Occupational Stress, Social Support, and the Buffer Hypothesis

The relationship between occupational stress, social support, and strain was investigated in a series of influential studies in the late 1970s and early 1980s. This continues to provide the most consistent support for the buffer hypothesis in the stress-strain literature. The authors argue that this support is more tenuous than it appears because these studies have theoretical and methodological limitations. When they are corrected, there is, at best, weak support for the buffer hypothesis in this as in other role domains. However, promising developments in the stress-strain model in other role domains can be incorporated into the occupational context.