Social support, life stress, and psychological distress: an empirical assessment

Previous social support research had demonstrated the presence of either main (network) or buffering (interaction) effects as factors that mitigated the impact of life stress. To date, two studies have assessed both types of social supports in the same subjects at the same time. One study found a main effect, and both studies reported buffering effects. The present study (N = 74) extended this type of inquiry with a more comprehensive assessment of both social support resources that addressed previous methodological limitations. This study found buffering effects, but no main network effect. Possible explanations for these findings are discussed.