Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2026
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
Racial differences in social support: kin versus friends.
Margaret L Griffin1, Maryann Amodeo, Cassandra Clay
1Boston University School of Social Work, Boston, MA 02115, USA. mlgrif@bu.edu
The American Journal of Orthopsychiatry
|September 20, 2006
Summary
Social support among Black and White women showed racial similarities in satisfaction but differences in friend numbers. Social support was linked to well-being, challenging assumptions about Black women
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Social support is crucial for well-being.
- Previous research suggested stronger kin support for Black women compared to White women.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine racial differences in social support between Black and White women.
- To investigate the relationship between social support and well-being.
- To challenge existing assumptions about race-based social support networks.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 290 Black and White women from the community.
- Administration of standardized measures for social support (friends vs. kin) and well-being.
- Multivariate statistical models to analyze data, adjusting for social class.
Main Results:
- Black women reported similar numbers of kin but fewer friends than White women.
- Satisfaction with social support did not significantly vary by race.
- Measures of social support were generally associated with higher levels of well-being.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest that social support structures may not differ significantly by race in terms of satisfaction.
- The study questions prior assumptions of stronger kin support among Black women.
- Clinicians should avoid assuming that individuals of Black descent exclusively rely on kin for social support.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Friendships and Close Friendships
Friendship formation is a dynamic process shaped by psychological, cultural, and social factors. Friendships play a crucial role in emotional well-being, social development, and personal identity from childhood to adulthood.Childhood and Early FriendshipsFriendships in childhood often arise due to shared environments, such as school or neighborhood interactions. At this stage, proximity and common interests serve as the primary basis for connection. As children grow, their friendships evolve...
02:12Relationship Formation
What do you think is the single most influential factor in determining with whom you become friends and whom you form romantic relationships? You might be surprised to learn that the answer is simple: the people with whom you have the most contact. This most important factor is proximity. You are more likely to be friends with people you have regular contact with. For example, there are decades of research that shows that you are more likely to become friends with people who live in your dorm,...
01:29Relationship with Other Adult Family Members and Siblings
Other adult family members and siblings play a crucial role in shaping children’s social and emotional development. While parents or primary caregivers are often the central figures in early attachment and socialization, other adults in a child’s life, such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles, can significantly influence developmental outcomes. These influences depend on each adult’s personality and may help compensate when a primary caregiver is emotionally distant or inconsistent. For...
01:30Social 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...
01:27Relationship Growth
Interpersonal relationships progress through stages, beginning with awareness and moving toward mutuality, where emotional connections deepen. While many relationships remain at moderate levels of mutuality, deeper connections form through self-disclosure, trust, and interdependence.Self-DisclosureSelf-disclosure involves revealing personal information, starting with surface-level details and gradually progressing to more intimate content. As trust grows, individuals feel more comfortable...
00:57Inclusive Fitness
Most altruistic behavior—in which one animal helps another at a cost to themselves—occurs between relatives. Scientists think these altruistic behaviors evolved because they increase the inclusive fitness of the animal providing help.