Since we are social beings, the quality of our lives depends in large measure on our interpersonal relationships. One strength of the human condition is our tendency to give and receive support from one another under stressful circumstances. Social support consists of the exchange of resources among people based on their interpersonal ties. Those of us with strong support systems appear better able to cope with major life changes and daily hassles. People with strong social ties live longer and have better health than those without such ties. Studies over a range of illnesses, from depression to heart disease, reveal that the presence of social support helps people fend off illness, and the absence of such support makes poor health more likely.
既然我们是社会人,我们的生活质量在很大程度上取决于我们的人际关系。人类状况的一个优势是,在压力大的情况下,我们倾向于相互给予和接受支持。社会支持包括人与人之间基于人际关系的资源交换。我们这些有强大支持系统的人似乎能够更好地应对重大的生活变化和日常麻烦。有强大社会关系的人比没有这种关系的人活得更长,健康状况更好。对从抑郁症到心脏病等一系列疾病的研究表明,社会支持的存在有助于人们抵御疾病,而缺乏这种支持会使健康状况不佳的可能性更大。
Social support cushions stress in a number of ways. First, friends, relatives, and co-workers may let us know that they value us. Our self-respect is strengthened when we feel accepted by others despite our faults and difficulties. Second, other people often provide us with informational support. They help us to define and understand our problems and find solutions to them. Third, we typically find social companionship supportive. Engaging in leisure-time activities with others helps us to meet our social needs while at the same time distracting us from our worries and troubles. Finally, other people may give us instrumental support - financial aid, material resources, and needed services - that reduces stress by helping us resolve and cope with our problems.
社会支持在很多方面缓解了压力。首先,朋友、亲戚和同事可能会让我们知道他们重视我们。当我们感到被他人接受时,尽管我们有过错和困难,我们的自尊会得到加强。其次,其他人经常为我们提供信息支持。它们帮助我们定义和理解我们的问题,并找到解决方案。第三,我们通常会发现社交陪伴是一种支持。与他人一起参加休闲活动有助于我们满足社交需求,同时将我们的注意力从忧虑和烦恼中解脱出来。最后,其他人可能会给我们工具性的支持——财政援助、物质资源和所需的服务——帮助我们解决和应对问题来减轻压力。
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