Received and Provided Social Support: A Review of Current Evidence and Future Directions

Abstract

This review highlights some recent developments in the area of received and provided support, and particularly the effect of such support in promoting better health and well-being. Studies conducted in the past ten years suggest that receiving social support has mixed effects on physical and mental health in that the context of support receipt, provider motivation, reciprocity, and the appropriateness of a match between the nature of stressors and the kind of support provided all determine the outcome of support receipt and provision. The benefit of received support is also dependent upon the cultural context in which support provision and receipt occurs. The review concludes with directions for further research for a better understanding of the impact of received and provided support on health and well-being.