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Communicating social support
Book Reviews
297
the learning model and the bibliography should serve as useful resources for examining the issue of intercultural learning in general. The overall impression obtained by the reading of this book is one of regret at its brevity (103 pages). The book is very ambitious in its theoretical scope and range of applicability. However, not all the issues raised receive the same careful consideration. The reader is left with unanswered questions regarding the broader applicability and subsequent implementation of the design. Niyekawa and Sikkema argue that their design has broad applicability anywhere in the educational system as well as for adults outside formal educational contexts. They also state that the design can be implemented with a modicum of faculty support and flexibility and commitment to the ultimate goal. These critical issues are treated too briefly in an appendix, which narrowly focuses on adapting the design to existing study abroad programs. Educators will find this clearly written book a helpful tool in curriculum development planning for an overseas study program. It can also serve as a useful teaching aid for educators who are currently being ,trained for cross-cultural education. This book has appeal beyond these two restricted audiences to a broader public-those individuals interested in understanding the process involved in coming to understand cross#cultural differences.
Anne Miller Department of Anthropology McMaster University Hamilton, Ontario
COMMUNICATING
SOCIAL
SUPPORT
Terrance L. Albrecht, Mara B. Adelman, and Associates Beverly Hills, CA: Sage, 1987, 317 pp., $28.00 (cloth)
Communicating Social Support makes a valuable contribution to the growing body of literature describing how human beings provide support for each other, particularly in times of stress (physical and psychological) and life transitions. In the first section, (“Theoretical and Methodological Foundations”), Albrecht and Adelman present a communication perspective of social support, after reviewing and integrating previous work in various fields (psychology, social work, sociology). While previous research has cen-
298
Book Reviews
tered primarily on the individual, these authors take a more interactional approach, focusing on the relational communication of individuals involved in providing and receiving social support. They suggest that the central communicative function of social support is to assist the individual in reducing uncertainty, thereby gaining a better sense of personal control. Specifically, they describe supportive communication as messages that provide perspective-shifts, offer tangible assistance and acceptance, and allow for ventilation. They then discuss methodological issues of design and measurement. Their review and suggestions are also applicable to other research areas in the communication field: the need for better conceptual and definitional clarity, stronger research designs (e.g., longitudinal studies) and better measurement (e.g., analyze actual communication behavior, rather than relying on self reports). The second section (“Contexts of Supportive Communication”) contains contributions of several authors and focuses on social support in specific contexts: in close personal relationships with family and friends, with acquaintances (weak ties), self-help groups and specialized contexts (organizational and immigrant adaptation). Especially interesting is the chapter on “weak ties,” in which the authors discuss social support in nonintimate relationships, that is, the roIe of acquaintances and professionals in providing social support. Y. Y. Kim’s chapter on ~‘Facilitating Immigrant Adaptation” is most pertinent to the field of intercultural communication. In this chapter she describeshow social support from both ethnic and host individuals can assist in the immigrant’s adaptation to the host culture. This is a very interesting and needed extension of the more traditional individual-centered approach in most research on sojourner adjustment. In the third and final section, (“Dilemmas, Appiications, and New Directions for Research”), AIbrecht and Adelman (and Adelman and Albrecht) present considerations for future research and also discuss potential negative outcomes of engaging in supportive communication, an issue that is rarely addressed in the literature. For the receiver of supportive communication there is the possible fear of rejection, learned helplessness, and the potentially high relational costs. For the provider of supportive communication, potential negative outcomes include the drainage of personal resources, social contagion effects, and uncertainty over causing possible relational conflicts. The strengths of the book are the authors’ comprehensive review of the literature in a variety of fields, and their cogent conceptual framework. While many edited books lack coherence, Albrecht and Adelman overcome this by presenting a strong framework in the first section and then providing a thorough summary and directions for future research in their conclusion.
Book
Reviews
299
I believe the authors also make a strong contribution to intercultural communication research. Scholars investigating cross-cultural interactions, adjustment, and effectiveness have recently called for a shift from an individual-centered to a more dynamic, communication-centered perspective. Communicating Social Support provides just such a conceptual framework, as well as methodological suggestions that are applicable for future investigations of intercultural adjustment and interaction. While the intent was not to review cultural perspectives on social support, I wish the authors had presented some information about the crosscultural aspects of this research. Are there models other than the Western notions of social support? What are contributions of non-western scholars to this area of research? The book is written in a clear and readable style (a glossary of terms and definitions in the second chapter is helpful for anyone not well-versed in the research) and should appeal to a wide audience of readers. It is a useful resource for scholars conducting research in social support; it could also be used as a text for upper level undergraduate or graduate students. Finally, it should be appealing to anyone interested in learning more about how we support each other through our communication in a variety of contexts. Judith N. Martin University of Minnesota Minneapolis, Minnesota
297
the learning model and the bibliography should serve as useful resources for examining the issue of intercultural learning in general. The overall impression obtained by the reading of this book is one of regret at its brevity (103 pages). The book is very ambitious in its theoretical scope and range of applicability. However, not all the issues raised receive the same careful consideration. The reader is left with unanswered questions regarding the broader applicability and subsequent implementation of the design. Niyekawa and Sikkema argue that their design has broad applicability anywhere in the educational system as well as for adults outside formal educational contexts. They also state that the design can be implemented with a modicum of faculty support and flexibility and commitment to the ultimate goal. These critical issues are treated too briefly in an appendix, which narrowly focuses on adapting the design to existing study abroad programs. Educators will find this clearly written book a helpful tool in curriculum development planning for an overseas study program. It can also serve as a useful teaching aid for educators who are currently being ,trained for cross-cultural education. This book has appeal beyond these two restricted audiences to a broader public-those individuals interested in understanding the process involved in coming to understand cross#cultural differences.
Anne Miller Department of Anthropology McMaster University Hamilton, Ontario
COMMUNICATING
SOCIAL
SUPPORT
Terrance L. Albrecht, Mara B. Adelman, and Associates Beverly Hills, CA: Sage, 1987, 317 pp., $28.00 (cloth)
Communicating Social Support makes a valuable contribution to the growing body of literature describing how human beings provide support for each other, particularly in times of stress (physical and psychological) and life transitions. In the first section, (“Theoretical and Methodological Foundations”), Albrecht and Adelman present a communication perspective of social support, after reviewing and integrating previous work in various fields (psychology, social work, sociology). While previous research has cen-
298
Book Reviews
tered primarily on the individual, these authors take a more interactional approach, focusing on the relational communication of individuals involved in providing and receiving social support. They suggest that the central communicative function of social support is to assist the individual in reducing uncertainty, thereby gaining a better sense of personal control. Specifically, they describe supportive communication as messages that provide perspective-shifts, offer tangible assistance and acceptance, and allow for ventilation. They then discuss methodological issues of design and measurement. Their review and suggestions are also applicable to other research areas in the communication field: the need for better conceptual and definitional clarity, stronger research designs (e.g., longitudinal studies) and better measurement (e.g., analyze actual communication behavior, rather than relying on self reports). The second section (“Contexts of Supportive Communication”) contains contributions of several authors and focuses on social support in specific contexts: in close personal relationships with family and friends, with acquaintances (weak ties), self-help groups and specialized contexts (organizational and immigrant adaptation). Especially interesting is the chapter on “weak ties,” in which the authors discuss social support in nonintimate relationships, that is, the roIe of acquaintances and professionals in providing social support. Y. Y. Kim’s chapter on ~‘Facilitating Immigrant Adaptation” is most pertinent to the field of intercultural communication. In this chapter she describeshow social support from both ethnic and host individuals can assist in the immigrant’s adaptation to the host culture. This is a very interesting and needed extension of the more traditional individual-centered approach in most research on sojourner adjustment. In the third and final section, (“Dilemmas, Appiications, and New Directions for Research”), AIbrecht and Adelman (and Adelman and Albrecht) present considerations for future research and also discuss potential negative outcomes of engaging in supportive communication, an issue that is rarely addressed in the literature. For the receiver of supportive communication there is the possible fear of rejection, learned helplessness, and the potentially high relational costs. For the provider of supportive communication, potential negative outcomes include the drainage of personal resources, social contagion effects, and uncertainty over causing possible relational conflicts. The strengths of the book are the authors’ comprehensive review of the literature in a variety of fields, and their cogent conceptual framework. While many edited books lack coherence, Albrecht and Adelman overcome this by presenting a strong framework in the first section and then providing a thorough summary and directions for future research in their conclusion.
Book
Reviews
299
I believe the authors also make a strong contribution to intercultural communication research. Scholars investigating cross-cultural interactions, adjustment, and effectiveness have recently called for a shift from an individual-centered to a more dynamic, communication-centered perspective. Communicating Social Support provides just such a conceptual framework, as well as methodological suggestions that are applicable for future investigations of intercultural adjustment and interaction. While the intent was not to review cultural perspectives on social support, I wish the authors had presented some information about the crosscultural aspects of this research. Are there models other than the Western notions of social support? What are contributions of non-western scholars to this area of research? The book is written in a clear and readable style (a glossary of terms and definitions in the second chapter is helpful for anyone not well-versed in the research) and should appeal to a wide audience of readers. It is a useful resource for scholars conducting research in social support; it could also be used as a text for upper level undergraduate or graduate students. Finally, it should be appealing to anyone interested in learning more about how we support each other through our communication in a variety of contexts. Judith N. Martin University of Minnesota Minneapolis, Minnesota