Introduction to Psychology 10th Edition by Rod Plotnik,Haig Kouyoumdjian

Exercise 11

The Positive Benefits of Social Support
In the small town of Roseto, Pennsylvania, people were relatively obese and ate a lot of animal fat. They smoked as much and exercised as little as residents of other neighboring towns. Despite the citizens' awful diet and lifestyle, however, they had lower rates for heart attacks, ulcers, and emotional problems than people in the rest of the United States and their neighboring towns. This puzzling question-Why do the citizens of Roseto enjoy such good physical and mental health in the face of obvious risk factors?-was answered by a study of the town's social order. "One striking feature did set Roseto apart from its neighbors," says Stewart Wolf, vice president for medical affairs at St. Luke's Hospital in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and a principal investigator of the Roseto phenomenon. "We found that family relationships were extremely close and mutually supportive, and this wonderful social support system extended to neighbors and to the community as a whole" (J. Greenberg, 1978, p. 378). But the story of Roseto does not have a happy ending. As the families of Roseto prospered, they moved into larger homes in the countryside, and their social support system began to break down. Families no longer had helpful friends for neighbors, which meant fewer get-togethers and far less social support. One of the most interesting and deadly findings was that with the breakdown in social support came an increase in heart attacks. This study on families in Roseto was one of the first to suggest that dealing with stress and overcoming health risks were in large part aided by one's social support. Social support refers to having a network of family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and others who provide strong social attachments and with whom you can exchange helpful resources. Forty years ago (the time of the Roseto study), no one would have thought that lack of social support was a major factor that contributed to becoming ill and developing psychosomatic symptoms. Thanks to many years of research, today we know that social support decreases the effects of stressful experiences. A strong social support system is such a good predictor of physical health that it is even associated with a longer life span. Not only has our understanding of the importance of social support moved forward, but so has our ability to provide and receive social support. In today's society, providing and receiving social support are easier than ever. Even introverted or shy people can find social support by accessing the Internet and participating in virtual support groups, which have been found to be effective in helping people cope with stress associated with psychosocial and medical problems. Sometimes life presents us with stressors that are so great that no matter how strong our individual coping strategies are, they will not be enough to help us effectively cope. It is during these times that we gain a true appreciation for our friends, family, and others in our social circle.
Question
What type of coping is facilitated by joining support groups?