Social Support: The Search for Theory

Social support research has suffered from a constricted range of methodological approaches and poorly developed theory. A more theory-driven approach would not only be conceptually valuable, but would also provide impetus for the methodological improvements needed for empirical advances. The time has come for a diversity of approaches that ultimately can be integrated so as to reflect the complex phenomena currently being explored under the rubric of social support. This article discusses these points, reviews current concepts of social support, and illustrates a theoretical approach that emphasizes the individual's perceptions concerning support. According to this approach, perceiving the world as supportive makes exploration and reasonable risk taking more likely and, at the same time, reduces the likelihood of experiencing high levels of anxiety and self-preoccupation.