The Relationship between Social Support, Stress, and Health among Women on Detroit’s East Side

Abstract

A conceptual model of the stress process has been useful in examining relationships between numerous social determinants (e.g., chronic stress), protective factors (e.g., social support), and health status. In this article, the authors examine multiple sources of chronic stress, instrumental and emotional support, and health outcomes among a random sample ( N = 679) of predominantly low-income African American women who reside on Detroit’s east side. The findings suggest that a number of chronic stressors have an impact on depressive symptoms and general health and that even though instrumental and emotional support each have a significant effect over and above the effects of the stressors, when both are included in the model, instrumental support, and not emotional support, remains as a significant predictor of health outcomes. These findings suggest the need for health education interventions and policy strategies that strengthen social support and aim at macro-level changes necessary to reduce chronic stressful conditions.