Effects of Different Sources of Social support and Social Conflict on Emotional Well-Being

Abstract

Three questions regarding social support and social conflict are examined in this article: (a) Which sources of social support are most strongly related to emotional well-being?, (b) What is the relationship between social support and social conflict?, and (c) Which sources of social conflict are most strongly related to emotional well-being? Three versions of a questionnaire were developed and examined with data from 168 undergraduates. Each version was identical except for the source of social support and social conflict the respondent was asked to describe. Respondents were asked how much support and conflict they experienced with respect to either people in your personal life, some one person, or the person closest to you. The theoretical implications of each of these question formats are described. Results indicate that social support and social conflict were not significantly correlated except when respondents were referring to the person closest to them. Social support significantly correlated with affect and quality of life when respondents referred to people in their lives. Social conflict significantly correlated with the same outcome measures when respondents referred to people and some one person. Social support buffered the effects of social conflict on affect and life quality when respondents referred to some one person. The theoretical and methodological implications of these findings are discussed.