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Updated: Jan 28, 2026

The Social Dimension of Stress: Experimental Manipulations of Social Support and Social Identity in the Trier Social Stress Test
Published on: November 19, 2015
Post-flood social support networks and morbidity in Jôsô City, Japan
Adam Lebowitz1, Hirokazu Tachikawa2, Miyuki Aiba3
1School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan.
Abstract:
Social support networks are considered beneficial for post-disaster survivor mental health. However, there are family and non-family networks, and support can be received or provided. Therefore, their complex contribution to wellbeing requires analysis. Researching elderly residents of Jôsô City NE of Tokyo (N = 1182 [female: n = 618], Age M = 69.76y, SD = 6.10y) who experienced severe flooding in September 2015 investigated data for mental health outcomes of depression (K6), trauma (IES-R), and existence of recent worry from evacuation and house damage. An original instrument tapped support source and direction, controlled to examine mental health symptom changes. House damage was a higher mental health predictor (ηp2 = .10-.16) than evacuation (ηp2 = .033-.093). Results indicated family social support may buffer mental health outcomes, but non-family social support may burden them. Overall support network size also indicated burdening compared to social support receiving-providing imbalance.
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