A Relational Schema Approach to Social Support

Abstract

Examines cognitive processes but focuses specifically on cognitions about interpersonal dynamics, thus facilitating research into the link between interpersonal and intrapsychic factors. Drawing heavily from these sources and other research findings, the authors sketch a social-cognitive framework for interpreting perceived social support, and then apply it to some of the issues in the social support literature. Within this framework, they address questions of whether perceived social support is a global personality style or a differentiated set of expectations; whether it consists of positive or negative expectations; and whether it is a stable construct or should be expected to vary in meaningful ways. Topics include: relational cognition and the role of relational schemas in stress and coping. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2002 APA, all rights reserved)from the chapter