Dan, a 60-year-old, feels lonely and finds it distressing to do even the most mundane of things. Compounding his problem is the fact that his children have grown up, moved out, and have lives of their own. He has recently started socializing with his neighbors and also begun sharing his emotional troubles. Which of the following best explains Dan's method of dealing with stress?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The buffering hypothesis suggests that social support can serve as a protective layer that helps individuals cope with stress. By socializing with his neighbors and sharing his emotional troubles, Dan is seeking social support to buffer against the stress of loneliness and life changes.

Dan, a 60-Year-Old, Feels Lonely and Finds It Distressing to Do