support may be critical resources for a beneficial effect
(Collins et al. 1993, Atkin & Ahmad 2000).
The findings suggest that perceived social support has no
moderating or mediating effect in relation to parental coping.
Only the main effect of perceived social support in the
absence of a significant moderating effect (interaction of
family stress and perceived social support) on coping was
detected in this study.
However, an alternative interpretation highlighting the
stringent statistical criteria applied in this study by comparison
with previous research (e.g. Cohen & Wills 1985,
Quittner et al. 1990, Collins et al. 1993) potentially challenges
the literature and theoretical path-making in this area
of study. It is my contention that the observed causal paths
did not show the prerequisite levels for interpreting either
model as having an effect for perceived social support, given
the strict and specifying statistical analysis used. The models
tested in this study went beyond convention in establishing
criteria and predicted pathways, as inaccurate specification
and / or incomplete testing of moderating and mediating
effect may result in inappropriate conclusions.