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Clarifying the Functions of Social Support in Later Life

University of Michigan

Elaine Borawski-Clark

University of Michigan

Research on the stress-buffering properties of social support contains a number of contradictory findings. At least part of this problem may be attributed to the fact that researchers have not developed a well-articulated theory explaining how social support functions in later life. Based on recent developments in identity theory, evidence is presented which suggests that emotional support tends to reduce the deleterious effects of some types of stress (i.e., events arising in salient social roles) but not others (i.e., stressors that emerge in roles that are valued less highly). This theoretical framework is extended by showing that social support operates at least in part by bolstering feelings of control and self-worth that have been eroded by stressful experiences. However, the data indicate that these beneficial effects are restricted to feelings of control and self-esteem that are associated with the same roles in which the stressors emerged.

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