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Stress-Buffering Effects of Social Support on Depressive Problems: Perceived vs. Received Support and Moderation by Parental Depression

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Abstract

Objectives

The impact of parental depressive problems on children’s depressive symptoms has been widely studied. The stress-buffering hypothesis states that social support acts as a protective factor between the impacts of stress from negative life events on physical and psychological health. The current study examined the stress-buffering hypothesis in terms of the relationship between parental depressive problems and emerging adult depressive problems.

Methods

Participants included 708 emerging adults who reported on their parents’ and their own depressive problems as measured by the Adult Behavior Checklist and Adult Self Report, respectively. Participants also reported their perceived social support using a modified version of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, received social support using the Inventory of Socially Supportive Behavior, and negative life events using the Risky Behavior and Stressful Events Scale.

Results

Neither perceived nor received social support significantly moderated the aforementioned relationship. When parental depressive problems were added to the model, the three-way interaction among received social support, perceived stress, and paternal depressive problems on male depressive problems was significant (b = 0.22).

Conclusions

Perceptions of available support may be more important than received support when buffering between stress and depression. Likewise, parental depression may have a stronger influence on emerging adult outcomes over and beyond negative life events. Other significant pathways and models were discussed.

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Author Contributions

ES designed and executed the study, performed the data analyses, and wrote the paper. CM assisted with the data analyses and collaborated in the writing and editing of the final manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA

    Erica Szkody & Cliff McKinney

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  1. Erica Szkody
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  2. Cliff McKinney
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Correspondence to Erica Szkody.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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All participants were treated according to APA ethical standards. IRB approval was received from Mississippi State University.

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Informed consent was obtained from every participant in the study in accordance with APA ethical standards.

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Szkody, E., McKinney, C. Stress-Buffering Effects of Social Support on Depressive Problems: Perceived vs. Received Support and Moderation by Parental Depression. J Child Fam Stud 28, 2209–2219 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-019-01437-1

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