Perceptions of social support, receipt of supportive behaviors, and locus of control as moderators of the effects of chronic stress

Abstract

The study was an attempt to explicate the results of recent research concerned with the stress-buffering effects of received social support for individuals with internal locus of control perceptions. In addition to measuring received support, perceptions of availability of support were measured; further, a proximal measure of stress was substituted for the negative life events measure of stress. Evening class business administration students who were older than the typical undergraduate served as volunteer participants. Results of the cross-sectional analyses are consistent with previous research with respect to received support as hypothesized; however, an opposite or "negative" buffering effect for internals is obtained when the measure of support is perceived reassurance of self-worth. Main effects of perceived social support, but not received support, are obtained for externals but not (with one exception) for internals. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for the study of coping with stress.