Past, Present, and Future: Adversity and Social Support in Family and Friends

Abstract

Current research extensively explores the buffering role of social support in response to adversity. However, less attention has been given to the conditions under which social support is mobilized including when adversity occurs, who provides the support, or what type of support is exchanged. In the current research, we examine how past adversity and recent stress relate to support-seeking and support receiving across family and friend networks and different types of social support (i.e. emotional, informational, practical, and financial). Using longitudinal data from participants in a low- to middle-income community (n = 385) collected at baseline and a first follow-up survey, we assess how past adversity and recent stress influence social network responses to a recent stressor. Results indicate that recent stress is unrelated to support-seeking but is associated with greater support-receiving from family. In contrast, past adversity predicts reduced support-seeking from friends and is unrelated to support-receiving. These findings highlight the importance of distinguishing between recent stress and past adversity and the consequences adversities may have on social support. Future research should focus on addressing the potential mechanisms between adversity and social support. Additionally, future interventions aimed at reducing stigma may provide valuable support for those with higher instances of adversities when support-seeking.