The role of social support in coping with stress: instrumental, emotional and esteem support
Social support from other people helps us cope with stress. It comes in three forms: practical help, emotional comfort, and reassurance about our own abilities.
Real World
When footballer Marcus Rashford campaigned against child food poverty, he cited his own community's emotional and esteem support as what sustained him — friends who affirmed his worth when he faced public criticism.
Exam Focus
Distinguish all three support types clearly in AO1; examiners penalise answers that conflate emotional and esteem support.
Evaluation Scaffold
A four-step framework for high-quality evaluation. Use this for 'assess', 'evaluate', and 'to what extent' questions.
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