in addition to certain characteristics of individuals, certain properties of situations can moderate or buffer the effects of a stressor. the buffering effect reduces the tendency of organizational properties to generate specific stressors, alter the perception and cognitions, or reduce the health-damaging consequences of such responses. the primary variable hypothesized to provide this buffering effect is social support.
Social support reduces the relationship between various job stressors and indicators of mental and physical health (anxiety, depression, and irritation). Social support dose not reduce the relationship between job stressors and boredom or job dissatisfaction.
Sutton proposed three other situational variables as potential buffers against stress: (1)