Main description:

The work of 47 contributors from the U.S., Canada, and Israel, the Sourcebook gives special attention to the complexity of the social support construct, expanding the field's theoretical base by seriously reappraising social support research in the context of findings from other fields of psychology and related disciplines. Personality processes are specified to account for observed associations between social support and physical well-being. Several new studies are included which illustrate empirical approaches to exploring these processes. And key contributions highlight the great strides made in understanding the links among personal dispositions, situational contexts, and potentially supportive transactions.

Contents:

Conceptual and Methodological Issues in Research on Social Support and the Personality: Personality and Social Support Processes: A Conceptual Overview; G.R. Pierce, et al. A Relational Schema Approach to Social Support; T. Pierce, et al. The Dynamics of Volitional Reliance: A Motivational Perspective on Dependence, Independence, and Social Support; J. Solky-Butzel, R.M. Ryan. Coping as an Individual Difference Variable; J.T. Ptacek, S. Gross. Social Support, Personality, and Mental and Physical Health: Social Support, Coping, and Psychological Adjustment: A Resource Model; C.J. Holahan, et al. Social Support and Personality in Depression: Implications from Behavioral Genetics; J.E. Roberts, I.H. Gotlib. Social Support and Personality in Life Stress Adjustment; L.H. Cohen, et al. Social Support in Marriage; An Analysis of Intraindividual and Interpersonal Components; L.A. Pasch, et al. Social Support, Personality and Supportive Interactions: Adult Attachment Patterns and Social Support Processes; K. Bartholomew, et al. Personality and Help-Seeking: Autonomous vs. Dependent; A. Nadler, J. Fisher. Social Support, Stress and Personality: Do All Women Benefit from Husband's Presence During Childbirth? G. Keinan. 9 Additional Articles. Indexes.