Dunleavy 1
The Social Support Theory
Kelley Dunleavy
Debbie Harmon
ENG 112
Craven Community College
5/3/2018
Evaluation of the Social Support Theory
The social support theory has been of great significance in the research regarding the role
of social relationships in promoting the overall welfare of individuals. This concept explains
about people’s perceptions of assistance and care from others that make them feel attached to a
particular social group. Evidence shows that social support is an essential element that enhances
healthcare treatments and moderates the adversity of various mental conditions including
depression. It also reduces the mortality rates of patients suffering from chronic illnesses such as
cancer by prolonging their lifetimes.
Social support can take four major forms including emotional, instrumental,
informational, and appraisal support. The theory has various applications in areas of healthcare,
drug abuse, and other social contexts that enhance the quality of life of people. However, further
research is necessary to determine the measures and applicability of the theory in different social
situations. The findings can help professionals to promote social interactions as an effective
strategy for minimizing the impacts of certain conditions and enhancing the social lives of
people.
Dunleavy 2
Feeney
In this article, the author explains the important health benefits of social support, as well
as the functions of close social relationships in helping individuals thrive. The research also
identifies the mediators in relational support and their long-term effects on thriving through
relationships.
Kong
The authors of the article argue that social support has significant positive effects on
accelerating recovery from various health conditions including surgery and depression. The
study also found that social support moderates the impacts of mental distress on the physical and
mental health of an individual.
Pierce
The book is about the role of social support in the well-being of people. It explains the
different forms of social support and how they impact individuals differently.
Thoits
The author of this article explains that social relationships and social support play a
fundamental role in the physical and mental well-being of people. He introduces emotional
sustenance and active coping assistance as the two broad types of support. He explains the
different emotional coping behaviors and the way they help in alleviating the impacts of
psychological and physical stressors
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Mustafa
The study explains how online support groups help patients minimize the effects of
various kinds of illnesses. In particular, the study demonstrates how Facebook provides an
avenue for people to provide social support to each other. It also integrates other studies to show
the effectiveness of social support in promoting the effectiveness of therapies.
SOCIAL SUPPORT THEORY: AN EXPLANATION
Individuals with stronger social identity with a certain group tend to perceive greater
social support from the group. Social support has been the focus of research in the literature
since the mid-1970’s resulting in various discoveries. Most of the previous studies were
