Examines whether the positive association between social support and well-being is attributable more to an overall beneficial effect of support (main- or direct-effect model) or to a process of support protecting persons from potentially adverse effects of stressful events (buffering model). The review of studies is organized according to (1) whether a measure assesses support structure (the existence of relationships) or function (the extent to which one's interpersonal relationships provide particular resources) and (2) the degree of specificity (vs globality) of the scale. Special attention is given to methodological characteristics that are requisite for a fair comparison of the models. It is concluded that there is evidence consistent with both models. Evidence for the buffering model is found when the social support measure assesses the perceived availability of interpersonal resources that are responsive to the needs elicited by stressful events. Evidence for a main effect model is found when the support measure assesses a person's degree of integration in a large social network. Both conceptualizations of social support are correct in some respects, but each represents a different process through which social support may affect well-being. Implications for theories of social support processes and for the design of preventive interventions are discussed.

: A study has sought to identify the relative contribution or weighting of specified classes of exchanged behavioral events and quality of experience outside of one's relationship believed to be of importance conceptually to the reported satisfaction provided by a dyadic relationship. While previous studies have relied essentially upon retrospective reporting, the investigation utilizes partners' observations of exchanged pleasurable and unpleasurable events as well as daily ratings of quality of outside experience. The study also has sought to illuminate reciprocity between dyadic exchange of pleasant and unpleasant events or consequences. (Author)