RESEARCH
Effects of Social Networks on Health from a Stress Theoretical Perspective
Summary
This study explores how social networks influence health through stress management. Using a survey of Austrian university students, the research examines whether having larger and more supportive social networks helps individuals perceive stressful situations as less threatening, thereby reducing stress symptoms and improving overall health. Social networks were measured in terms of size (number of connections) and quality (how embedded and supported people feel within their social circles). The findings suggest that individuals with larger trust-based networks and higher perceived social embeddedness report fewer stress symptoms and better self-rated health. Importantly, the positive impact of social networks on health is mediated by how individuals evaluate the burden of stressful situations, rather than the intensity of the stress itself.
The study highlights that the quality of social relationships matters more than their quantity for managing stress and promoting health. People who feel socially embedded are better able to cope with challenges, perceiving them as less burdensome. However, the research found no evidence that larger networks or higher embeddedness change how intense a stressful situation feels. Instead, social support primarily helps individuals feel more capable of managing stress (secondary appraisal). While these findings support the idea that social relationships buffer stress-related health impacts, they are based on hypothetical scenarios and a student sample, so further research is needed to confirm their applicability to real-life situations and broader populations.
