Social support can be defined as an emotional exchange between individuals that provides comfort and reinforcement for one another's well-being. This type of exchange is often seen within families, friendships, and romantic partnerships. In regards to relationships, it has been shown that people who feel supported by their partner are more likely to experience greater levels of relationship satisfaction than those who do not.
Research has also suggested that this may not always hold true if operational stress is present.
Operational stress refers to the day-to-day challenges faced by couples such as work-related pressures, financial difficulties, family conflicts, and health problems. When these stressors accumulate over time, they can have negative effects on romantic relationships including decreased communication, increased conflict, and reduced emotional closeness. One study found that when couples experienced high levels of operational stress together, both male and female participants reported lower levels of relationship satisfaction compared to those experiencing low levels of operational stress.
Social support appears to play a critical role in mediating the effects of operational stress on relationship satisfaction. Specifically, individuals who felt more socially supported from their partner were less affected by operational stress in terms of its impact on relationship satisfaction.
Couples who received additional social support from friends or family members during times of operational stress showed greater levels of relationship satisfaction than those who did not receive any social support.
Couples who provided each other with social support during periods of operational stress also experienced greater levels of relationship satisfaction compared to those who did not provide any social support to each other.
The positive influence of social support extends beyond just providing comfort during difficult times. It has also been linked to improved communication patterns within relationships. Couples who provide each other with social support tend to engage in more open and honest conversations about their feelings, thoughts, and concerns. This type of communication can lead to greater understanding between partners and ultimately contribute to higher levels of relationship satisfaction.
Social support plays an important role in mitigating the negative effects of operational stress on romantic satisfaction. By providing emotional support to one another, partners are better able to weather life's challenges and maintain strong and satisfying relationships. Therefore, it is crucial for individuals to cultivate meaningful relationships outside of their primary romantic partnership so that they have access to social support when needed.
Couples should strive to communicate effectively and share their feelings and concerns with each other to foster a sense of closeness and intimacy.
How does social support mediate the effects of operational stress on romantic satisfaction?
Social support has been shown to be an important predictor of overall wellbeing and can serve as a buffer against negative psychological outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and stress. When it comes to the effect of operational stress on romantic satisfaction, research suggests that those who receive more social support are better able to cope with and manage their stress levels, which in turn can lead to greater relationship satisfaction (e. g. , Haugen et al. , 2019).