The mobilization of social supports: Some individual constraints

The effects of two dispositional variables, locus of control and help-seeking beliefs, as well as sociodemographic variables, on the mobilization of social supports were examined in this study. With a sample of 308 women users of a neighborhood health center, information was gathered regarding social support contacts following stressful events occurring within the previous year. Results confirmed the importance of the two dispositional variables, with internal locus of control and positive beliefs in the benefits of help-seeking each being associated with more support mobilization, independent of the number of potential supporters available. In addition, the educational level of the respondents showed a direct, positive relationship to support mobilization. Tests for interactions revealed several interactions between sociodemographic variables and the dispositional variables or potential support. These interactions generally showed that the dispositional variables and levels of potential support had a greater impact on support mobilization for persons with higher educational achievement, higher incomes, or coming from English-speaking (vs. Spanish-speaking) backgrounds. Results are discussed in relation to current research on social support and differential vulnerability of individuals to the effects of stress.