“They Understand What You’re Going Through”: Experientially Similar Others, Stress, and Depressive Symptoms

• In Event: 1231 - Open Topic on Sociology of Mental Health

Abstract

Past research shows that experientially similar others—those who have confronted the same stressor or who occupy the same social role—are uniquely equipped to provide empathic understanding and tailored coping strategies to individuals navigating comparable, taxing circumstances. Using the case of premedical education, fixed-effects regression analyses of longitudinal egocentric network data (n=286) indicate that premeds whose support networks include a greater proportion of premedical peers over time experience fewer depressive symptoms. However, among premeds who report greater anticipatory stress about medical school admission, the presence of additional peers in support networks amplifies the detrimental effects of anticipatory stressors. Qualitative data (n=39) help shed light on this empirical puzzle. Although peers offer a broad spectrum of support functions, they can also accentuate stressors or serve as a basis for negative social comparison. These findings introduce new considerations for theorizing the role of similar other support in the stress process.

Author

• Matthew K. Grace, Hamilton College