| Description |
Social support is defined as "the perception or experience that one is loved and cared for by others, esteemed and valued, and part of a social network of mutual assistance and obligations" (Wills, 1991). Prior literature has operationalized social support as the perception of social support and/or received social support (Dunkel-Schetter & Bennett, 1990). Social support is important because it is linked to significant health outcomes. Most research examining social support and health behaviors has not formally modeled the influence of interdependence in a dyad. For the present study, an actor-partner model of social support within couples was used to examine the cross-sectional associations between the perception of support and health behaviors. The sample composed of 94 married heterosexual couples and the data were self-reported on measures of perceived support, exercise, alcohol consumption, and sleep quality. The main results indicated that one's own perceived support (actor influences) was related to better sleep quality and a partner's level of perceived support was related to greater alcohol consumption. With the exception of these, all other predicated associations were nonsignificant. The partner effects on alcohol consumption were unexpected and will require future research. This work helps expand on social support and health behavior literature by utilizing an actor-partner model which highlights the interdependence of individuals within relationships. Future research is required and should consider using different methods and measures to draw more definitive inferences about the interpersonal nature of health behaviors and their links to health. |
