Clarifying the links between social support and health: Culture, stress, and neuroticism matter. (February 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Park, Jiyoung; Kitayama, Shinobu; Karasawa, Mayumi; Curhan, Katherine; Markus, Hazel R; Kawakami, Norito; Miyamoto, Yuri; Love, Gayle D; Coe, Christopher L; Ryff, Carol D
• Is Part Of: Journal of health psychology. Volume 18:Number 2(2013)
• Page Start: 226
• Page End: 235
• Publication Date: 2013-02
• Subjects: culture -- neuroticism -- social support -- stress; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/1359105312439731
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-1053

Abstract

Although it is commonly assumed that social support positively predicts health, the empirical evidence has been inconsistent. We argue that three moderating factors must be considered: (1) support-approving norms (cultural context); (2) support-requiring situations (stressful events); and (3) support-accepting personal style (low neuroticism). Our large-scale cross-cultural survey of Japanese and US adults found significant associations between perceived support and health. The association was more strongly evident among Japanese (from a support-approving cultural context) who reported high life stress (in a support-requiring situation). Moreover, the link between support and health was especially pronounced if these Japanese were low in neuroticism.