Abstract
Social support is the actual or perceived availability of social resources that can be used for comfort or aid, particularly in times of stress. Social support is provided by one's social network, which is all the people with whom one has some regular social contact. Most social networks include family, friends, and coworkers. Not all social networks are supportive, but those that are supportive tend to bolster the health and well-being of the recipients of the support. Social support appears to enhance individuals' physical and psychological health directly and indirectly by reducing the negative effects of stressors on health.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Encyclopedia of Human Behavior |
| Subtitle of host publication | Second Edition |
| Publisher | Elsevier Inc. |
| Pages | 493-496 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9780123750006 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780080961804 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2012 |
Keywords
- Invisible support
- Isolation
- Mental health
- Social integration
- Social network
- Social support
- Stress
- Stress buffering
- Support functions
- Support structures
