Work

Partner’s Perceived Social Support Influences Their Spouse’s Inflammation: An Actor–Partner Analysis

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: Social support has been linked to lower cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, most studies have examined perceived support as an intrapersonal construct. A dyadic approach to social support highlights how interdependence between individuals within relationships, including partner perceptions and interactions, can influence one's health. This study's overall purpose was to test actor-partner models linking perceived social support to inflammation. Ninety-four cisgender married couples completed perceived support measures and had their blood drawn for CRP and IL-6 to produce an overall inflammatory index. The primary results indicate that only a partner's level of perceived support was related to lower inflammation in their spouse. Our sample size, although moderate for inflammatory studies, was probably not large enough to detect actor influences. These data highlight the importance of taking a dyadic perspective on modeling perceived support and its potential mechanism.

Source: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19020799

Authors: Joshua D. Landvatter, Bert N. Uchino, Timothy W. Smith, Jos A. Bosch

Institution: University of Utah

Language: English

Topic: Attachment and Relationship Dynamics

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,618