Social support is one of the most studied social processes of the last several decades. Entering the term into medical or social science databases yields thousands of citations across dozens of fields of study. This widespread interest is likely due to the variety of important effects that have been associated with social support. Research has linked social support with a longer life, with reduced incidence of various diseases, with better recovery from illness, with improved coping with chronic illness, and with better mental health (for reviews, see Albrecht & Goldsmith, 2003; Berkman, 1985; Sarason, Sarason, & Gurung, 1997; Schwarzer & Leppin, 1989). Social support is also an expectation of personal relationships and predicts perceived interpersonal competence and reported satisfaction with friends, family, and romantic partners (e.g., Abbey et al., 1995; Buhrmeister, Furman, Wittenberg, & Reis, 1988; Cauce, 1986; Cutrona, 1996b; Pasch & Bradbury, 1998; Sprecher et al., 1995).

Through these effects on the individual and on relationships, support also plays a key role in the functioning of various social groups and the prevention or reduction of social problems. Social support can prevent work stress or at least help workers to cope more effectively (e.g., House, 1981; Ray, 1987; Viswesvaran, Sanchez, & Fisher, 1999). Social support can enable individuals to maintain hope and trust in communities wracked by violence (e.g., Berman, Kurtines, Silverman, & Serafini, 1996; Garbarino & Kostelny, 1997; Kliewer, Lepore, Oskin, & Johnson, 1998).