ABSTRACT
On the most general level, alienation is any form of social dissociation, detachment, or separation. Social support is the individual's perception of having others who care and will help if needed. Alienation is any form of detachment or separation from oneself or from others. This chapter details the generally beneficial effect of social support on distress. However, social support grows out of networks of reciprocity. Pairs of individuals have longstanding or strong ties based on emotional bonds or traditional relationships. Of all the beliefs about self and society that might increase or reduce distress, belief in control over one's own life may be the most important. The chapter describes the social causes and emotional consequences of perceived control. Perceived powerlessness is generated by objective conditions of powerlessness and leads to distress. Compared to the belief that outcomes are determined by forces external to oneself, belief in personal control is associated with low levels of psychological distress.
