SOCIAL SUPPORT, LIFE-STYLE INCONGRUITY, AND ARTERIAL BLOOD-PRESSURE IN A SOUTHERN BLACK-COMMUNITY

Social support is generally thought to modify or "buffer" the impact of stressful events and circumstances on health. There has been little exploration of how the definition and effect of support is modified by culture. In this paper, the role of social support in moderating the effect of a social stressor on arterial blood pressure is examined in a southern black community. Traditionally, support was available mainly within the extended family in African-American culture. In the aftermath of social change, however, younger black people often find their experiences to be more consonant with their peers. It was hypothesized that kin support would moderate the effect of status incongruence on blood pressure for older persons, while nonkin support would moderate the effect for younger persons. This hypothesis was confirmed in a community study. Future research on social support, therefore, must take into account cultural factors influencing the meaning of social support from different sources.