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

Investigated whether various types of support (emotional, instrumental, informational, and appraisal) are distinguishable from each other and whether the type and/or source of support affects stress–outcome relationships in 2 studies with 232 undergraduates. It was found that the type of support, but not its source, was perceived by Ss as being important for predicting outcome and that Ss in the informational condition predicted the most positive outcome. However, since Ss perceived that informational support was also emotional, it is concluded that the perceived combination of informational and emotional support was the most effective in buffering a negative outcome of stress. Implications for the construct validity of social support are discussed. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)