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Chapter 15: Problem 1

How does social support reduce stress?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Social support helps reduce stress by providing emotional, informational, instrumental, and appraisal resources. This support can give a sense of belonging, increase self-esteem, provide security, and distract from stressors. Supporting evidence shows that it reduces physiological stress responses and improves psychological health.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Social Support

Social support refers to the psychological and material resources provided by a social network to help individuals cope with stress. This includes emotional support (like empathy and understanding), informational support (like advice and guidance), instrumental support (like financial assistance or help with tasks), and appraisal support (like positive feedback and affirmation).
02

Understanding Stress

Stress is a state of emotional or mental strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances. It triggers a set of responses that prepare the body to confront or flee from a threat, known as 'fight or flight' response.
03

Interplay of Social Support and Stress

Social support helps manage stress in several ways. It may provide a sense of belonging, increase feelings of self-worth, and promote a sense of security, all of which can help to buffer the impacts of stress. A strong social support network may also provide 'distraction' from stressors, allowing the individual to spend less time in a state of stress.
04

Research Evidence

Numerous studies have found that social support can help reduce the physiological responses to stress, including reducing blood pressure and heart rate. It can also improve psychological health, reducing anxiety and depression.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Would you feel more stressed about a scheduled exam or a pop quiz? Why?

Recall Information Why are life changes sources of stress? What are other sources of stress?

Application Activity Select a day and keep a log of your daily hassles and uplifts. At the end of the day analyze your general mood- -were you in a bad or good mood? Did your hassles outnumber your uplifts? Briefly outline a strategy by which you pay more attention to uplifts and brighten your mood.

Measure a friend's heart rate. Then have the person think of a terrifying situation. Did the heart rate increase? Choose another person and measure his or her heart rate. Have the person think of a peaceful, calming situation. Did the heart rate decrease? Summarize your findings.

Think Critically Many people have criticized the SRRS. Can you think of a better way to measure stress? Explain.
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