THE JAPANESE JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Online ISSN : 1348-6276
Print ISSN : 0387-7973
ISSN-L : 0387-7973
Effects of Interpersonal Relationships on Mental Health
From a Perspective of the Interpersonal Stress Arousal Process Model
TAKESHI HASHIMOTO
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JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

1997 Volume 37 Issue 1 Pages 50-64

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Abstract

In the last few years a considerable number of studies have been done on relationships between social support and mental health. Nevertheless, many studies have pointed out that interpersonal relationships may sometimes become serious stressors. The purpose of this paper is to propose an interpersonal stress arousal process model which makes it possible to interpret effects of both positive and negative interpersonal relationships on mental health. This model is based on Lazarus and Folkman's (1984) stress appraisal and coping theories. StudyI showed that: (1) Size of social network determines network strain. (2) Network strain causes interpersonal stress events. (3) Interpersonal stress events are the most influential factor of distress. StudyII examined social support and revealed that the effect of social support was less significant than that of negative sides of interpersonal relationships on distress, even though the relationships between social network and social support were soundly confirmed. These results indicate the validity of the interpersonal stress arousal process model. Finally, further issues and perspectives concerned with this model are discussed.

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© The Japanese Group Dynamics Association
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