Analyze the following scenario. Explain how the availability of social support could buffer against the negative effects of stress and contribute to a more positive adjustment for the individual involved.

The Buffering Effect of Social Support

Social support help to contribute to positive adjustment and to buffer against stressors and adversities, including medical as well as psychiatric problems. 

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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Social support is the availability of people on whom we can rely: people who let us know that they care about, value, and love us and are willing to assist us.

Social support

Solomon, P. (2004). Peer support/peer provided services underlying processes, benefits, and critical ingredients. Psychiatric rehabilitation journal, 27(4), 392. https://doi.org/10.2975/27.2004.392.401

Peer support/peer provided services underlying processes, benefits, and critical ingredients.

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

The benefit of social support

Emotional support (offers esteem, attachment reassurance); instrumental support (offers material goods and services); and informational support (offers advice, guidance, and feedback).

Primary types of social support

Peer support can enhance the number of individuals that a person with a psychiatric disorder can turn to for support, offer a sense of belonging and positive feedback of a person's own self-worth. 

Social support in peer support

- Informal Support
  - family, friends, neighbors, and the surrounding community
- Formals Support
  - Professionals and Agencies
- Both are important components in relieving parents' stress
- Can also include emotional and practical support
  - Ex: Childcare, financial support
- Significant in determining the HRQOL in families of children with disabilities

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