Stress-Moderating Effects

Using multiple regression, the main and interactive effects of stress, social support, locus of control, and gender on psychological adjustment were investigated. In order to understand the complex interactions found, the adjustment effects of stress and social support were examined within four subgroups: internal and external men and women college students. Both social support and adjustment were assessed with multiple measures. Stress was more strongly related to levels of adjustment for women than for men. The relationships between social support and adjustment varied depending on which social support measure was used, which adjustment measure was used, as well as the locus of control orientation and gender of the subject. External men were the least able to use social support to aid adjustment. In contrast to previous investigations, there were no two-way stress X locus of control interactions. The importance of investigating the interactions of stress-moderating variables in specific subgroups is discussed.