Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 18, 2026

The Social Dimension of Stress: Experimental Manipulations of Social Support and Social Identity in the Trier Social Stress Test
11:13

The Social Dimension of Stress: Experimental Manipulations of Social Support and Social Identity in the Trier Social Stress Test

Published on: November 19, 2015

Is social support sometimes a mixed blessing?

D K Pal1, T Das, G Chaudhury

  • 1Clinical and Genetic Epidemiology Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA. dkp28@columbia.edu

Child: Care, Health and Development
|April 21, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Parental social support, unexpectedly, correlates with increased child behavioral issues in epilepsy. Further research is needed to understand this social support-as-risk factor hypothesis in pediatric epilepsy.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Child Psychology
  • Social Determinants of Health

Background:

  • Child behavioral problems in epilepsy are complex, influenced by intrinsic, family, and social factors.
  • The interplay of these factors remains poorly understood.
  • Identifying specific risk factors is crucial for effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To re-analyze data from a randomized controlled trial on antiepileptic treatment in rural India.
  • To identify risk factors associated with behavioral problems in children with epilepsy.
  • To investigate the unexpected correlation between social support and behavioral issues.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized regression analysis on existing randomized controlled trial data.
  • Focused on a cohort in rural India.
  • Examined correlations between parental social support and child behavioral problems.

Main Results:

  • Parental satisfaction with social support showed a positive and independent correlation with child behavioral problems (P=0.03).
  • This finding was contrary to initial expectations regarding social support's protective role.
  • The statistical significance (P=0.03) supports the observed correlation.

Conclusions:

  • Parental interactions within informal social support networks may inadvertently increase the risk of behavioral problems in children with epilepsy.
  • A novel hypothesis suggests social support can act as a risk factor.
  • Further studies are recommended to explore this social support-as-risk factor hypothesis in pediatric epilepsy.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques V01:28

Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques V

A social support system is a structured network of personal relationships that provides assistance to individuals facing various challenges, offering a buffer against psychological and physical stressors. This network may consist of family members, friends, neighbors, colleagues, or other community members who provide resources and companionship. Social support can take many forms, including advice, emotional comfort, practical help, and companionship. Research indicates that these networks can...
Self-Help Support Groups01:28

Self-Help Support Groups

Self-help support groups are voluntary, community-based organizations that provide a platform for individuals with shared concerns to exchange support, insights, and practical strategies for coping with life challenges. Typically led by group members or paraprofessionals, these groups form a cornerstone of mental health care, especially in reaching populations that are underserved by traditional healthcare systems.
Accessibility and Cost-Effectiveness
One of the primary strengths of self-help...
Social Relationships and Well-Being01:30

Social Relationships and Well-Being

The significance of social relationships in psychological well-being is a well-established area of inquiry within social psychology. Research consistently demonstrates that the presence of meaningful, supportive relationships enhances emotional health, while the absence or deterioration of such connections can contribute to psychological distress. Relationships serve as a foundation for emotional support, identity, and social belonging, all of which are critical to an individual’s overall...
Social Facilitation01:04

Social Facilitation

Not all intergroup interactions lead to negative outcomes. Sometimes, being in a group situation can improve performance. Social facilitation occurs when an individual performs better when an audience is watching than when the individual performs the behavior alone. This typically occurs when people are performing a task for which they are skilled.
Sources of Self-Esteem III: Social Comparison01:27

Sources of Self-Esteem III: Social Comparison

Social comparison plays a fundamental role in the evaluation of personal success and self-worth. Rather than assessing our achievements in isolation, we interpret their significance relative to personal goals and critically in comparison to the performance of others. A grade of B in a mathematics exam might elicit pride if one's expectation was a C, yet result in disappointment if an A was anticipated or if peers achieved superior results. These comparative evaluations illustrate how both...
Self-Serving Bias01:29

Self-Serving Bias

Self-serving bias is a cognitive phenomenon in which individuals attribute positive outcomes to internal factors such as their abilities, intelligence, or effort while attributing negative outcomes to external circumstances. This cognitive distortion helps maintain self-esteem but can also impede objective self-assessment.Theoretical Explanations of Self-Serving BiasTwo primary theories explain the self-serving bias: the cognitive explanation and the motivational explanation.The cognitive...