Final answer:
Expressive and instrumental support are forms of social support that are behavioral reactions to stress. Expressive support offers emotional validation, while instrumental support provides practical assistance. Emotional isolation is not a form of social support, as it reflects a lack of connection and aid.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering the behavioral reactions to stress, seeking social support is a key strategy that individuals use to cope with stress. There are several types of social support:
- Expressive support includes providing empathy, care, and concern, which helps stress sufferers feel understood and validated.
- Instrumental support involves practical help like financial assistance or helping with tasks, which can directly mitigate the sources of stress.
- Emotional isolation, however, is not a form of social support, but rather a lack of it, where an individual feels detached and without social or emotional connection to others.
The correct answer to the question "Seeking Social Support {5 behavioural reactions to stress} a) Expressive support b) Instrumental support c) Emotional isolation d) All of the above" would therefore be a) Expressive support and b) Instrumental support.
Research has shown that strong interpersonal relationships and support networks can provide comfort and aid in managing life's stressors, leading to better health and well-being (Baumeister & Leary, 1995; Baron & Kerr, 2003; Phillips, A. C., Gallagher, S., & Carroll, D., 2009). Social support can also boost the immune system, particularly in those who are experiencing stress (Uchino et al., 2012).