Practice question · Multiple choice
One friend says "call me if you need anything." Another turns up on Tuesday with soup. Research says the first can matter more for health. Why?
Hints
- Count who benefits from the offer: everyone who has it, including everyone who never calls.
- Ask what receiving help on a bad week also signals, that you were having a bad week.
Show the answer
D. Because perceived support predicts outcomes better than received
Why
The belief is the buffer. Knowing help exists changes how threatening a stressor looks before it lands, and it protects the many weeks you never call. Received support is measured at the worst moments, which is part of why it looks weaker on paper.
Practise Social Support
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