ABSTRACT
One approach to evaluating the effects of social interactions on stress has been to observe the effects of general social change on symptoms of illness. Although individual differences in appraisal of stressors and coping styles are extremely important in determining relationships between stress and illness, the social context of the individual and his perceived social support are also major contributing factors. Several people have clarified the nature of the interaction between stress and social support. The interaction between life stressors and social support has been described in a model proposed by H. Dean and N. Lin. Essentially, this model suggests that stressing life events have a positive relationship with illness, while social support is negatively related to illness. The weight of the evidence suggests that there is a clear relationship between social support and illness. That relationship may have independent characteristics, but it clearly plays a mediating role that can significantly modify any interaction between a stressor, stress, and illness.
