three Mile Island. Journal of Human Stress, 8,14–22
Gesten, E. L., & Jason, L. A. (1987). Social and community interventions. Annual Review of Psychology, 38, 427–460
Glasgow, R. E., Barrera, M., Jr., McKay, H. G., & Boles, S. M. (1998). Social support, health behaviors, and quality of life among participants in an internet-based diabetes support program: A multi-dimensional investigation Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association
Gore, S. (1981). Stress-buffering functions of social supports: An appraisal and clarification of research models. In B. S. Dohrenwend & B. P. Dohrenwend (Eds.), Stressful life events and their contexts (pp. 202–222). New York: Prodist
Gottlieb, B. H. (1978). The development and application of a classification scheme of informed helping behaviours. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, 10, 105–115
Gottlieb, B. H. (1981). Social networks and social support. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage
Gottlieb, B. H. (1983). Social support strategies: Guidelines for mental health practice Beverly Hills CA: Sage
Gottlieb, B. H. (1988a). Marshaling social support: The state of the art in research and practice. In B. H. Gottlieb (Ed.), Marshaling social support: Formats, processes,and effects (pp. 11–51). Newbury Park, CA: Sage
Gottlieb, B. H. (1988b). Support interventions: A typology and agenda for research. In S. W. Duck (Ed.), Handbook of personal relationships (pp. 519–541). New York: Wiley
Heitzmann, C. A., & Kaplan, R. M. (1988). Assessment of methods for measuring social support. Health Psychology, 7, 75–109
Heller, K. (1990). Social and community intervention. Annual Review of Psychology,41, 141–168
Heller, K., Price, R. H., & Hogg, J. R. (1990). The role of social support in community and clinical interventions. In B.R. Sarason, I. G. Sarason, & G. R. Pierce (Eds.), Social support: An interactional view (pp. 482–507). New York: Wiley
Heller, K., & Swindle, R. W. (1983). Social networks, perceived social support, and coping with stress. In R. D. Feiner, L. A. Jason, J. N. Moritsugu, & S. S. Farber (Eds.), Preventive psychology: Theory, research and practice (pp. 87–103). New York: Pergamon
Henderson, S., Byrne, D. G., & Duncan-Jones, P. (1981). Neurosis and the social environment Sydney, Australia: Academic
Hirsch, B. J. (1980). Natural support systems and coping with major life changes. American Journal of Community Psychology, 8, 159–172
Hirsch, B. J., Engel-Levy, A., DuBois, D. L., & Hardesty, P. H. (1990). The role of social environments in social support. In B. R. Sarason, I. G. Sarason, & G. R. Pierce (Eds.), Social support: An interactional view (pp. 367–393). New York: Wiley
Hirsch, B. J., & Rapkin, B. D. (1986). Social networks and adult social identities: Profiles and correlates of support and rejection. American Journal of Community Psychology,14, 395–412
Hobfoll, S. E. (1990). Introduction: The importance of predicting, activating and facilitating social support. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 7, 435–436
Hobfoll, S. E., Nadler, A., & Lieberman, J. (1986). Satisfaction with social support during crisis: Intimacy and self-esteem as critical determinants. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51, 296–304
Hobfoll, S. E., & Stephens, M. A. P. (1990). Social support during extreme stress: Consequences and intervention. In B. R. Sarason, I. G. Sarason, & G. R. Pierce (Eds.), Social support: An interactional view (pp. 454–481). New York: Wiley
House, J. S. (1981). Work stress and social support. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley
House, J. S., & Kahn, R. L. (1985). Measures and concepts of social support. In S. Cohen & S. L. Syme (Eds.), Social support and health (pp. 83–108). Orlando, FL: Academic
House, J. S., Umberson, D., & Landis, K. R. (1988). Structures and processes of social support. Annual Review of Sociology, 14, 293–318
Husaini, B. A., Neff, J. A., Newbrough, J. R., & Moore, M. C. (1982). The stress-buffering role of social support and personal competence among the rural married. Journal of Community Psychology,10, 409–426
Jones, L., & Fischer, C. S. (1978). A procedure for surveying personal networks. Sociological Methods and Research, 7, 131–148
Kaniasty, K., & Norris, F. H. (1995). Mobilization and deterioration of social support following natural disasters. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 4, 94–98
Kaplan, B. H., Cassel, J. C., & Gore, S. (1977). Social support and health. Medical Care, 15, 47–58
Kessler, R. C., & McLeod, J. D. (1985). Social support and mental health in community samples. In S. Cohen & S. L. Syme (Eds.), Social support and health (pp. 219–240). Orlando, FL: Academic
Kessler, R. C., Price, R. H., & Wortman, C B. (1985). Social factors in psychopathology: Stress, social support, and coping processes. Annual Review of Psychology,36, 531–572
Kiesler, C. A. (1985). Policy implications of research on social support and health. In S. Cohen & S. L. Syme (Eds.), Social support and health (pp. 347–364). Orlando, FL: Academic
Kobasa, S. C., & Puccetti, M. C. (1983). Personality and social resources in stress resistance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 45, 839–850
LaRocco, J. M., House, J. S., & French, J. R. P., Jr. (1980). Social support, occupational stress, and health. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 21, 202–218
Leavy, R. L. (1983). Social support and psychological disorder: A review. Journal of Community Psychology, 11, 3–21
Lefcourt, H. M., Martin, R. A., & Saleh, W. D. (1984). Locus of control and social support: Interactive moderators of stress. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,47, 378–389
Leslie, L. A., & Grady, K. (1985). Changes in mothers’ social networks and social support following divorce. Journal of Marriage and the Family,47, 663–673
Lieberman, M. A. (1986). Social supports-the consequences of psychologizing: A commentary. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54, 461–465
Lieberman, M. A., & Mullan, J. T. (1978). Does help help? American Journal of Community Psychology,6, 499–517
Lin, N. (1986). Modeling the effects of social support. In N. Lin, A. Dean, & W. Ensel (Eds.), Social support, life events, and depression (pp. 173–209). Orlando, FL: Academic
Lin, N., & Dean, A. (1984). Social support and depression: A panel study. Social Psychiatry, 19, 83–91
Lin, N., Dean, A., & Ensel, W. M. (1986). Social support, life events, and depression Orlando, FL: Academic
Lin, N., & Ensel, W M. (1984). Depression-mobility and its social etiology: The role of life events and social support. Journal of Health and Social Behavior,25, 176–188
McCormick, I. A., Siegert, R. J., & Walkey, E H. (1987). Dimensions of social support: A factorial confirmation. American Journal of Community Psychology,15, 73–77
Mermelstein, R., Cohen, S., Lichtenstein, E., Baer, J. S., & Kamarck, T. (1986). Social support and smoking cessation and maintenance. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology,54, 447–453
Mitchell, R. E., Billings, A. G., & Moos, R. H. (1982). Social support and well-being: Implications for prevention programs. Journal of Primary Prevention, 3, 77–98
Mitchell, R. E., & Trickett, E. J. (1980). An analysis of the effects and determinants of social networks. Community Mental Health Journal, 16,27–44
Monroe, S. M., Bromet, E. J., Connell, M. M., & Steiner, S. C. (1986). Social support, life events, and depressive symptoms: A one-year prospective study. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology,54, 424–431
Moos, R. H., Insel, P. M., & Humphrey, B. (1974). Family, work, and group environment scales: Combined preliminary manual Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologist Press
Newcomb, M. D. (1990). What structural equation modeling can tell us about social support. In B. R. Sarason, I. G. Sarason, & G. R. Pierce (Eds.), Social support: An interactional perspective (pp. 26–63). New York: Wiley
Newcomb, M. D., & Bentler, P. M. (1988). Impact of adolescent drug use and social support on problems of young adults: A longitudinal study. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 97, 64–75
O’Connor, E, & Brown, G. W. (1984). Supportive relationships: Fact or fancy? Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 1,159–175
Olds, D. L. (1988). The prenatal/early infancy project. In R. H. Price, E. L. Cowen, R. P. Lorion, & J. Ramos-McKay (Eds.), Fourteen ounces of prevention: A casebook for practitioners (pp. 9–23). Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association
Olds, D. L., Henderson, C. R., & Kitzman, H. (1994). Does prenatal and infancy nurse home visitation have enduring effects on qualities of parental caregiving and child health at 25 to 50 months of life? Pediatrics, 93,89–98
Oxley, D., & Barrera, M., Jr. (1984). Undermanning theory and the workplace: Implications of setting size for job satisfaction and social support. Environment and Behavior, 16, 211–234
Oxley, D., Barrera, M., Jr., & Sadalla, E. K. (1981). Relationships among community size, mediators, and social support variables: A path analytic approach. American Journal of Community Psychology, 9,637–651
Pagel, M. D., Erdly, W. W., & Becker, J. (1987). Social networks: We get by with (and in spite of) a little help from our friends. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 53, 793–804
Perkins, D. D., & Zimmerman, M. A. (1995). Empowerment theory, research, and application. American Journal of Community Psychology, 23, 569–579
Procidano, M. E., & Heller, K. (1983). Measures of perceived social support from friends and from family: Three validation studies. American Journal of Community Psychology,11, 1–24
Rabkin, J. G., & Struening, E. (1976). Life events, stress, and illness. Science, 194, 1013–1020
Rappaport, J. (1987). Terms of empowerment/exemplars of prevention: Toward a theory for community psychology. American Journal of Community Psychology,15, 121–148
Riley, D., & Eckenrode, J. (1986). Social ties: Subgroup differences in costs and benefits. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51, 770–778
Rook, K. S. (1984). The negative side of social interactions: Impact on psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 46,1097–1108
Rook, K. S., & Dooley, D. (1985). Applying social support research: Theoretical problems and future directions. Journal of Social Issues, 41, 5–28
Salem, D. A., Bogat, G. A., & Reid, C. (1997). Mutual help goes on-line. Journal of Community Psychology, 25,189–207
Sandler, I. N., & Barrera, M., Jr. (1984). Toward a multimethod approach to assessing the effects of social support. American Journal of Community Psychology, 12, 37–52
Sandler, I. N., Gersten, J. C., Reynolds, K., Kallgren, C. A., & Ramirez, R. (1988). Using theory and data to plan support interventions: Design of a program for bereaved children. In B. H. Gottlieb (Ed.), Marshaling social support: Formats, processes, and effects (pp. 53–83). Newbury Park, CA: Sage
Sandler, I. N., & Lakey, B. (1982). Locus of control as a stress moderator: The role of control perceptions and social support. American Journal of Community Psychology, 10, 65–80
Sarason, B. R., Sarason, I. G., & Pierce, G. R. (1990). Traditional views of social support and their impact on assessment. In B. R. Sarason, I. G. Sarason, & G. R. Pierce (Eds.), Social support: An interactional perspective (pp. 9–25). New York: Wiley
Sarason, B. R., Shearin, E. N., Pierce, G. R., & Sarason, I. G. (1987). Interrelationships of social support measures: Theoretical and practical implications. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,52, 813–832
Sarason, I. G., Levine, H. M., Basham, R. B., & Sarason, B. R. (1983). Assessing social support: The social support questionnaire Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,44, 127–139
Sarason, I. B., Sarason, B. R., & Pierce, G. R. (1990). Social support: The search for theory. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 9, 133–147
Sarason, I. G., Sarason, B. R., Shearin, E. N., & Pierce, G. R. (1987). The short form of the Social Support Questionnaire and its theoretical implications. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 4,497–510
Schradle, S. B., & Dougher, M. J. (1985). Social support as a mediator of stress: Theoretical and empirical issues. Clinical Psychology Review, 5, 641–661
Schulz, R., Tompkins, C. A., & Rau, M. T. (1988). A longitudinal study of the psychosocial impact of stroke on primary support persons. Psychology and Aging, 3, 131–141
Shinn, M., Lehmann, S., & Wong, N. W. (1984). Social interaction and social support. Journal of Social Issues, 40, 55–76
Shumaker, S. A., & Brownell, A. (1984). Toward a theory of social support: Closing conceptual gaps. Journal of Social Issues, 11–36
Silverman, P. R. (1988). Widow-to-widow: A mutual help program for the widowed. In R. H. Price, E. L. Cowen, R. P. Lorion, & J. Ramos-McKay (Eds.), Fourteen ounces of prevention: A casebook for practitioners (pp. 175–186). Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association
Slavin, L. A., & Compas, B. E. (1989). The problem of confounding social support and depressive symptoms: A brief report on a college sample. American Journal of Community Psychology, 17, 57–66
Solomon, Z., & Benbenishty, R. (1986). The role of proximity, immediacy and expectancy in frontline treatment of combat stress reaction among Israelis in the Lebanon war. American Journal of Psychiatry, 143,613–617
Sosa, R., Kennell, J., Klaus, M., Robertson, S., & Urrutia, J. (1980). The effect of a supportive companion on perinatal problems, length of labor, and mother-infant interaction. New England Journal of Medicine,303, 597–600
Stokes, J. P. (1983). Predicting satisfaction with social support from social network structure. American Journal of Community Psychology, 11, 141–152
Stokes, J. P., & Wilson, D. (1984). The inventory of socially supportive behaviors: Dimensionality, prediction, and gender differences. American Journal of Community Psychology, 12,53–70
Tardy, C. H. (1985). Social support measurement. American Journal of Community Psychology, 13, 187–202
Tetzloff, C. E., & Barrera, M., Jr. (1987). Divorcing mothers and social support: Testing the specificity of buffering effects. American Journal of Community Psychology, 15,419–434
Thoits, P. A. (1982). Conceptual, methodological, and theoretical problems in studying social support as a buffer against life stress. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 23,145–159
Tolsdorf, C. (1976). Social networks, support, and coping: An exploratory study. Family Process,15, 407–417
Turner, R. J. (1981). Experienced social support as a contingency in emotional well-being. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 22, 357–367
Uchino, B. N., Cacioppo, J. T., & Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K. (1996). The relationship between social support and physiological processes: A review with emphasis on underlying mechanisms and implications for health. Psychological Bulletin, 119,488–531
Vaux, A. (1985). Variations in social support associated with gender, ethnicity, and age. Journal of Social Issues, 41, 89–110
Vaux, A. (1988). Social support: Theory, research,and intervention New York: Praeger
Vaux, A., Burda, P., & Stewart, D. (1986). Orientation toward utilizing support resources. Journal of Community Psychology, 14, 159–170
Vaux, A., Phillips, J., Holly, L., Thompson, B., Williams, D., & Stewart, D. (1986). The Social Support Appraisals (SS-A) scale: Studies of reliability and validity. American Journal of Community Psychology,14, 195–218
Vaux, A., Riedel, S., & Stewart, D. (1987). Modes of social support: The social support behaviors (SS-B) scale. American Journal of Community Psychology,15, 209–237
Vaux, A., & Wood, J. (1987). Social support resources, behavior, and appraisals: A path analysis. Social Behavior and Personality,15, 107–111
Veiel, H. O., & Baumann, U. (1992). The meaning and measurement of social support New York: Hemisphere
Vinokur, A., Schul, Y., & Caplan, R. D. (1987). Determinants of perceived social support: Interpersonal transactions, personal outlook, and transient affective states. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 53,1137–1145
Wallston, B. S., Alagna, S. W., DeVellis, B. M., & DeVellis, R. F. (1983). Social support and physical health. Health Psychology, 2,367–391
Warheit, G., Vega, W., Shimizu, D., & Meinhardt, K. (1982). Interpersonal coping networks and mental health problems among four race-ethnic groups. Journal of Community Psychology, 10, 312–324
Weiss, R. S. (1969). The fund of sociability. TransAction, 6, 36–43
Wellman, B. (1981). Applying network analysis to the study of social support. In B. H. Gottlieb (Ed.), Social networks and social support (pp. 171–200). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage
Wheaton, B. (1985). Models for the stress-buffering functions of coping resources. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 26,352–364
Wilcox, B. L. (1981a). Social support in adjusting to marital disruption: A network analysis. In B. H. Gottlieb (Ed.), Social networks and social support (pp. 97–115). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage
Wilcox, B. L. (1981b). Social support, life stress, and psychological adjustment: A test of the buffering hypothesis. American Journal of Community Psychology,9, 371–386
Wilcox, B. L., & Vernberg, E. M. (1985). Conceptual and theoretical dilemmas facing social support. In I. G. Sarason & B. R. Sarason (Eds.), Social support: Theory, research, and applications (pp. 3–20). Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Martinus Nijhoff
Williams, A., Ware, J. E., Jr., & Donald, C. A. (1981). A model of mental health, life events, and social supports applicable to general populations. Journal of Health and Social Behavior,22, 324–336
Wills, T. A. (1990). Multiple networks and substance use. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology,9, 78–90
Wills, T. A., & Vaughan, R. (1989). Social support and substance use in early adolescence. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 12,321–339
Wolchik, S. A., Beals, J, & Sandler, I. N. (1989). Mapping children’s social support networks: Conceptual and methodological issues. In D. Belle (Ed.), Children’s social networks and social support (pp. 191–220). New York: Wiley
Wolchik, S. A., Sandler, I. N., & Braver, S. L. (1987). Social support: Its assessment and relation to children’s adjustment. In N. Eisenberg (Ed.), Contemporary topics in developmental psychology (pp. 319–349). New York: Wiley
Wood, Y. R. (1984). Social support and social networks: Nature and measurement. In P. McReynolds & G. J. Chelune (Eds.), Advances in psychological assessment,Vol. 4 (pp. 312–353). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass
Wortman, C. B., & Lehman, D. R. (1985). Reactions to victims of life crisis: Support attempts that fail. In I. G. Sarason & B. R. Sarason (Eds.), Social support: Theory, research and applications (pp. 463–489). Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Martinus Nijhoff
Zimmerman, M. A. (1995). Psychological empowerment: Issues and illustrations. American Journal of Community Psychology, 23,581–599
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2000 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Barrera, M. (2000). Social Support Research in Community Psychology. In: Rappaport, J., Seidman, E. (eds) Handbook of Community Psychology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-4193-6_10
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-4193-6_10
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-6881-6
Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-4193-6
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive