Social Distribution of Social Support: The Mediating Role of Life Events

TLDR

The relationship between socioeconomic status and social support has been discussed, but systematic examination of its social patterning and explanatory mechanisms is lacking. This study examined the social distribution of social support and the role of life events in linking SES to social support using a nationally representative sample. The authors analyzed data from the National Comorbidity Survey to assess how life events mediate the SES–social support association. Higher education and income were associated with greater emotional support, fewer negative interactions, and lower likelihood of acute and chronic life events, with acute events mediating the SES–social support relationship.

Abstract

Abstract Although the relation of socioeconomic status (SES) to social support has been discussed for some time, researchers have rarely systematically examined the social patterning of this resource. In addition, potential explanatory mechanisms have not been investigated. This study examined both the social distribution of social support and the role of life events in the association between SES and social support in a nationally representative probability sample of adults from the National Cormorbidity Survey. Higher education and income were related to more emotional support and fewer negative interactions. Individuals with higher incomes were also less likely to report acute and chronic life events. Finally, acute (but not chronic) life events mediated the relation between SES and social support (both emotional support and negative interactions). These results suggest the inability of lower SES individuals to mobilize social support in times of need may be explained by their more frequent experience of acute life events.