Manipulating the type and source of social support: An experimental investigation.

Abstract

The present research investigates whether various types of support are distinguishable from each other, and assesses whether the stress/outcome relationship depends on the type and/or source of support. In two separate vignette studies, both the type of support (emotional, instrumental, informational, appraisal) and its source (family, friends, boyfriend, or professor) were manipulated. In both studies respondents distinguished between instrumental, informational, and appraisal support, and they also perceived these types of support as emotional in content. The type of support, but not its source, was perceived by respondents as being important for predicting outcome. Comparing subjects'' ratings of perceived outcome across types of support, it was found that subjects in the informational condition predicted the most positive outcome. However, since subjects perceived that informational support was so emotional, it is concluded that it is the perceived combination of informational and emotional support that is most effective in buffering any negative outcome of stress. Implications for the construct validity of social support, and for future research using the social support construct, are discussed.