Support in marriage: Factors associated with on-line perceptions of support helpfulness

Despite considerable research that has demonstrated the positive aspects of social support, little is known about the mechanisms that influence the ex perience of feeling supported. This study examined the association between proximal (e.g., support content) and distal (e.g., marital satisfaction) fa ctors and the experience of feeling supported by one's partner. Sixty-one m arried couples participated in an interactive support exercise using a talk -table. Coders were asked to provide on-line ratings of perceived support h elpfulness. The supportive interaction was coded using the Social Support B ehavior Code. Women were more influenced by immediate aspects of the suppor tive interaction, and men were more influenced by distal relationship facto rs. Esteem support was associated with higher ratings of support helpfulnes s. Gender may moderate the impact of proximal and distal factors on feeling supported during a couple's interaction.