Among individuals who experience few stressors, social support has little affect on levels of psychological distress. However, when bad things happen, individuals with low levels of social support are at a much higher risk for psychological distress than people with high levels of social support. This kind of relationship is called a:

Question

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The described relationship is a buffering effect, where social support serves as a protective factor and helps individuals cope better with stressors. It is only effective in mitigating the negative effects of stressors, not in reducing distress in the absence of stressors.

Among Individuals Who Experience Few Stressors, Social Support Has Little