The mediating effects of situational control on social support and mood following a stressor: A prospective study of dementia caregivers in their natural environments

Objectives. The present study examined, prospectively and within the contex t of stress experienced in the natural environment, whether situational con trol served as a mediator between perceived social support and caregivers m ood. Methods. Data came from baseline assessments of individuals participating i n health promotion interventions for women caregivers. Participants were 49 female caregivers of dementia patients a ho monitored their own acute psyc hological states during the day. Results, Results revealed that although the occurrence of a situational str essor increased negative mood, greater perceived support reduced the detrim ental impact of a stressor on negative mood. Moreover, path analyses reveal ed that changes in situational control partially mediated the relationship between perceived support rind stress-induced negative mood changes. Howeve r changes in control did not serve as a mediator in analyses focused on hap piness. Discussion. Results suggest that caregivers with greater perceived support were less emotionally reactive to stress occurring in their natural environ ments because of, in part. sustained or increased situational control.