Further examination of the support quandary hypothesis: a weekly diary study of how uncertainty both motivates and challenges supporting close others with mental illness

Abstract

Abstract This study further examines a difficult experience for support providers in close relationships that we are calling the social support quandary hypothesis: Mental illness uncertainty simultaneously increases fear/anxiety and decreases supportive communication efficacy. In turn, fear/anxiety motivates support provision, but supportive communication efficacy is needed to provide support and for support to be of quality. Undergraduate students (N = 201) completed weekly online surveys. Broadly, findings at both within-person and between-person levels supported the mediating role of fear/anxiety and supportive communication efficacy in the relationship between mental illness uncertainty and quantity of emotional support provision and between mental illness uncertainty and social support quality. Information quality issues interacted with mental illness uncertainty at the within-person level, and the nature of the interactions differed by support outcome. We discuss this study’s theoretical and practical implications for understanding support provision in the context of chronic illnesses, such as mental illness.