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Same-sex social support and the enhancement of well-being

University of British Columbia

The investigator tested propositions derived from theories of male (Lipman-Blumen, 1976) and female (Bernard, 1976) same-sex bonding against propositions derived from theories of male (Bell, 1981; Safilios-Rothschild, 1981) and female (Bell, 1981; Lipman-Blumen, 1976) cross-sex bonding and, against propositions derived from a general theory of social relationships (Weiss, 1974). The purpose of the study was to determine the relevance of the variables, "sex of respondent" and "relationship gender composition" to the attainment of social support and to the relationship between social support and global well-being. The study was divided into three parts. In part one the investigator tested opposing propositions related to differences between the sexes in the overall level of social support provided by same-sex and cross-sex bonds. Lipman-Blumen (1976) has proposed that, in the overall attainment of social support, men's same-sex bonds are stronger than women's same-sex bonds; that men's same-sex bonds are stronger than men's cross-sex bonds; and that women's cross-sex bonds are stronger than women's same-sex bonds. Conversely, Safilios-Rothschild (1981) has suggested that men's same-sex bonds are weaker than women's same-sex bonds; that men's same-sex bonds are weaker than men's cross-sex bonds; and that women's cross-sex bonds are weaker than women's same-sex bonds. In part two, the investigator tested opposing propositions related to differences in the individual dimensions or provisions of social support provided by men's and women's same-sex and cross-sex bonds. Theorists emphasizing same-sex bonds have suggested that women's (Bernard, 1976) or men's (Lipman-Blumen, 1976) same-sex bonds provide higher levels of certain dimensions of social support than do women's or men's cross-sex bonds. Conversely, cross-sex bonding theorists have suggested that women's (Bell, 1981, Lipman-Blumen, 1976) or men's (Bell, 1981, Safilios-Rothschild, 1981) cross-sex bonds provide higher levels of certain dimensions of social support than do women's or men's same-sex bonds. In contrast to both the same-sex and cross-sex bonding theorists, Weiss (1974) has implied that women's and men's same-sex and cross-sex bonds provide equivalent levels of specific dimensions of social support. In part three, the investigator tested opposing propositions related to differences between the sexes in the relationship between the overall attainment of social support to their sense of global well-being. Bernard (1976) and Miller (1976) have proposed that this relationship is stronger for women than it is for men. Conversely, Weiss (1974) has implied that the relationship between social support and well-being is the same for men and women. The investigator also tested opposing propositions related to within sex differences in the relationship between the overall attainment of social support and global wellrbeing. Bernard (1976) and Miller (1976) have proposed that women's same-sex bonds are more strongly related to their sense of well-being than are women's cross-sex bonds. Conversely, Lipman-Blumen (1976) has suggested that women's cross-sex bonds are more strongly related to their sense of well-being than are women's same-sex bonds. Lipman-Blumen (1976) has also proposed that men's same-sex bonds are more strongly related to their sense of well-being than are men's cross-sex bonds. Conversely, Safilios-Rothschild (1981) has suggested that men's cross-sex bonds are more strongly related to their sense of well-being than are men's same-sex bonds. In contrast to the same-sex and cross-sex bonding theorists, Weiss (1974) has implied that men's and women's same-sex and cross-sex bonds are equally associated with their sense of well-being. The investigator tested these propositions by having 101 married women and 101 married men, who attended the University of British Columbia summer school session, fill out a series of questionnaires on social support and well-being. All subjects were between the ages of 25 and 45. None of the subjects were married to one another. Respondents completed the Social Provisions Scale (Russell & Cutrona, 198*) designed to assess Weiss's (1974) six dimensions or provisions of social support. These provisions are: attachment, social integration, reassurance of worth, reliable alliance, help and guidance, and, the opportunity for nurturance. The respondents completed the Social Provisions Scale twice, once for their same-sex relationships and once for their cross-sex (non-marital) relationships. Respondents also completed six measures of well-being: the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1969); the Spheres of Control Scale—personal efficacy and interpersonal control dimensions (Paulhus 6c Christie, 1981); the Satisfaction With Life Scale (Diener, 1984); the UCLA Loneliness Scale—Revised-Abbreviated Version (Russell, 1980); and, the Hakstian-McClean Depression Scale (Hakstian & McClean, 1979). The six measures of well-being were statistically combined, forming a molar variable identified as "global well-being". Concerning the attainment of social support, the results of this study indicate that, overall, women's same-sex bonds provide higher levels of social support than do men's same-sex bonds. Women's same-sex bonds also provide higher levels of social support than do women's cross-sex bonds. Men's same-sex and cross-sex bonds appear to provide equivalent levels of social support, overall. These results indicate partial support for propositions arising from Safilios-Rothschild's (1981) theory and fail to support propositions arising from Lipman-Blumen's (1976) theory. In addition, the women's same-sex bonds provide higher levels of several provisions of social support than do women's cross-sex bonds, which supports Bernard's (1976) theory. Men's same-sex bonds provide higher levels of two dimensions of social support than do men's cross-sex bonds, which indicates only partial support for propositions arising from Lipman-Blumen's (1976) and Weiss's (1974) theories. Concerning the relationship between social support and global well-being, the results of this study indicate that social support appears to be equally related to men's and women's sense of global well-being, supporting propositions implied by Weiss's (1974) theory. Moreover, both same-sex and cross-sex bonds appear to be strongly, but equally associated with men's and women's sense of well-being which again supports propositions implied by Weiss's (1974) theory. In conclusion, the variables of "sex of respondent" and "relationship gender composition" appear to be more relevant in the attainment of social support than in the relationship between social support and well-being. The impact of these results on Weiss's (1974) theory of social relationships, on Bernard's (1976) and Lipman-Blumen's (1976) theories of same-sex bonding, on theories of social support, and on theories of adult development are discussed. The practical implications of these results for counsellors and for future research investigations are outlined.

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2010-08-23

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/27673

Counselling Psychology

University of British Columbia

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