Social Support in Couples

Marriage as a Resource in Times of Stress

Carolyn E. Cutrona

• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc
• Year: 1996
• Print ISBN: 9780803948846, 9780803948839
• eBook ISBN: 9781452248202
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Psychology
• Subtopic: Social Psychology
• Index: Psychology

Expressions of support between partners may be more commonplace than heroic, but their cumulative effects on the growth of trust, enduring love, and commitment can be considerable--even lifesaving in the face of otherwise overwhelming tragedy. Skillfully weaving together the latest research with engaging case examples and practical applications, author Carolyn E. Cutrona offers an in-depth analysis of how committed partners can serve as resources for each other in stressful scenarios. Beginning with a fresh overview of definitions and concepts, Social Support in Couples articulates the vital components of intimate support systems. This informative volume explores the phenomenon of marital communication through real-life interactions, focusing on gender-related differences, the interplay between supportive and destructive interactions, and stress experienced during chronic/disabling illness. In a concluding chapter, a research agenda for future study opens the topic up to additional serious consideration. A reader-friendly examination of the power of supportive acts, Social Support in Couples is recommended for a wide readership, including academics, practitioners, and students in family studies, social psychology, social work, and marriage and family counseling.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Contents
• Series Editors’ Introduction
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Chapter 1 - What is Social Support and What Makes You Think You Have it?
• Defining Social Support
• When Does Social Support Exert Its Effect?
• Operationalizing Social Support
• Related Constructs: Social Integration and Social Networks
• Social Support in the Context of Marriage
• A Place for Social Support in the Study of Close Relationships
• Conclusions
• Chapter 2 - Gender-Related Differences in Social Support and Coping
• Who Benefits from Marriage?
• Gender Differences in Sources of Social Support
• Gender Differences in the Provision of Marital Social Support
• Are the Effects of Social Support on Well-Being Different for Men and Women?
• Returning to the Puzzle: Marital Status Versus Marital Quality
• The Need for Process Research
• Gender Differences in Coping
• Conclusions
• Chapter 3 - Giving and Taking Support: A Complicated Process
• Revelation of the Problem
• Appraisal of Support Needs by the Partner
• Providing Support: What Determines Success?
• Conclusions
• Chapter 4 - The Interplay between Conflict and Social Support: Do Positive Behaviors Really Matter?
• The Role of Social Support in Relationship Maintenance
• Support Failures as a Source of Conflict: Disappointed Expectations for Support
• A Preliminary Investigation of Conflict and Support
• Conclusions
• Chapter 5 - In Sickness and in Health: When One Partner Has a Serious Illness
• The Importance of Spousal Support in the Context of Illness
• Interdependence of Emotional Reactions and Coping
• Interdependence of Coping
• The Importance of Open Communication
• A Difficult Challenge: Maintaining Equity
• The Spouse Can be a Source of Stress
• Overprotectiveness
• Spousal Support as an Impediment to Recovery
• Conclusions
• Chapter 6 - Social Support Therapy with Couples
• Social Support is Important
• Understand and Respect Differences
• Other People Can Provide Support Too
• Clear Communication is Important
• Use Support Skills During Arguments
• Moments of Intimacy-Sharing Private Thoughts-Are Important
• Cope Together with Crisis or Tragedy
• When One Partner is Ill, Both Partners Need Support
• Conclusions
• Chapter 7 - Future Research Directions
• Conceptual Issues
• Social Support and the Developmental Course of Relationships
• Understanding Social Support Transactions
• Intervention Studies
• Conclusions
• References
• Index
• About the Author