An evaluation of the impact of social support manipulations on cardiovascular reactivity to laboratory stressors.

Research findings have suggested that social support decreases cardiovascular reactivity and reduces the incidence of cardiovascular disease. The authors describe 2 studies evaluating the association between social support and cardiovascular reactivity to a stressor. In both studies, it was predicted that the presence of a supportive person would exert a buffering effect on cardiovascular reactivity. In Study 1, 68 participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 conditions: alone, supportive, and nonsupportive. In Study 2, 60 participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 conditions: highly supportive, supportive, and nonsupportive. In both studies, a speech was the stressor. Results in both studies showed no significant differences in cardiovascular reactivity between supportive and nonsupportive conditions. The results failed to support the reactivity buffering effects of social support. Findings are explained in terms of evaluation apprehension theory, familiarity of support provider, and level of social support.