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Social support as a double-edged sword: The relation of positive and problematic support to depression among rheumatoid arthritis patients

Author

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  • Revenson, Tracey A.
  • Schiaffino, Kathleen M.
  • Deborah Majerovitz, S.
  • Gibofsky, Allan

Abstract

This study considers social network interactions as a potential source of both stress and support for individuals coping with a chronic illness. The sample consisted of 101 recently-diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis patients. Symptoms of depression were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses examined the conjoint effects of social support and problematic interactions on symptoms of depression. Receipt of positive or helpful support from close friends and family was related to lower depression; receipt of problematic support was related to increased depression. A positive x problematic support interaction suggested that the costs of problematic support do not cancel out the benefits of positive support. Patients who reported both little support and a greater degree of problematic interactions experienced the highest level of symptoms. The findings emphasize the need to consider positive and negative aspects of support transactions conjointly in assessing their stress-reducing and health-protective potential.

Suggested Citation

  • Revenson, Tracey A. & Schiaffino, Kathleen M. & Deborah Majerovitz, S. & Gibofsky, Allan, 1991. "Social support as a double-edged sword: The relation of positive and problematic support to depression among rheumatoid arthritis patients," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 33(7), pages 807-813, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:33:y:1991:i:7:p:807-813
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    Cited by:

    1. Knoll, Nina & Kienle, Rolf & Bauer, Katharina & Pfüller, Bettina & Luszczynska, Aleksandra, 2007. "Affect and enacted support in couples undergoing in-vitro fertilization: When providing is better than receiving," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 64(9), pages 1789-1801, May.
    2. Lewis, Megan A. & McBride, Colleen M. & Pollak, Kathryn I. & Puleo, Elaine & Butterfield, Rita M. & Emmons, Karen M., 2006. "Understanding health behavior change among couples: An interdependence and communal coping approach," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(6), pages 1369-1380, March.
    3. Kleiboer, Annet M. & Kuijer, Roeline G. & Hox, Joop J. & Jongen, Peter J.H. & Frequin, Stephan T.F.M. & Bensing, Jozien M., 2007. "Daily negative interactions and mood among patients and partners dealing with multiple sclerosis (MS): The moderating effects of emotional support," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 64(2), pages 389-400, January.
    4. Min-Ah Lee & Seokho Kim & Eun-Jung Shim, 2013. "Exposure to suicide and suicidality in Korea: Differential effects across men and women?," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 59(3), pages 224-231, May.
    5. Warner, Lisa M. & Schüz, Benjamin & Aiken, Leona & Ziegelmann, Jochen P. & Wurm, Susanne & Tesch-Römer, Clemens & Schwarzer, Ralf, 2013. "Interactive effects of social support and social conflict on medication adherence in multimorbid older adults," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 23-30.
    6. Francesco Tramonti & Franco Giorgi & Annibale Fanali, 2021. "Systems thinking and the biopsychosocial approach: A multilevel framework for patient‐centred care," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(2), pages 215-230, March.

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