Social Support Theories and Methodologies

During graduate school, I led survey-based studies that examined how parental socialization, gender roles, and family dynamics were associated with social support mechanisms through the application of social support theory (e.g., Szkody & McKinney, 2019; Szkody & McKinney, 2020). I examined the stress-buffering hypothesis, interpersonal theories of social support, the role of self-esteem and parenting practices on social support, and the additional buffering effect of stress appraisal on mental health outcomes. Check out some of our findings below:

Szkody, E. & McKinney, C. (2019). Stress-buffering effects of social support on depressive problems: Perceived vs. received social support and moderation by parental depressive problems. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 28, 2209-2219. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-019-01437-1

Perceptions of available support may be more important than received support when buffering between stress and depression

Szkody, E. & McKinney, C. (2019). Indirect effects of social support on psychological health through self-esteem in emerging adulthood. Journal of Family Issues, 40(17), 2439-2455. https://doi.org/0192513X19859612.

Interventions during emerging adulthood aimed at increasing perception of support from friends may directly and indirectly benefit females in college

Szkody, E. & McKinney, C. (2020). Parental depression and emerging adult psychological problems: Indirect Effects by parental social support and emerging adult engagement coping. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 42, 209-218.  https://doi.org/10.1080/01973533.2020.1737069.

Parents Continue to Play an Important Part is the Socialization of Engagement Coping Styles for Emerging Adults

Szkody, E. & McKinney, C. (2020). Appraisal and social support as moderators for stress. Stress and Health, 36(5).  https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.2957

Appraisal of Stress May Not Act As an Additional Buffer to Stress Above and Beyond Social Support

Szkody, E., Stearns, M., Stanhope, L.*, & McKinney, C. (2020). Stress-Buffering Role of Social Support for College Students during COVID-19. Journal of Family Process, 60, 1002-1015. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12618

Perceived and Received Support Differentially Buffered the Impact of Social Isolation During COVID-19

Szkody, E., Moussa-Rogers, M., & McKinney, C. (2022). Positive health benefits of social support: Examining racial and gender differences. Translational Issues in Psychological Science, 7(4), 419-434. https://doi.org/10.1037/tps0000252

Relationship qualities with parents and friends influence both psychological and physical health outcomes by providing social support.

Szkody, E., Steele, E., & McKinney, C. (2022). Race, stress, and social support: Racial and gender differences in perceived and received social support. Translational Issues in Psychological Science, 7(4), 435-450.  https://doi.org/10.1037/tps0000251

Identity intersectionality contributes to individual perception/reception of support based on type and source of support