title: The more the better? The relationship between mismatches in social support and subjective well-being in daily life.
abstract: In this study, we examined the relationship between discrepancies between desired and received support and subjective well-being, as indicated by negative affect and perceived stress, in daily life. Participants were 30 undergraduates who were equipped with hand-held computers for seven days. Results showed that underprovision of support predicted lower well-being, whereas overprovision was related to higher well-being, suggesting a linear relationship. Emotional support proved to be more influential than practical and informational support. In contrast to previous research, perceived social support turned out to be unrelated to well-being in daily life.
authors.affiliation: University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany. siewert@uni-greifswald.de
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Siewert
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Antoniw
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kubiak
authors.forename: Hannelore
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Weber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult