Social Support

Because humans are relational beings, social support is an important element of individual and relationship health. Social support refers to how friends, romantic partners, and families respond to everyday opportunities to show positive caring behaviors toward each other in response to a variety of life situations that may arise. Many times, problems that occur are not relationship-specific, or in other words, arise from outside of the relationship. Social support within relationships plays an important role in helping individuals develop the resources to cope with adverse circumstances while also enhancing the relationship. In this manner, social support buffers individuals against the sometimes harmful effects of stress. When the support network is not readily available, it can be more difficult when problems arise, and individuals are left ...