Does Giving Support Moderate the Association Between Social Relationships and IL6?

This study aimed to examine whether perceived availability to give support to others moderates associations between social relationships and inflammation. The data from the longitudinal follow-up of the National Survey of Midlife Development in the U.S. (MIDUS 2) were used. Results showed that perceived availability to give support moderated the associations between IL-6 and indicators of positive social relationships, including social integration, perceived support from others, and positive relations with others. Indicators of positive social relationships were associated with lower IL-6 among individuals higher, but not lower, in perceived availability to give support. The moderating effects of giving support held after adjusting for socio-demographic and health-related covariates, except for the association between perceived support from others and IL-6.