Social Support

The concept of social support continues to be at the center of sociological, psychological, and medical inquiry and debate because of its far-reaching and significant impact on health diagnosis and outcome across the life course. Perhaps the earliest empirical investigation into the effects of social factors on health can be tied to Émile Durkheim's controversial study of suicide rates, first published in 1897. Durkheim documented the suicide rates of social groups and argued that differences could be understood in terms of variations in the structure of an individual's social network. He employed simple measures of social integration, such as affiliation via marriage, parenthood, or religious involvement. Durkheim's study represents the first documented attempt at linking characteristics inherent in society to measurable health outcomes. Continuing this line of thinking, research has consistently shown that social support can considerably reduce morbidity and mortality. The positive effect of social support on health holds even after controlling for other key variables, such as physical health status, socioeconomic status, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and level of physical activity. Studies have also shown that social support has a positive effect on psychosocial stress and, more importantly, can buffer the impact of stress on health.

Theoretical and empirical studies examining the concept of social support abound, and it is beyond the scope of this discussion to cover all of the aspects of such a complex, multidisciplinary topic. Therefore, this discussion focuses on some of the complexities inherent in the study of social support and outline the significance of the concept for society in terms of its impact on individuals' well-being, quality of life, and health. Understanding the significance of social support in the context of social networking begins with a discussion of the social support concept and the central problems associated with its definition and measurement. Key findings have revealed which relationships provide what kinds of social support and under what circumstances. Some prominent theoretical approaches have examined the effect of social support on individuals' physical and mental health across the life course. There is an ongoing debate about the role digital technologies play in the provision of social support, which is a significant concept for society.