The Stress-Buffering Effect of Social Support: A Mixed-Methods Study on Indian Students’ Coping Mechanisms and Support Preferences
Sujatha Sathiya1* , Karthik Rajan C. S.2, Divyesh A.3
Abstract
University life involves along with becoming an adult and experiencing psychological distress. While perceived social support (PSS) has been established as a protective factor related to stress, there is substantial variability in the strength and direction of the PSS-stress relationship. This mixed-methods study investigated the relationship between PSS and stress among Indian university students (N = 360), examining whether coping style and support delivery mode (digital, in-person, or hybrid) moderated this relationship. Quantitative data were collected using standardized tools, including the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and the DASS-21 Stress Subscale. Moderation analysis using Hayes’ PROCESS macro (Models 1 and 2) revealed that while PSS was not a statistically significant predictor of stress, students with adaptive coping styles and those who received support through hybrid formats (both in-person and digital) reported comparatively lower stress levels. Qualitative interviews with a sub-sample of 30 students further contextualized these findings, emphasizing the importance of emotional safety, cultural norms, and the perceived depth of support interactions. These results suggest that the effectiveness of social support is not universal but contingent upon individual coping tendencies and the method through which support is received. Universities should prioritize student-centered, culturally sensitive, and hybrid support systems that address both accessibility and emotional connection.
Keywords:
Student Stress, Digital Support, University Mental Health, Social Support
