How Do You Spell SOCIAL SUPPORT?
Pronunciation: [sˈə͡ʊʃə͡l səpˈɔːt] (IPA) 
Pronunciation: [sˈə͡ʊʃə͡l səpˈɔːt] (IPA)
Social support refers to different types of assistance, comfort, and guidance that individuals receive from their social networks, such as family, friends, peers, and community. It encompasses emotional, instrumental, informational, and appraisal support, which collectively contribute to an individual's overall well-being and sense of belonging.
Emotional support involves providing empathy, understanding, and encouragement to someone facing stressful situations or difficult emotions. It entails empathetic listening, offering comfort, and expressing concern and care.
Instrumental support refers to concrete and practical forms of assistance given to someone in need. It may include tangible resources, such as financial aid, transportation, or helping with household chores or childcare.
Informational support provides advice, suggestions, and guidance to help individuals navigate their circumstances and make informed decisions. It can involve offering relevant knowledge, sharing information, or directing someone to appropriate resources.
Appraisal support entails offering objective feedback, evaluation, and encouragement. It involves providing constructive criticism, positive reinforcement, or helping someone gain a better perspective on their abilities, achievements, and challenges.
Social support plays a crucial role in individuals' mental and physical well-being. It can enhance self-esteem, reduce stress, improve coping mechanisms, and foster resilience. Through strengthened social connections, it also promotes a sense of belonging, increases social integration, and reduces feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Overall, social support is a multifaceted construct that encompasses various types of assistance and care from social networks, emphasizing the collective importance of supportive relationships for individuals' overall functioning and quality of life.
The word "social support" has its origins in the combination of two terms:
1. Social: It comes from the Latin word "socius" meaning "companion" or "associate". The term "social" refers to interactions, relationships, or activities within a community or society.
2. Support: It originates from the Latin word "supportare" which means "to carry, to bear". The term "support" refers to assistance, help, or acts of holding up or maintaining.
Combining these two terms, "social support" refers to the help, assistance, or comfort provided by others within a social network or community. It refers to the emotional, informational, and practical support individuals receive from their social interactions and relationships.
