General and Relationship-Based Perceptions of Social Support: Are Two Constructs Better Than One?

Two hypotheses derived from a theory of perceived social support were investigated: (a) relationship-based perceptions of social support are distinct from general perceptions of support, and (b) measures of each construct contribute uniquely to the prediction of loneliness. Ninety-four male and 116...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of personality and social psychology 1991-12, Vol.61 (6), p.1028-1039
Main Authors: Pierce, Gregory R, Sarason, Irwin G, Sarason, Barbara R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Attitude
Biological and medical sciences
Conflict (Psychology)
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Human
Humans
Hypotheses
Interpersonal Interaction
Interpersonal Relations
Loneliness
Male
Perceptions
Personal relationships
Personality Inventory - statistics & numerical data
Psychology
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Psychometrics
Social interactions. Communication. Group processes
Social psychology
Social research
Social Support
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Summary:Two hypotheses derived from a theory of perceived social support were investigated: (a) relationship-based perceptions of social support are distinct from general perceptions of support, and (b) measures of each construct contribute uniquely to the prediction of loneliness. Ninety-four male and 116 female undergraduates completed measures of loneliness and general perceived social support and the Quality of Relationships Inventory, a new instrument to assess relationship-based perceptions of social support, conflict, and depth in specific relationships. General and relationship-based perceptions of social support were found to be related, but empirically distinct, constructs. Relationship-based perceptions of support and conflict from mothers and friends each added to the prediction of loneliness after considering the contribution of general perceived social support. Implications of these findings for understanding the perceived social support construct are discussed.
ISSN:0022-3514
1939-1315
DOI:10.1037/0022-3514.61.6.1028