How Social Support Contributes to Psychological Health:
Why your besties can be the MVPs when it comes to mental health
Table of Contents
Why It’s Important Social Support vs. Integration
Types of Social Support Examples of Social Support
Health Benefits of Social Support Psychological Health
When you are having a tough day, sometime talking to a good friend is all takes to help turn things around.
Having someone to listen and give you the “you got this” pep talk can help you work through the struggles and feel more
empowered to deal with life’s curveballs. Study after study backs this up–when we feel connected and supported
we’re more resilient, less stressed, and just plain healthier.Psychological Health
Social support is often identified as a key component of solid relationships and strong psychological health,
but what exactly does it mean? Essentially, social support involves having a network of family and friends
you can turn to in of need.Psychological Health
Whether you are facing a personal crisis and need immediate assistance, or you just want to spend time with people
who care about you, these relationships Psychological Health play a critical role in how you function in your day-to-day life. Such connections
offer practical support (think showing up with a homemade meal when you’re felling sick), as well as good advice,
emotional validation, and a comforting shoulder to cry on.
Why Strong Social Support Is Important
Psychologists and other mental health professionals often talk about the importance of having a strong social support
network. When trying to reach our goals or deal with a crisis , experts frequently implore people to l lean 0n their friends
and family for support.Psychological Health
Research has also demonstrated the link between social relationships and many different aspects of health and wellness.
Poor social support has been linked to depression and loneliness and has been shown to aster brain function and increase
the risk of the following :
- Alcohol use
- Cardiovascular disease
- Depression
- Suicide
In one study of middle-aged men over a seven-year period, those with strong social and emotional support were less likely to die than those who lacked such relationships.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
for more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.
Social Support vs. Integration
So, which aspects of our social environments are so vital to health? And how exactly do our social environments impact our overall well-being? There are two essential aspects of our social world that contribute to health: social support and social integration.Psychological Health
Social Support
Social support refers to the psychological and material resources provided by a social network to help individuals cope with stress. Such social support may come in different forms, and might involve:
- Helping a person with various daily tasks when they are ill of offering financial assistance when they are in need
- Giving advice to a friend when they are facing a difficult situation
- Providing caring, empathy, and concern for loved ones in need
Social Integration
Social integration is the actual participation in various social relationships, ranging from romantic partnerships to friendships . This integration involves emotions , intimacy , and a sense of belonging to different social groups, including being part of a:
- Family
- Partnership
- Religious Community
- Social activity
Experts suggest that being integrated into such social relationships confers a protective benefit against maladaptive behaviors and damaging health consequences.
Related : Dealing With No Support from Family When You’re Depressed
Types of Social Support
Supportive social networks can come in different forms and play different roles in your life. Three of the main types of social support are emotional support, and instrumental support.
Emotional Support
Sometimes the people in your life provide emotional support. They back you up when you need it and are there with a shoulder to cry on when things don’t go your way. This type of support can be particularly important during times of stress or when people are feeling lonely.
Related: 8 Ways to Provide Emotional Support for Your Partner
Instrumental Support
People can also provide informational support, which can involve guidance , advice, information, and mentoring. Such support can be important when making decisions or making big changes in one’s life.
By having this form of support, people may feel less anxious and stressed out about the problems they are trying to solve thanks to the advice of a trusted friend , mentor , or loved one.
As you might imagine, people in your social networks may take on different roles. A teacher might provide informational support, while a parent might provide all three types. By having a solid social support network, you are more likely to receive the type of support that you need when you really need it.Psychological Health
Related: The Different Types of Social support
Examples of Social Support
Social support can occur in many forms and from many different people in your life. Co-workers may offer support in the workplace, while friends and family may provide emotional or practical support in other areas of your life.
A few examples of social support include:
- Listening to a friend talk about a stressful situation
- Validating another member of a support group when they talk about their feelings
- Cooking meals for a neighbor who has been feeling ill
- Praising an employee for doing a good job
- Providing constructive feedback on someone’s work to help them improve
- Helping someone with housework when they are struggling with feelings of depression
Health Benefits of Social Support
So new that we understand that our social support systems involve both different types of social support as well as integration into different social groups, it is time to take a closer look at Psychological Health exactly how these social relationships influence both physical and mental health.
Healthy Choices and Behaviors
Participation in social groups has a normative influence on behaviors, often influencing whether people eat a healthy diet, exercise , smoke , drink , or use illegal substances.
Clearly, social groups can sometimes have a negative influence in this regard when peer pressure and influence leads to poor or even dangerous health choices. However, group pressure and can also lead people to engage in healthy behaviors as well.Psychological Health
If you have ever tried to give up a bad habit, such as smoking, you probably realize just how important social support can be. If your social connections do not support you, it can make success much more difficult . If your friends and family offer support and encouragement, you may find achieving you goal much more possible.
Coping with Stress
Social support also helps people to cope with stress has been shown to have serious health consequences ranging from reduced immunity to increased risk of heart disease.
Being surrounded by people who are caring and supportive helps people to see themselves as better capable of dealing with the stresses that life brings.
Research has also shown that having strong social support in times of crisis can help reduce the consequences of trauma Psychological Health-induced disorders including PTSD.Psychological Health
Related: Social Support Stress Relief
Improves Motivation
social relationships can also help people to stay motivation when trying to achieve their goals. People who are trying to lose weight or quit smoking, for example, often find that it helps to connect with people who are actively trying to attain those same goals.Psychological Health025 Psychological Health
Talking to people who are going through the same experience can often be a source of support , empathy and motivation .
Takeaways
Every once in a while, it can important to assess your relationships:
- Do you have enough social support ?
- Would you benefit from deepening your current relationships ?
- Could you use some new social contacts or social outlets?
You might decide to get more proactive about giving and getting emotional support. It could greatly improve the quality of your life.
And if you’re struggling to make friends or keep them, you might reach out to a therapist. A mental health provider may be able to assist you in managing you relationships in healthy way so you can have the social support you need to be your best.