This essay examines the role of social media in providing psychological support during times of grief and loss. The analysis explores the distinction between perceived and received social support, demonstrating how digital platforms can buffer initial stress while close relationships provide long-term resilience. Through personal reflection and academic research, the paper illustrates effective strategies for building psychological resilience using both online and offline social networks.
Social support is a great help in promoting psychological resilience (Cohen & Wills, 1985; Helgeson & Lopez, 2010). I can attest to this from my own experience. Resilience is quite simply the ability to bounce back from adversity. A lot of things can impact it one way or the other; resiliency training, for example, or personal qualities that one develops like spirituality or optimism (Kent & Davis, 2010; Meichenbaum, 1985). For me, I find a great deal of support from having good strong social connections. They help me to generate positive emotions even when I am dealing with something difficult.
One way I would apply what I have learned from the materials is to really focus on training myself to be resilient and to use the resilience tool-kit. Learning to regulate emotions, not let them determine who I am but teaching myself to determine what emotions I allow to give expression to. Being mindful about choices I make and problem-solving are other good ways (Kent & Davis, 2010).
Another thing I have found is that knowing the difference between perceived support (belief in available help) and received support (actual assistance) is really beneficial too. Perceived support has a more immediate role in buffering the initial impact of stress (Prati & Pietrantoni, 2010). Received support helps you get through the long-haul.
A personal example is that I lost a good friend who died. The initial shock was overwhelming, but I received great support from friends and family, even when I didn\\\\\\\'t explicitly ask for help. There was this sense of connection and reassurance. Social media also helped me feel less isolated—but ultimately it was the close friendships that helped me the most.
To enhance my resilience based on these materials, I would work to develop deeper, more meaningful relationships with a smaller circle of trusted individuals. When facing challenges, I would proactively reach out to my support network. I would use social media as a buffer, a kind of perceived help—but not something for the long-haul.
Cohen, S., & Wills, T. A. (1985). Stress, social support, and the buffering hypothesis.
Psychological Bulletin, 98(2), 310–357.
You’re 80% through this paper. Sign up to read the full paper.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.