Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5040543 | Biological Psychology | 2017 | 9 Pages |
â¢Overprotective social support may undermine active stress-coping.â¢Overprotection did not buffer CVR during support reception.â¢Stopping overprotection induced increased cardiovascular and subjective stress.â¢Social support stress-buffering research can benefit from Self-Determination theory.â¢Autonomy support is recommended when delivering no support is no option.
ObjectiveSelf-determination theory suggests that autonomy-enhancing social support helps individuals to perceive stressors as challenging rather than stressing. Overprotective support may reduce stress in the short-run but undermines autonomy, thus hampering stress-coping in the long run, particularly when social support is terminated.MethodHeartrate, blood-pressure and ratings were examined in NÂ =Â 44 undergraduate students receiving autonomy support (calculation steps) or overprotection (solutions) from a close friend or no support for solving arithmetic tasks as well as during a subsequent stress-challenge (solving arithmetic tasks alone).ResultsOverprotection resulted in increased heartrate, diastolic blood-pressure, stress ratings, and decreased subjective control during stress-challenge. Autonomy support did not lead to unfavorable stress responding.ConclusionThe current findings are in line with assumptions derived from self-determination theory and indicate that autonomy support can help to prevent stress. Overprotection does not buffer stress and is associated with increased stress when discontinued.