Social support and coping: A longitudinal analysis

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Abstract
This paper examined the interrelation between social support and coping in a longitudinal study of 380 clinically depressed individuals. A two-wave, twovariable panel analysis revealed that connections between support and coping varied by gender and across the specific sources of support and modes of coping examined. In the family context, increases in support were related to increases in problem-solving coping among women and to a decline in emotional discharge coping among men. In the work context, increases in social support were related to a greater reliance on affective regulation among women and to more information/support seeking among men. Overall, the results suggest that specific aspects of support and coping processes jointly mediate the link between stress and adjustment among depressed individuals. Investigations of stress, social support, and coping are in the mainstream of psychological theory and research. Work reported in such diverse areas as clinical, community, developmental, and health psychology shares a common concern about the relationships among social support, coping, and adaptation (Billings & Moos, 1984; Coyne & Holroyd, 1982; Fondacaro & Heller, 1983; Petersen & Spiga, 1982). Interest in the support and coping process has been sparked by studies suggesting that social and personal resources may buffer individuals from