Social support

Social support is the perception and actuality that one is cared for, has assistance available from other people, and most popularly, that one is part of a supportive social network. These supportive resources can be emotional (e.g., nurturance), tangible (e.g., financial assistance), informational (e.g., advice), or companionship (e.g., sense of belonging) and are the function of supportive social relationships.

Types of Social Support

Social support can be categorized and measured in several different ways. There are four common functions of social support: emotional support (sometimes called affective support), tangible support, informational support, and companionship support.

Effects of Social Support

The presence of social support significantly predicts the individual's ability to cope with stress. Knowing that one is loved, cared for, and valued raises an individual's sense of self-worth and self-esteem. This contributes to a physically healthier constitution, a stronger immune system, and can even increase lifespan.

Social Support and Health

Social support has been found to promote psychological adjustment in conditions with chronic high stress like HIV, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, stroke, and coronary artery disease. It also enhances other protective factors such as self-esteem and self-efficacy.

Social Support and Mental Health

Social support has a strong protective effect on mental health. It can reduce the risk of mental health disorders, help people recover from mental illness, and help prevent relapse.

Social Support in Different Cultures

The importance and role of social support in different cultures can vary widely. For example, cultures that are more individualistic may place more importance on self-reliance, while collectivist cultures may emphasize the importance of a community or family network.

See Also

• Emotional support
• Tangible support
• Informational support
• Companionship support
• Mental health
• Chronic stress

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