| Description |
Social support is a reliable predictor of physical health. However, most studies examine this link with measures of perceived social support that are only modestly correlated with actual support received. Importantly, laboratory studies which manipulate received support often find that it results in greater distress and physiological reactivity. One theoretical model posited by Bolger and Amarel (2007) suggests that social support costs are dependent on whether or not the support is received prior to or after an individual decides support is wanted or needed. The current study examined the main and interaction effects of social support and choice for the support on reactivity to a lab speech stressor task using an induced compliance paradigm to increase perceived choice in receiving support during a speech task. One hundred eighteen participants were assigned to varying conditions of choice (induced choice, no induced choice, no reference to choice) and received support (received support during task, received no support during task). Participants completed measures of self-esteem, anxiety, threat, and control during the speech task. Cardiovascular functioning was measured via blood pressure and cardiac impedance. Results did not support choice as a moderator between support and reactivity. Received support predicted increased cardiovascular reactivity during the speech task (p's<.08). However, there were no differences in psychological reactivity. Implications are discussed. |
