Long-distance Romantic Relationships, Social Support, and the Buffering Hypothesis

• In Event: Social Support and Physiological and Self-Reported Indicators of Stress: Tests of the Buffering Hypothesis

Abstract

Research on enacted/perceived social support has provided mixed results for stress buffering. This study seeks to determine which type of social support has the strongest predictive power, uncover which dimensions of enacted support are most strongly associated with stress reduction, and test moderating relationships in long-distance relationships. Results indicated positively enacted support has predictive powers beyond that of perceived support. The socializing dimension of enacted support was the strongest and only predictor of stress reduction.

Authors

• Shannon Maki, West Virginia University

• Megan Dillow, West Virginia University