Who Needs Social Support?
We all do!
Do you have people in your life who you can turn to when you’re struggling? Or someone with whom you maybe just want to talk to?
Social support is the physical and emotional comfort given by your friends, peers, family and others to you.
A support network depends on each individual. It can include understanding, assisting, and encouraging a person whenever and wherever needed.
Social support can be broken down into several categories. Understanding techniques to build a support network is equally important as knowing the types of support one can provide to someone.
Types of Social Support
There are many ways in which people can support each other, but research has shown these as the 4 basic types:
- Emotional Support
This type of support is where people are emotionally supportive by listening to you, showing empathy, providing emotional and physical comfort and telling you that they care about you. Maybe close friends and family members provide hope, support and a listening ear when you’re in distress.
Example: a close friend or a family member offering physical comfort by hugging or checking up on you every few days to know how you’re doing.
This type of support is frequently used in Mental Health settings as it can impact a person’s ability to cope and manage.
- Esteem Support
This type of support is where people use expressions of confidence, affirmations and encouragement to show they care about you. This type of support can help in self-evaluation as well.
Example: a close friend letting you know that they believe in you and your abilities to get through a difficult situation. This often acts as a reminder that you do have successes to look up to when failure strikes.
Esteem Support is used by therapists in their practices to make the clients believe in themselves more.
- Tangible Support
This type of support includes taking active steps to help someone manage a problem they’re experiencing. Tangible support helps in completing your daily life tasks and easing some of the stressors you experience.
Example: a family member bringing you food when you’re sick; or a close friend helping you list down potential solutions to an issue at hand.
People who care about you may also provide practical help when you’re in need.
- Informational Support
This type of support includes providing suggestions, advice or any kind of information to the person in distress. People provide intentional information about the available resources or coping strategies that may benefit you.
Example: a close friend sharing networking tips if you’ve lost your job recently; or a family member providing resourceful tips on making a monthly budget.
A mix of these support networks can lead to significant benefits for individuals.
Perceived Social Support
People like your parents, other family members, friends, co-workers, partner(s), children, siblings, neighbours, health professionals, support groups, online communities – can provide social support.
Not everyone may (or) can provide the same type of support in your life. Each person may be different and would provide different kinds of support; so having an unrealistic thought that one person may provide all the support you need is highly unlikely.
However, do remember that receiving support from people who are close to you is sometimes more beneficial to your emotional, physical and mental health. And, even in times when we’re not directly receiving support from others, we often believe that having a network around us would be beneficial – this is called as perceived social support.
Perceived Social Support may improve psychological health, improve self-worth, and a sense of security and belonging. It also gives the perception that one is valued and accepted by others.
Why you may want to refine your Social Support Circle?
Sometimes, people make changes to their support system when they experience important life changes. Here are some reasons why you might feel like wanting to change your social support network:
- You may feel certain areas of your life require connecting with people who have similar or shared interests.
- You may feel your current support system doesn’t fully understand you and your needs or empathize with your experiences.
- You may feel your current support circle has a negative influence on your well-being, e.g., discouraging personal growth.
- You may feel a need to change your social support circle if you’ve recently become a new parent. You may want to connect with other parents.
- You may feel a need to change your current social support circle if the relationships feel one-sided, i.e., where you’re only giving but not receiving support.
- You may feel your current support circle doesn’t align with your current goals, values and aspirations.
- You may want to seek out extra support when you experience something which your existing support system is not familiar with.
Improve your Perceived Social Support
Improving perceived social support involves both enhancing the actual support available and also changing your perception of the support you receive. The effects of perceived social support are huge. There are steps that can be taken to enhance your social support network.
Seek out Supportive Relationships
Engage in open communication, be present, and surround yourself with people who are understanding, empathetic, and positive. Put in time and effort to nurture your current social connections. For example, look for close friends, family members who are willing to listen and offer support.
Seek Support Online
Not having friends or family close to you can result in low perceived social support. Maybe joining clubs online, or meeting new people with similar interests can provide a sense of belonging and support. Virtual interactions can provide a sense of connectedness even when physical distance can be a barrier.
Utilize Technology
Staying connected with friends and family through social media, phone/video calls can help in bonding. Sharing experiences can strengthen relationships and social connections and enhance perceived social support.
Be a Supportive Friend
Offering help and being empathetic can create a reciprocal relationship of support. Ensuring that most of your relationships are healthy and balanced can create harmony and a sense of respect. Communicate your needs and limits within a supportive environment and be mindful of how much support you give and receive.
Seek Professional Support
A professional can help navigate social challenges and improve your perception of support. By seeking guidance, understanding and actively fostering change can enhance your overall sense of well-being and social support.
Focus on Gratitude
Gratitude helps in shifting your perception and enhance the perspective of the support available to you. Look around, surround yourself with the support you want, recognise and appreciate the support you have, even if it’s not extensive.
Conclusion
Perceived social support is often influenced by both – external factors (actual support received) and internal factors (your beliefs and perceptions). Making changes to your social support network may be a positive step towards improving your overall quality of life.
Lastly, remember, that it’s essential to prioritize your well-being and surround yourself with individuals who encourage, support and uplift you.
Looking for assistance with building social support? We’d love to help!