Testing theoretical models of the relations between social support, coping, and adjustment to stressful life events

The purpose of this study was to test three theoretical models of the relations among social support and coping: that social support influences coping, that coping strategies elicit more or less support, and that neither coping nor support influence the other. The relations between support, coping, and adjustment also were assessed. Participants were renal transplant recipients and their significant others. Both social support (received and enacted) and coping (cognitive restructuring and social withdrawal) were assessed at 3 and 12 months posttransplant, and adjustment was assessed at 12 months posttransplant. Although correlational analyses supported all three models, structural equation modeling analyses only supported the hypothesis that coping and support do not influence each other. Received support and cognitive restructuring were associated with better adjustment, and social withdrawal was associated with poorer adjustment. Limitations and implications for future research are discussed.