Psychobiology of social support: The social dimension of stress buffering

Ditzen, Beate; Heinrichs, Markus

doi:10.3233/rnn-139008

Cited by 298Stress Responses and CortisolNeuroendocrine regulation and behaviorAttachment and Relationship Dynamics

Psychobiology of social support: The social dimension of stress buffering

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Ditzen, Beate, Heinrichs, Markus·2014·Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience

DOI 10.3233/rnn-139008

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Abstract

Social integration and social support have a substantial influence on individual health and longevity, an effect assumed to be mediated through reduced stress reactivity in support recipients. However, considerable variability in individual responses to social support has been documented, suggesting that the beneficial effect of social support interacts with early experiences, genetically influenced differences in biological systems mediating social behavior, personality traits, and psychopathology. Here we outline the historical background of social support research, including epidemiological studies, laboratory studies, and field studies on the subject of social support and health, with regard to different psychobiological effector systems. Most recent research has focused on brain mechanisms which link social integration or social support with reduced neural threat responses. As numerous mental disorders are associated with considerable social impairment, understanding the potentially underlying mechanisms of neural plasticity in relation to social support, stress buffering and health in these disorders can help tailor new diagnostic and treatment strategies. Thus, theories of socially-driven emotional learning and memory, as presented in this review, might eventually lead to psychobiology-based treatment concepts for mental disorders involving social deficits.

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Christenfeld, N. J. S., Gerin, W., Linden, W., Sanders, M., Mathur, J., Deich, J. D., & Pickering, T. G. (1997) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/00006842-199707000-00009 · Cited by 155 · see citing works
2006 Curt P. Richter award winner
DeVries, A. C., Craft, T. K. S., Glasper, E. R., Neigh, G. N., & Alexander, J. K. (2007) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2007.04.007 · Cited by 153 · see citing works
Variant in oxytocin receptor gene is associated with amygdala volume
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Neural correlates of giving support to a loved one
Inagaki, T. K., & Eisenberger, N. I. (2012) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/psy.0b013e3182359335 · Cited by 141 · see citing works
Health and Behavior, the Interplay of Biological, Behavioral and Societal Influences.
Sharby, N. (2005) · Journal of Physical Therapy Education · doi:10.1097/00001416-200507000-00016 · Cited by 136 · see citing works
Neighborhood-level stressors, social support, and diurnal patterns of cortisol: the Chicago Community Adult Health Study
Karb, R. A., Elliott, M. R., Dowd, J. B., & Morenoff, J. D. (2012) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.03.031 · Cited by 136 · see citing works
Sex differences in social support, self-deception, hostility, and ambulatory cardiovascular activity.
von der Linden, W., Chambers, L., Maurice, J., & Lenz, J. W. (1993) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037//0278-6133.12.5.376 · Cited by 135 · see citing works
Relationship quality moderates the effect of social support given by close friends on cardiovascular reactivity in women
Uno, D., Uchino, B. N., & Smith, T. W. (2002) · International Journal of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1207/s15327558ijbm0903_06 · Cited by 125 · see citing works
Stress in Employed Women
Luecken, L. J., Suarez, E. C., Kuhn, C. M., Barefoot, J. C., Blumenthal, J. A., Siegler, I. C., & Williams, R. B. (1997) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/00006842-199707000-00003 · Cited by 123 · see citing works
Effects of a supportive or an unsupportive audience on biological and psychological responses to stress.
Taylor, S. E., Seeman, T. E., Eisenberger, N. I., Kozanian, T. A., Moore, A. N., & Moons, W. G. (2010) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0016563 · Cited by 119 · see citing works
Modeling Social Influences on Human Health
Karelina, K., & DeVries, A. C. (2011) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/psy.0b013e3182002116 · Cited by 115 · see citing works
Stress, social support and cardiovascular activity over the working day
Steptoe, A. (2000) · International Journal of Psychophysiology · doi:10.1016/s0167-8760(00)00109-4 · Cited by 115 · see citing works
Social networks, host resistance, and mortality: a nine-year follow-up study of Alameda County residents
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Sex-specific effects of intranasal oxytocin on autonomic nervous system and emotional responses to couple conflict
Ditzen, B., Nater, U. M., Schaer, M., La Marca, R., Bodenmann, G., Ehlert, U., & Heinrichs, M. (2013) · Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience · doi:10.1093/scan/nss083 · Cited by 111 · see citing works
Self-citation
Social support and compliance: A selective review and critique of treatment integrity and outcome measurement
Levy, R. L. (1983) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/0277-9536(83)90192-2 · Cited by 108 · see citing works
The effect of social support and physical touch on cardiovascular reactions to mental stress
Edens, J. L., Larkin, K. T., & Abel, J. L. (1992) · Journal of Psychosomatic Research · doi:10.1016/0022-3999(92)90073-b · Cited by 102 · see citing works
Oxytocin Gene Polymorphisms Influence Human Dopaminergic Function in a Sex-Dependent Manner
Love, T. M., Enoch, M.-A., Hodgkinson, C. A., Peciña, M., Mickey, B., Koeppe, R. A., Stohler, C. S., Goldman, D., & Zubieta, J.-K. (2012) · Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2012.01.033 · Cited by 97 · see citing works
Social support at work, heart rate, and cortisol: A self-monitoring study.
Evans, O., & Steptoe, A. (2001) · Journal of Occupational Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/1076-8998.6.4.361 · Cited by 95 · see citing works
Workplace Social Support and Ambulatory Cardiovascular Activity in New York City Traffic Agents
Karlin, W. A., Brondolo, E. N., & Schwartz, J. E. (2003) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/01.psy.0000033122.09203.a3 · Cited by 94 · see citing works
Associative learning and conditioning theory : human and non-human applications
Schachtman, T. R., & Reilly, S. (2011) · Oxford University Press eBooks · Cited by 87 · see citing works
The feeling of loneliness prior to coronary artery bypass grafting might be a predictor of short- and long-term postoperative mortality
Herlitz, J. D., Wiklund, I. E., Caidahl, K., Hartford, M., Haglid, M., Karlsson, B., Sjöland, H., & Karlsson, T. (1998) · European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery · doi:10.1016/s1078-5884(98)80152-4 · Cited by 84 · see citing works
Psychoneuroimmune and endocrine pathways in cancer: Effects of stress and support
Spiegel, D., & Sephton, S. E. (2001) · Seminars in Clinical Neuropsychiatry · doi:10.1053/scnp.2001.26995 · Cited by 84 · see citing works
Hostility, social support, and carotid artery atherosclerosis in The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Family Heart Study
Knox, S. S., Adelman, A., Ellison, R. C., Arnett, D. K., Siegmund, K. D., Weidner, G., & Province, M. A. (2000) · The American Journal of Cardiology · doi:10.1016/s0002-9149(00)01164-4 · Cited by 76 · see citing works
Stress-reducing properties of social stimuli.
Kissel, S. J. (1965) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/h0022223 · Cited by 67 · see citing works
The influence of social situations on ambulatory blood pressure.
Spitzer, S. B., Llabre, M. M., Ironson, G. H., Gellman, M. D., & Schneiderman, N. (1992) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/00006842-199201000-00010 · Cited by 66 · see citing works
The relation of social support and working environment to medical variables associated with elevated blood pressure in young males: A structural model
Knox, S. S., Theorell, T., Svensson, J. C., & Waller, D. (1985) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/0277-9536(85)90036-x · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Women's work stress and cortisol levels: A longitudinal study of the association between the psychosocial work environment and serum cortisol
Evolahti, A., Hultcrantz, M., & Collins, A. (2006) · Journal of Psychosomatic Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2006.07.022 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Social Cohesion: Essays toward a Sociophysiological Perspective.
Collins, R., Barchas, P. R., & Mendoza, S. P. (1986) · Contemporary Sociology A Journal of Reviews · doi:10.2307/2071001 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
What’s Closeness Got to Do with It? Men’s and Women’s Cortisol Responses When Providing and Receiving Support
Smith, A. M., Loving, T. J., Crockett, E. E., & Campbell, L. (2009) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/psy.0b013e3181b492e6 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Social support as a moderator of the aftereffects of stress in female psychiatric inpatients.
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Oxytocin Increases Trust in Humans Nature
Kosfeld, M., Heinrichs, M., Zak, P. J., Fischbacher, U., & Fehr, E. (2015) · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Self-citation
Psychobiologische Mechanismen sozialer Unterstützung
Ditzen, B., & Heinrichs, M. (2007) · Zeitschrift für Gesundheitspsychologie · doi:10.1026/0943-8149.15.4.143 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Self-citation
29. Interaction and Adaptation: Intimacy as a Critical Variable
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Oxytocin and Pair Bonding: On Possible Influences During the Life Course
Ditzen, B., Bradley, B., & Heim, C. C. (2012) · Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2012.01.029 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Self-citation
Untitled work
(1983) · doi:10.1002/1520-6629(198304)11:2

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Why social relationships are important for physical health: a systems approach to understanding and modifying risk and protection
Holt-Lunstad, J. (2018) · Annual Review of Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev-psych-122216-011902 · Cited by 873 · see citing works
“Indeed, many recent reviews summarize the processes, conditions, and biological mechanisms by which this effect operates (Ditzen & Heinrichs 2014, Hostinar 2015, Hostinar & Gunnar 2015).”
Background
Stress and the social brain: behavioural effects and neurobiological mechanisms
Sandi, C., & Haller, J. (2015) · Nature reviews. Neuroscience · doi:10.1038/nrn3918 · Cited by 614 · see citing works
Interpersonal mechanisms linking close relationships to health.
Pietromonaco, P. R., & Collins, N. L. (2017) · American Psychologist · doi:10.1037/amp0000129 · Cited by 390 · see citing works
“Neuropeptides involved in social bonding (e.g., endogenous opioids, oxytocin) may mediate these effects (Ditzen & Heinrichs, 2014; Eisenberger & Cole, 2012).”
Background
Affectionate Touch to Promote Relational, Psychological, and Physical Well-Being in Adulthood: A Theoretical Model and Review of the Research
Jakubiak, B. K., & Feeney, B. C. (2016) · Personality and Social Psychology Review · doi:10.1177/1088868316650307 · Cited by 302 · see citing works
“…positive regard and the resulting perceptions of social inclusion, felt security, and social support availability can collectively reduce or prevent stress (e.g., Brown, Sheffield, Leary, & Robinson, 2004; Ditzen & Heinrichs, 2014; Lepore, Allen, & Evan, 1993; Thorsteinsson & James, 1999).”
Background
The nuts and bolts of animal emotion
Kremer, L., Holkenborg, S. E. J. K., Reimert, I., Bolhuis, J. E., & Webb, L. E. (2020) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.01.028 · Cited by 198 · see citing works
“affective states via the presence of another individual is a process found in a wide range of species including mammals, birds, fish and even invertebrates (Ditzen and Heinrichs, 2014; Oliveira and Faustino, 2017; Kiyokawa and Hennessy, 2018).”
Background
Meta-analytic evaluation of stress reduction interventions for undergraduate and graduate students.
Yusufov, M., Nicoloro‐SantaBarbara, J. M., Grey, N. E., Moyer, A. E., & Lobel, M. (2018) · International Journal of Stress Management · doi:10.1037/str0000099 · Cited by 193 · see citing works
Does Self-Compassion Protect Adolescents from Stress?
Bluth, K., Roberson, P. N. E., Gaylord, S. A., Faurot, K. R., Grewen, K., Arzon, S., & Girdler, S. S. (2015) · Journal of Child and Family Studies · doi:10.1007/s10826-015-0307-3 · Cited by 186 · see citing works
“In laboratory stress research, social support has been shown to have buffering effects on both hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and cardiovascular reactivity (Ditzen and Heinrichs 2014).”
Background
The soothing function of touch: affective touch reduces feelings of social exclusion
Mohr, M. V., Kirsch, L. P., & Fotopoulou, A. (2017) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-017-13355-7 · Cited by 178 · see citing works
Oxytocin and Social Relationships: From Attachment to Bond Disruption
Bosch, O. J., & Young, L. J. (2017) · Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences · doi:10.1007/7854_2017_10 · Cited by 162 · see citing works
“Consequently, OT is thought to buffer against physical and emotional stressors (Uvnas-Moberg 1998; Neumann 2002; Smith and Wang 2014; Ditzen and Heinrichs 2014).”
Background
Roles of Oxytocin in Stress Responses, Allostasis and Resilience
Takayanagi, Y., & Onaka, T. (2021) · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · doi:10.3390/ijms23010150 · Cited by 164 · see citing works
A Systematic Review of the Processes Underlying the Main and the Buffering Effect of Social Support on the Experience of Pain
Che, X., Cash, R. F. H., Ng, S. K., Fitzgerald, P. B., & Fitzgibbon, B. M. (2018) · Clinical Journal of Pain · doi:10.1097/ajp.0000000000000624 · Cited by 149 · see citing works
Resilient Aging: Psychological Well-Being and Social Well-Being as Targets for the Promotion of Healthy Aging
Kim, E. S., Tkatch, R., Martin, D., MacLeod, S., Sandy, L. G., & Yeh, C. S. (2021) · Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine · doi:10.1177/23337214211002951 · Cited by 163 · see citing works
“For example, those with high levels of perceived social support feel increased levels of security because they are less likely to appraise a stressful situation as threatening, thus blunting the likelihood of physiological dysregulation (Ditzen & Heinrichs, 2014).”
Background
Social touch deprivation during COVID-19: effects on psychological wellbeing and craving interpersonal touch
Mohr, M. V., Kirsch, L. P., & Fotopoulou, A. (2021) · Royal Society Open Science · doi:10.1098/rsos.210287 · Cited by 146 · see citing works
The combined impact of social support and perceived stress on quality of life in adults with autism spectrum disorder and without intellectual disability
Bishop-Fitzpatrick, L., Mazefsky, C. A., & Eack, S. M. (2018) · Autism · doi:10.1177/1362361317703090 · Cited by 142 · see citing works
“…1970s and 1980s in both the United States and Scandinavia that identify reductions in medical risk factors and risk of mortality (e.g. high blood pressure and high cholesterol) of as much as 50% among those individuals with high levels of social support (for review, see Ditzen and Heinrichs, 2014).”
Background
Menstrual cycle-related fluctuations in oxytocin concentrations: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Engel, S., Klusmann, H., Ditzen, B., Knaevelsrud, C., & Schumacher, S. (2018) · Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.yfrne.2018.11.002 · Cited by 121 · see citing works
Self-citation
Calming Effects of Touch in Human, Animal, and Robotic Interaction—Scientific State-of-the-Art and Technical Advances
Eckstein, M., Mamaev, I., Ditzen, B., & Sailer, U. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.555058 · Cited by 121 · see citing works
“Clinical implications can be drawn for touch as a treatment for an acute physical or mental health problem under consideration of the disorder-specific reactions to touch and also for preventive applications during phases of high stress in order to reduce the chance of stress-induced diseases (148).”
BackgroundSelf-citation
Teachers’ Relationship Closeness with Students as a Resource for Teacher Wellbeing: A Response Surface Analytical Approach
Milatz, A., Lüftenegger, M., & Schober, B. (2015) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01949 · Cited by 143 · see citing works
The social buffering of pain by affective touch: a laser-evoked potential study in romantic couples
Mohr, M. V., Krahé, C., Beck, B., & Fotopoulou, A. (2018) · Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience · doi:10.1093/scan/nsy085 · Cited by 113 · see citing works
Synergy of pandemics-social isolation is associated with worsened Parkinson severity and quality of life
Subramanian, I., Farahnik, J., & Mischley, L. K. (2020) · npj Parkinson s Disease · doi:10.1038/s41531-020-00128-9 · Cited by 118 · see citing works
Social and affective touch in primates and its role in the evolution of social cohesion
Jablonski, N. G. (2020) · Neuroscience · doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.11.024 · Cited by 111 · see citing works
“The roles of social touch in primate lives and groups All mammals need social proximity and attachment, and the CT afferent system provides the neurobiological support for these essential functions (Ditzen and Heinrichs, 2014; Hostinar et al., 2014; von Mohr et al., 2017).”
The social nature of mitochondria: Implications for human health
Picard, M. A., & Sandi, C. (2020) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.04.017 · Cited by 102 · see citing works
“Struggling to stay connected”: comparing the social relationships of healthy older people and people with stroke and aphasia
Hilari, K., & Northcott, S. (2016) · Aphasiology · doi:10.1080/02687038.2016.1218436 · Cited by 97 · see citing works
“Ditzen and Heinrichs (2013) define received support as “an intended and observable act of help (including all functional types)” whereas perceived support is “understood as a general expectation of being supported.””
Background
Social Support Attenuates Physiological Stress Responses and Experimental Pain Sensitivity to Cold Pressor Pain
Roberts, M. H., Klatzkin, R. R., & Mechlin, B. (2015) · Annals of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1007/s12160-015-9686-3 · Cited by 96 · see citing works
“Support from both romantic partners as well as close friends have been reported to attenuate physiological stress [17, 26], while social support from friends, strangers, and significant others have each been shown to reduce pain perception in the laboratory [20, 27], regardless of whether the support is active (i.”
BackgroundResult
Early life adversity during the infant sensitive period for attachment: Programming of behavioral neurobiology of threat processing and social behavior
Opendak, M., Gould, E., & Sullivan, R. (2017) · Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience · doi:10.1016/j.dcn.2017.02.002 · Cited by 94 · see citing works
“…al., 2014; Hostinar et al., 2015; Sanchez et al., 2015; Sandi and Haller, 2015) which is consistent with the animal literature (Barr et al., 2009; Ditzen and Heinrichs, 2014; Hennessy et al., 2015; Kiyokawa et al., 2004; Sanchez et al., 2015; Shionoya et al., 2007; Sullivan and Perry, 2015;…”
Early social deprivation and the social buffering of cortisol stress responses in late childhood: an experimental study
Hostinar, C. E., Johnson, A. E., & Gunnar, M. R. (2015) · Developmental Psychology · doi:10.1037/dev0000029 · Cited by 91 · see citing works
“The Social Buffering of the HPA Axis Support from close relationships can be an important source of comfort during distress and can dampen the reactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) stress system (Ditzen & Heinrichs, 2014; Hostinar, Sullivan, & Gunnar, 2014).”
Background
The effects of acute stress and stress hormones on social cognition and behavior: Current state of research and future directions
von Dawans, B., Strojny, J., & Domes, G. (2020) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.11.026 · Cited by 90 · see citing works
Social touch, CT touch and massage therapy: A narrative review
Field, T. (2019) · Developmental Review · doi:10.1016/j.dr.2019.01.002 · Cited by 90 · see citing works
Lost connections: Oxytocin and the neural, physiological, and behavioral consequences of disrupted relationships
Pohl, T. T., Young, L. J., & Bosch, O. J. (2019) · International Journal of Psychophysiology · doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2017.12.011 · Cited by 83 · see citing works
“…intranasal administration of OT potentiates the calming effects of social support; these effects are most likely based on a reduction of the stress-induced cortisol levels (Ditzen and Heinrichs, 2014; Heinrichs et al., 2003; Heinrichs et al., 2009; Olff et al., 2013; Quirin et al., 2011).”
Background
Enhanced emotional empathy after psychosocial stress in young healthy men
Wolf, O. T., Schulte, J. M., Drimalla, H., Hamacher‐Dang, T. C., Knoch, D., & Dziobek, I. (2015) · Stress · doi:10.3109/10253890.2015.1078787 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
“In contrast, experiencing prosocial behavior in the form of social support is a potent stress buffer (Ditzen & Heinrichs, 2014).”
Background
Effects of acute stress on social behavior in women
von Dawans, B., Ditzen, B., Trueg, A., Fischbacher, U., & Heinrichs, M. (2018) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.08.031 · Cited by 77 · see citing works
Self-citation
Interpersonal Affective Touch in a Virtual World: Feeling the Social Presence of Others to Overcome Loneliness
Longa, L. D., Valori, I., & Farroni, T. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.795283 · Cited by 82 · see citing works
“Notably, physical contact and affective tactile exchanges may increase the feeling of closeness and social connection (Morrison, 2016), thus promoting the subjective experience of security and comfort that in tune may result in a decrease of stress reactivity (Ditzen and Heinrichs, 2014).”
Background
Social Monogamy in Nonhuman Primates: Phylogeny, Phenotype, and Physiology
French, J. A., Cavanaugh, J., Mustoe, A. C., Carp, S. B., & Womack, S. L. (2017) · The Journal of Sex Research · doi:10.1080/00224499.2017.1339774 · Cited by 72 · see citing works
“…support, including the sympathetic nervous system, limbic and cortical regions (e.g., amygdala, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex), and the HPA axis (Ditzen & Heinrichs, 2014; Hostinar, Sullivan, & Gunnar, 2014), the OT system has been identified as a leading candidate for the regulation of social…”
Background
Mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in U.S. military veterans: a population-based, prospective cohort study
Hill, M. L., Nichter, B., Na, P. J., Norman, S. B., Morland, L. A., Krystal, J. H., & Pietrzak, R. H. (2021) · Psychological Medicine · doi:10.1017/s0033291721002361 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
“…consistent with a literature showing that social support may help buffer the deleterious effects of stressors through psychobiological mechanisms (Ditzen & Heinrichs, 2014), align with calls for health care providers to regularly monitor social factors in populations at increased risk for…”
Background
Virtual social support buffers stress response: An experimental comparison of real-life and virtual support prior to a social stressor
Kothgassner, O. D., Goreis, A., Kafka, J. X., Kaufmann, M., Atteneder, K., Beutl, L., Hennig‐Fast, K., Hlavacs, H., & Felnhofer, A. (2018) · Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2018.11.003 · Cited by 74 · see citing works
Title: “Labels Matter: Is it stress or is it Trauma?”
Richter‐Levin, G., & Sandi, C. (2021) · Translational Psychiatry · doi:10.1038/s41398-021-01514-4 · Cited by 82 · see citing works
The role of social connection on the experience of COVID-19 related post-traumatic growth and stress
Matos, M., McEwan, K., Kanovský, M., Halamová, J., Steindl, S. R., Ferreira, N., Linharelhos, M., Rijo, D., Asano, K., Vilas, S. P., et al. (2021) · PLOS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0261384 · Cited by 73 · see citing works
“This is congruent with the notion that having access to caring, supportive social connections has a range of benefits for mental wellbeing [19, 20].”
Background
Association between social isolation and depression: Evidence from longitudinal and Mendelian randomization analyses
Zhu, S., Kong, X., Han, F., Tian, H., Sun, S., Sun, Y., Feng, W., & Wu, Y. (2024) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2024.01.106 · Cited by 74 · see citing works
Neurobehavioral assessment of maternal odor in developing rat pups: implications for social buffering
Aïn, S. A., Perry, R. E., Nuñez, B. S., Kayser, K. E., Hochman, C., Brehman, E., LaComb, M., Wilson, D. A., & Sullivan, R. M. (2016) · Social Neuroscience · doi:10.1080/17470919.2016.1159605 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
“This aspect of social support has been described in myriad species, including humans and rodents, and occurs throughout the lifespan (Ditzen & Heinrichs, 2014; Gee et al., 2014; Hennessy, Kaiser, & Sachser, 2009; Hennessy et al., 2015; Hostinar & Gunnar, 2013; Kikusui, Winslow, & Mori, 2006;…”
Background
Oxytocin modulates behavioral and physiological responses to a stressor in marmoset monkeys
Cavanaugh, J., Carp, S. B., Rock, C. M., & French, J. A. (2016) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.12.027 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
“Brosnan et al. (2015) suggested that treatment with OXT elicited an anxiolytic response, thus diminished the motivation, and potentially the need, for social contact (which can be anxiolytic itself; Ditzen and Heinrichs, 2014).”
BackgroundInfluential
Social Isolation, Sleep Disturbance, and Cognitive Functioning (HRS): A Longitudinal Mediation Study
Qi, X., Pei, Y., Malone, S. K., & Wu, B. (2023) · The Journals of Gerontology Series A · doi:10.1093/gerona/glad004 · Cited by 62 · see citing works
The socially evaluated cold-pressor test (SECPT) for groups: Effects of repeated administration of a combined physiological and psychological stressor
Minkley, N., Schröder, T. P., Wolf, O. T., & Kirchner, W. H. (2014) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.03.022 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
“In addition, evidence suggests that stress responses may be enhanced in a group-design, despite the possible buffering effects of social support (Ditzen and Heinrichs, 2014).”
Background
Intimacy as Related to Cortisol Reactivity and Recovery in Couples Undergoing Psychosocial Stress
Ditzen, B., Germann, J., Meuwly, N., Bradbury, T. N., Bodenmann, G., & Heinrichs, M. (2018) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/psy.0000000000000633 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Self-citation
Threat, safety, safeness and social safeness 30 years on: Fundamental dimensions and distinctions for mental health and well‐being
Gilbert, P. (2024) · British Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1111/bjc.12466 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Mechanisms and functional implications of social buffering in infants: Lessons from animal models
Sullivan, R. M., & Perry, R. E. (2015) · Social Neuroscience · doi:10.1080/17470919.2015.1087425 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
“…species, including in human, nonhuman primates, and rodents, and there are profound positive effects of social buffering on health and well-being (Ditzen & Heinrichs, 2014; Gee et al., 2014; Hennessy, Kaiser, & Sachser, 2009; Hostinar, Sullivan, & Gunnar, 2014; Uchino, Cacioppo, &…”
Background
Optogenetic reactivation of prefrontal social neural ensembles mimics social buffering of fear
Gutzeit, V. A., Ahuna, K., Santos, T. L., Cunningham, A. M., Rooney, M. S., Zamora, A., Denny, C. A., & Donaldson, Z. R. (2020) · Neuropsychopharmacology · doi:10.1038/s41386-020-0631-1 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
“In humans, social buffering consistently attenuates behavioral fear responses and anxiety levels in both experimental and self-reported contexts [25].”
Background
The relationship between real-life social support and Internet addiction among the elderly in China
Jia, Y., Liu, T., & Yang, Y. (2022) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.981307 · Cited by 55 · see citing works
Dominance rank causally affects personality and glucocorticoid regulation in female rhesus macaques
Kohn, J. N., Snyder‐Mackler, N., Barreiro, L. B., Johnson, Z. P., Tung, J., & Wilson, M. E. (2016) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.09.005 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
“These findings were unexpected and contrary to our initial predictions, as they seem to contradict reports that social affiliation is stress buffering (Ditzen and Heinrichs, 2014; Sanchez et al., 2015; Young et al., 2014), and that anxiousness is associated with increased cortisol output (Shackman et al.”
Socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyles, social support quality and mental health in college students: a cross-sectional study
Wang, C., Yan, S., Jiang, H., Guo, Y., Gan, Y., Lv, C., & Lu, Z. (2022) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-022-14002-1 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Mindfulness‐Based Couple Interventions: A Systematic Literature Review
Winter, F., Steffan, A., Warth, M., Ditzen, B., & Aguilar‐Raab, C. (2021) · Family Process · doi:10.1111/famp.12683 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Self-citation
The neurobiology of safety and threat learning in infancy
Dębiec, J., & Sullivan, R. M. (2016) · Neurobiology of Learning and Memory · doi:10.1016/j.nlm.2016.10.015 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Virtual and real-life ostracism and its impact on a subsequent acute stressor
Kothgassner, O. D., Goreis, A., Glenk, L. M., Kafka, J. X., Beutl, L., Kryspin‐Exner, I., Hlavacs, H., Palme, R., & Felnhofer, A. (2020) · Physiology & Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.113205 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Touch medicine: bridging the gap between recent insights from touch research and clinical medicine and its special significance for the treatment of affective disorders
McGlone, F. P., Moberg, K. U., Norholt, H., Eggart, M., & Müller-Oerlinghausen, B. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1390673 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Oxytocin regulates reunion affiliation with a pairmate following social separation in marmosets
Cavanaugh, J., Mustoe, A. C., & French, J. A. (2018) · American Journal of Primatology · doi:10.1002/ajp.22750 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
“High-quality partnerships and support systems are critical social resources, and serve as protective mechanisms against the deleterious outcomes associated with social stress (Carter, 1998; Cohen & Willis, 1985; Ditzen & Heinrichs, 2014; Wittig et al., 2016).”
Background
Cortisol reactivity and depressive symptoms in pregnancy: The moderating role of perceived social support and neuroticism
Kofman, Y. B., Eng, Z. E., Busse, D., Godkin, S., Campos, B., Sandman, C. A., Wing, D. A., & Yim, I. S. (2019) · Biological Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2019.01.016 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Moderated Mediation Model of Interrelations between Workplace Romance, Wellbeing, and Employee Performance
Khan, M. A. S., Du, J., Usman, M., & Ahmad, M. I. (2017) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02158 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
“The perception of a positive regard from the romance partner offers a sense of security and social inclusion and contributes to the reduction and prevention of stress (Ditzen and Heinrichs, 2014).”
Background
Mediating Effect of Social Support in the Relationship Between Childhood Abuse and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Among Chinese Undergraduates: The Role of Only-Child Status
Xu, H., Song, X., Wang, S., Zhang, S., Xu, S., & Wan, Y. (2019) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph16204023 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
“Some scholars have shown that social support is an important mental health resource so far, which plays a buffering effect on the relationship between childhood abuse and adverse outcomes [16,17].”
Background
Thanks, but no thanks
Floyd, K., & Ray, C. D. (2016) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/0265407516673161 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
“Although offers of social support can contribute to relationship satisfaction (Cutrona, Shaffer, Wesner, & Gardner, 2007), promote individual health (Ditzen & Heinrichs, 2014), and bolster esteem (Holmstrom & Kim, 2015), it is instructive to note that they can create a quandary for receivers, who…”
Background
Impact of social support on psychosocial symptoms and quality of life in cancer patients: results of a multilevel model approach from a longitudinal multicenter study
Sauer, C., Weis, J., Faller, H., Junne, F., Hönig, K., Bergelt, C., Hornemann, B., Stein, B., Teufel, M., Goerling, U., et al. (2019) · Acta Oncologica · doi:10.1080/0284186x.2019.1631471 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
“Social support has positive effects on health and longevity and acts as a buffer under high levels of stress [1].”
Background
Parsing inter- and intra-individual variability in key nervous system mechanisms of stress responsivity and across functional domains
Rab, S. L., & Admon, R. (2020) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.09.007 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Sex differences in the mediating role of chronic inflammation on the association between social isolation and cognitive functioning among older adults in the United States
Qi, X., Ng, T. K. S., & Wu, B. (2023) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106023 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Oxytocin administration and emotion recognition abilities in adults with a history of childhood adversity
Schwaiger, M., Heinrichs, M., & Kumsta, R. (2018) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.08.025 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
“protective resources such as social support (Ditzen and Heinrichs, 2014).”
Self-citation
PDE11A regulates social behaviors and is a key mechanism by which social experience sculpts the brain
Hegde, S., Ji, H., Oliver, D., Patel, N. S., Poupore, N. S., Shtutman, M. S., & Kelly, M. P. (2016) · Neuroscience · doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.08.019 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
“, the stress-reducing effect elicited by the presence of a conspecific (Ditzen and Heinrichs, 2014; Hostinar et al., 2014; Gobrogge and Wang, 2015)), since it does not appear that a PDE11A mutant mouse is simply more motivated to explore a novel object vs.”
Background
Co-variation of fatigue and psychobiological stress in couples’ everyday life
Doerr, J. M., Nater, U. M., Ehlert, U., & Ditzen, B. (2018) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.01.016 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Self-citation
Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms Predict Sustained Quality of Life Deficits in HIV-Positive Ugandan Adults Despite Antiretroviral Therapy
Ezeamama, A. E., Woolfork, M. N., Guwatudde, D., Bagenda, D. S., Manabe, Y. C., Fawzi, W. W., & Fawzi, M. C. S. (2016) · Medicine · doi:10.1097/md.0000000000002525 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Residential segregation and mental health among Latinos in a nationally representative survey
Nobles, C. J., Valentine, S. E., Zepeda, E. D., Wang, Y., Ahles, E. M., Shtasel, D. L., & Marques, L. M. (2016) · Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health · doi:10.1136/jech-2016-208034 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Social aggravation: Understanding the complex role of social relationships on stress and health-relevant physiology
Birmingham, W. C., & Holt‐Lunstad, J. (2018) · International Journal of Psychophysiology · doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2018.03.023 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Individuals at high risk for psychosis experience more childhood trauma, life events and social support deficit in comparison to healthy controls.
Huang, Z., Hou, C.-L., Huang, Y.-H., He, X.-Y., Wang, Q.-W., Chen, X., Wang, Z.-L., Wang, S., & Jia, F. (2019) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2019.01.060 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
The mere presence of an attentive and emotionally responsive virtual character influences focus of attention and perceived stress
Felnhofer, A., Kaufmann, M., Atteneder, K., Kafka, J., Hlavacs, H., Beutl, L., Hennig-Fast, K., & Kothgassner, O. (2019) · Int. J. Hum. Comput. Stud. · doi:10.1016/j.ijhcs.2019.07.010 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Face Threats and Additional Reasons for Perceiving Support as Unwanted: A Study of Recently Diagnosed Cancer Patients
Ray, C. D., & Veluscek, A. M. (2016) · Health Communication · doi:10.1080/10410236.2016.1228027 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
“Although support has been shown to have many benefits for recipients (for a review, see Ditzen & Heinrichs, 2014), researchers have contended that some support is actually harmful (Albrecht, Burleson, & Goldsmith, 1994), and failed support attempts from significant others can have a negative effect…”
Background
Analyzing factors affecting quality of life in patients hospitalized with chronic wound
Yan, R., Yu, F., Strandlund, K., Han, J., Lei, N., & Song, Y. (2020) · Wound Repair and Regeneration · doi:10.1111/wrr.12870 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
“Research has found that social support can reduce overall individual stress by main effects and buffering effects to promote health in the long term.(31) The main effect of social support refers to the direct positive effect of social support on various health parameters without considering stress factors, and the buf…”
Background
The effectiveness of school-based skills-training programs promoting mental health in adolescents: a study protocol for a randomized controlled study
van Loon, A. W. G., Creemers, H. E., Vogelaar, S., Saab, N., Miers, A. C., Westenberg, P. M., & Asscher, J. J. (2019) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-019-6999-3 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
“Dysfunctional social interactions can trigger stress [24], hence, improving social skills by teaching adolescents to better communicate with others, might reduce perceived social stress.”
The Relationship Between Social Isolation and Cognitive Frailty Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: The Mediating Role of Depressive Symptoms
Bai, Y., Chen, Y., Tian, M., Gao, J., Song, Y., Zhang, X., Yin, H., & Xu, G. (2024) · Clinical Interventions in Aging · doi:10.2147/cia.s461288 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
“15 Conversely, older adults with social isolation often encounter a deficiency in both material and emotional support and show higher rates of depression and depressive symptoms.”
Background
Oxytocin and the emergence of individual differences in the social regulation of stress
Chen, F. S., Heinrichs, M., & Johnson, S. C. (2017) · Social and Personality Psychology Compass · doi:10.1111/spc3.12332 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
“We focus on the role of the oxytocin system, which has been theorized to underlie the social buffering of stress (Ditzen & Heinrichs, 2014; Hostinar, Sullivan, & Gunnar, 2014).”
BackgroundSelf-citation
Variability in Brain Structure and Function Reflects Lack of Peer Support
Schurz, M., Uddin, L. Q., Kanske, P., Lamm, C., Sallet, J., Bernhardt, B. C., Mars, R. B., & Bzdok, D. (2021) · Cerebral Cortex · doi:10.1093/cercor/bhab109 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Severe housing-cost burden and obesity among preschool-aged low-income children in Los Angeles County
Nobari, T. Z., Whaley, S. E., Blumenberg, E., Prelip, M. L., & Wang, M. C. (2018) · Preventive Medicine Reports · doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2018.12.003 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
“These individuals may help with child care or they may provide the mother social support which can buffer feelings of stress and depression (Campos et al., 2014; Ditzen and Heinrichs, 2014).”
Oxytocin release via activation of TRPM2 and CD38 in the hypothalamus during hyperthermia in mice: Implication for autism spectrum disorder
Higashida, H., Yuhi, T., Akther, S., Amina, S., Zhong, J., Liang, M., Nishimura, T., Liu, H.-X., & Lopatina, O. L. (2017) · Neurochemistry International · doi:10.1016/j.neuint.2017.07.009 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
“In addition, OT is released in response to emotional, physical, and pharmacological stresses (Butterweck et al., 2003; Ebner et al., 2005; Quirin et al., 2011; Onaka et al., 2012; Ditzen and Heinrichs, 2014; Engert et al., 2016; Torner et al., 2017).”
Background
Health Literacy and Medication Adherence in COPD Patients: When Caregiver Presence Is Not Sufficient
Muellers, K., Chen, L., O’Conor, R. M., Wolf, M. S., Federman, A. D., & Wisnivesky, J. P. (2019) · COPD Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease · doi:10.1080/15412555.2019.1665007 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
“Throughout the literature, there is evidence that caregiver support can mitigate patients’ health-related stress [10], improve self-management of chronic illness, and positively affect long-term outcomes in conditions such as COPD [11,12].”
Background
Memories of and influenced by the Trier Social Stress Test
Wolf, O. T. (2018) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.10.031 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
“Here stress reduction techniques or social support might be useful strategies to buffer the stress response (Ditzen and Heinrichs, 2014).”
The Development of Stress Reactivity and Regulation in Children and Adolescents
Filetti, C. R., Kane‐Grade, F., & Gunnar, M. R. (2023) · Current Neuropharmacology · doi:10.2174/1570159x21666230808120504 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
“For both males and females, recovery from the stressor is accelerated by social support from their romantic partner if the partner provides high versus low positive support [183].”
Background
Social support buffers the negative influence of perceived injustice on pain interference in people living with HIV and chronic pain
Penn, T. M., Trost, Z., Parker, R., Wagner, W. P., Owens, M. A., Gonzalez, C. E., White, D. M., Merlin, J. S., & Goodin, B. R. (2019) · PAIN Reports · doi:10.1097/pr9.0000000000000710 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
“Moreover, the stress-buffering hypothesis of social support posits that access to social support can eliminate or weaken the negative effects of a perceived stressor on health and quality of life.(6,13) Social support refers to the perception and actuality that one is cared for, has assistance available from other peo…”
Background
How Does Workplace Romance Influence Employee Performance in the Hospitality Industry?
Jung, H. S., & Yoon, H. H. (2020) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su12135478 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
“Ditzen and Heinrichs [31] noted that workplace romances provide a sense of stability and social inclusion while also reducing stress in the workplace.”
Background
The Mediating Role of Social Support in the Relationship Between Psychological Capital and Depression Among Chinese Emergency Physicians
Xu, H., Liu, X., & Zeng, P. (2022) · Psychology Research and Behavior Management · doi:10.2147/prbm.s360611 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
“Social Support as a Positive Social Resource for Depression In parallel, the ability of social support (SS) to serve as a crucial social factor with beneficial effects on human health has long been recognized(27) and well documented for several decades now.(27,28) People persist, cope, and thrive not as isolated indiv…”
Background
Stress Management Apps: Systematic Search and Multidimensional Assessment of Quality and Characteristics
Paganini, S., Meier, E. P., Terhorst, Y., Wurst, R., Hohberg, V., Schultchen, D., Strahler, J., Wursthorn, M., Baumeister, H., & Meßner, E.-M. (2023) · JMIR mhealth and uhealth · doi:10.2196/42415 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
“Since the availability of a community has beneficial effects on user engagement [80] and social support can positively influence the stress response [81], this seems to be a desirable trend.”
Background
Oxytocin for learning calm and safety
Eckstein, M., de Minas, A. C. A., Scheele, D., Kreuder, A., Hurlemann, R., Grinevich, V., & Ditzen, B. (2018) · International Journal of Psychophysiology · doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2018.06.004 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Self-citation
Developing Self-concept, Coping Skills, and Social Support in Grades 3–12: A Cluster-Randomized Trial of a Combined Mental Health Literacy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Program
Katz, J., Mercer, S. H., & Skinner, S. (2019) · School Mental Health · doi:10.1007/s12310-019-09353-x · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Resilience by design: How nature, nurture, environment, and microbiome mitigate stress and allostatic load
Chbeir, S., & Carrión, V. (2023) · World Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.5498/wjp.v13.i5.144 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Effects of Emotional Expressiveness of a Female Digital Human on Loneliness, Stress, Perceived Support, and Closeness Across Genders: Randomized Controlled Trial
Loveys, K., Sagar, M., Zhang, X., Fricchione, G., & Broadbent, E. (2021) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/30624 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
“Social support may improve health outcomes indirectly through the provision of functional support (eg, transportation to a health appointment) or directly by exerting a stress-buffering effect [15,16].”
Social capital, health, health behavior, and utilization of healthcare services among older adults: A conceptual framework
Emmering, S. A., Astroth, K. S., Woith, W. M., Dyck, M. J., & Kim, M. (2018) · Nursing Forum · doi:10.1111/nuf.12268 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Oxytocin and positive couple interaction affect the perception of wound pain in everyday life
Pfeifer, A.-C., Schröder‐Pfeifer, P., Schneider, E., Schick, M., Heinrichs, M., Bodenmann, G., Ehlert, U., Herpertz, S. C., Läuchli, S., Eckstein, M., et al. (2020) · Molecular Pain · doi:10.1177/1744806920918692 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
“Social interactions with significant others have a profound impact on our ability to cope with emotional and physical distress.(1,2) Being married or living in a committed relationship appears to be one of the most powerful sources of social support in humans.”
BackgroundSelf-citation
Loneliness and diurnal cortisol levels during COVID-19 lockdown: the roles of living situation, relationship status and relationship quality
Hopf, D., Schneider, E., Aguilar-Raab, C., Scheele, D., Morr, M., Klein, T., Ditzen, B., & Eckstein, M. (2022) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-022-19224-2 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Self-citation
Consequences and Possible Predictors of Health-damaging Behaviors and Mental Health Problems in Pregnancy – A Review
Ulrich, F., & Petermann, F. (2016) · Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde · doi:10.1055/s-0042-118180 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Perceived social support, loneliness, and later life telomere length following wartime captivity.
Stein, J. Y., Levin, Y., Lahav, Y., Uziel, O., Abumock, H., & Solomon, Z. (2018) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/hea0000669 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
“Conversely, evidence suggests that this process may be partially mitigated by increasing social resources and support (Brooks et al., 2014; Zalli et al., 2014), possibly by generating safety signals that may attenuate the activity of the HPA system (Ditzen & Heinrichs, 2014).”
BackgroundInfluential
Oxytocin Modulates the Cognitive Appraisal of the Own and Others Close Intimate Relationships
Aguilar‐Raab, C., Eckstein, M., Geracitano, S., Prévost, M., Gold, I., Heinrichs, M., Bilderbeck, A. C., Ehlert, U., & Ditzen, B. (2019) · Frontiers in Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnins.2019.00714 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
“Healthy and supportive intimate relationships promote well-being, buffer against the development of mental and physical illnesses, and improve recovery in burdened individuals (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2010; Ditzen and Heinrichs, 2014).”
BackgroundSelf-citation
Social isolation, loneliness and mental health sequelae of the Covid-19 pandemic in Parkinson's disease
McDaniels, B. W., & Subramanian, I. (2022) · International review of neurobiology · doi:10.1016/bs.irn.2022.03.003 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
“A robust body of literature exists explicating the role of social support in buffering stress (Ditzen & Heinrichs, 2014; Holt-Lunstad, 2018; Nitschke et al., 2021; Sandi & Haller, 2015).”
Background
Social buffering in rats reduces fear by oxytocin triggering sustained changes in central amygdala neuronal activity
Hegoburu, C., Tang, Y., Niu, R., Ghosh, S., Rio, R. T. D., Salgado, I. D. A., Abatis, M., Caseiro, D. M., van den Burg, E. H., Grundschober, C., et al. (2024) · Nature Communications · doi:10.1038/s41467-024-45626-z · Cited by 29 · see citing works
“In behavioral therapy, social support can play an important role in immediate as well as long-term reduction of stress and anxiety 1,2 and is effective in treating patients suffering from anxiety disorders, such as post-traumaticstressdisorder 3,4 .”
Supportive hand-holding attenuates pupillary responses to stress in adult couples
Graff, T. C., Luke, S. G., & Birmingham, W. C. (2019) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0212703 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
“Additionally, Ditzen and Heinrichs [9] explain that autonomic activation can be assessed through different physiological markers, such as pulse rate, blood pressure, or skin conductance, but that these measures do not necessarily correlate.”
Background
Stress, dependency, and depression: An examination of the reinforcement effects of problematic smartphone use on perceived stress and later depression
Zhao, P., & Lapierre, M. A. (2020) · Cyberpsychology Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace · doi:10.5817/cp2020-4-3 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
“…a substantial body of empirical support to the buffering model of social support, and these findings suggested that social support can reduce stress reactivity and further decrease negative behavioral and psychobiological outcomes of stress (e.g., Ditzen & Heinrichs, 2014; Takizawa et al., 2006).”
Background
Suporte Social e HIV: Relações Entre Características Clínicas, Sociodemográficas e Adesão ao Tratamento
Lenzi, L., Tonin, F., de Souza, V. D., & Pontarolo, R. (2018) · Psicologia: Teoria e Pesquisa · doi:10.1590/0102.3772e34422 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
COVID-19: Psychologische Folgen für Familie, Kinder und Partnerschaft
Hahlweg, K., Ditzen, B., Job, A., Gastner, J., Schulz, W., Supke, M., & Walper, S. (2020) · Zeitschrift für Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie · doi:10.1026/1616-3443/a000592 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
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Stress decreases serotonin tone in the nucleus accumbens in male mice to promote aversion and potentiate cocaine preference via decreased stimulation of 5-HT1B receptors
Fontaine, H. M., Silva, P. R., Neiswanger, C., Tran, R., Abraham, A. D., Land, B. B., Neumaier, J. F., & Chavkin, C. (2021) · Neuropsychopharmacology · doi:10.1038/s41386-021-01178-0 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
“At the behavioral level, these increases in drug and social reward seeking may represent an attempt to buffer the negative hedonic effects of stress [27, 67].”
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Problems and prospects for the social support-reactivity hypothesis
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Social Support and Longevity: Meta-Analysis-Based Evidence and Psychobiological Mechanisms
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Authors: Ditzen, B., & Heinrichs, M.
Affiliations: University of Zurich (CH)
University of Freiburg (DE)
Corresponding author: Ditzen, Beate
Heinrichs, Markus
ORCID: Ditzen, Beate
Heinrichs, Markus
Venue: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Published: 2014-02
Volume: 32
Issue: 1
Pages: 149-162
ISSN: 0922-6028 (ISSN-L)
1878-3627
DOI: 10.3233/rnn-139008
OpenAlex: W1671710112
Cited by: 298
References: 130
Citations by year: 2026: 22 · 2025: 31 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 26 · 2022: 28 · 2021: 39 · 2020: 35 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 26 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 2
FWCI: 7.52
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: hybrid
doi.org
Licence: cc-by-nc
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (unspecified)
journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Research Bank (Australian Catholic University) (submittedVersion)
FreiDok plus (Universitätsbibliothek Freiburg) (submittedVersion)
Funders: National Science Foundation
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (5310/1-1)
Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung (108392, 124627)
Universität Zürich
Topics: Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
Keywords: social support, stress buffering, psychobiology, social integration, stress reactivity, neuroplasticity, social-emotional learning, social memory, mental illness, social dysfunction, genetic factors, personality traits, psychopathology, longevity
MeSH terms: Humans, Social Support, Stress, Psychological

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Psychobiology of social support: The social dimension of stress buffering

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