Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 25, 2025
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
13.8K
Students' Perceptions of COVID-19 Stress and Internalizing Problems: Is Social Support a Buffer?
Swapna Balkundi1, Stephanie S Fredrick1
1Department of Counseling, School, and Educational Psychology, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14228 USA.
Contemporary School Psychology
|June 26, 2023
Summary
Student COVID-19 stress links to internalizing problems. Teacher support, not peer support, helps buffer this stress for students in grades 4-12.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Mental Health
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic introduced significant stressors for students.
- Internalizing problems (e.g., anxiety, depression) are a concern in student populations.
- School social support may mitigate negative mental health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between COVID-19 stress, internalizing problems, and school social support.
- To investigate differences in these associations across elementary/middle and high school students.
- To determine if teacher and classmate support buffer the impact of COVID-19 stress on internalizing problems.
Main Methods:
- Survey data collected from 526 students in grades 4-12.
- Statistical analysis to assess associations and moderation effects.
- Focus on student perceptions of COVID-19 stress and social support.
Main Results:
- COVID-19 stress was significantly associated with internalizing problems for all students.
- Teacher social support, but not classmate support, buffered the link between COVID-19 stress and internalizing problems.
- These associations were consistent across elementary/middle and high school grade levels.
Conclusions:
- Teacher support is a crucial protective factor against COVID-19-related stress and internalizing symptoms.
- Findings inform interventions for school mental health professionals.
- Future research should explore long-term impacts and support for marginalized students.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques V
52
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...
52
01:20Psychological Responses to Stress
79
Psychological responses to stress encompass the various cognitive and emotional reactions individuals experience when faced with challenging or threatening situations, such as a job loss. Prolonged exposure to stressors can disturb emotional balance, increasing negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and sadness) and diminishing positive emotions (e.g., joy and satisfaction). These persistent emotional shifts are associated with an increased risk of both physical illness and mental health issues, such...
79
01:30Stress and Mental Health
186
Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
186
01:23Types of Stressors
235
A stressor is any event, condition, or stimulus that triggers stress and causes a physical or psychological response in the body. Stressors can be categorized into three main types: catastrophes; significant life changes; and daily hassles, including social stress. Each can be detrimental to physical and mental well-being.
Catastrophes
Catastrophes refer to large-scale, unpredictable events that create overwhelming stress and a sense of threat. Examples include natural disasters like...
Catastrophes
Catastrophes refer to large-scale, unpredictable events that create overwhelming stress and a sense of threat. Examples include natural disasters like...
235
01:20Lazarus's Cognitive Appraisal Theory
314
Cognitive psychologist Richard Lazarus proposed the cognitive-mediational theory of emotions, which emphasizes how individuals' assessments of stressors significantly affect their experience of stress. According to Lazarus, the stress response is determined by a two-step appraisal process: primary appraisal and secondary appraisal. These cognitive appraisals help individuals evaluate the potential impact of a stressor and determine the adequacy of their coping resources.
Primary Appraisal:...
Primary Appraisal:...
314
01:27Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
147
Stress is a multifaceted response to events perceived as challenging or threatening, highlighting physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physically, stress can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and various health issues such as frequent colds, chest pains, and nausea. Emotionally, it can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger triggered by both minor and major life events. Cognitively, it may result in difficulty in concentration, memory, and...
147