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Social Support and Physical Health: Models, Mechanisms, and Opportunities

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Principles and Concepts of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

Social support is defined as the perceived or actual receipt of social resources (e.g., tangible, emotional) and is one of the most reliable predictors of disease morbidity and mortality. In this chapter, the evidence linking social support to disease is reviewed along with the presentation of a theoretical model which highlights the social, psychological, behavioral, and biological pathways potentially responsible for such links. Important unresolved issues are also raised such as the distinction between perceived and received support, the importance of modeling antecedent processes and change over time, and cultural/technological influences on support processes. Studies attempting to utilize the epidemiological evidence to produce effective support intervention that impact health are also reviewed. Finally, the future of social support research/interventions along with their policy implications is discussed and highlights the tremendous progress in the field and potential impact of social support to help individuals live healthier and happier lives.

Scientists have long-noted an association between social relationships and health. More socially isolated or less socially integrated individuals are less healthy psychologically and physically, and more likely to die.

(House, Landis, & Umberson, 1988, p. 540)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology and Health Psychology Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    Bert N. Uchino, Kimberly Bowen, Robert Kent de Grey & Jude Mikel

  2. Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Edwin B. Fisher

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  1. Bert N. Uchino
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  2. Kimberly Bowen
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  3. Robert Kent de Grey
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  4. Jude Mikel
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  5. Edwin B. Fisher
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Correspondence to Bert N. Uchino .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Edwin B. Fisher

  2. Psychological Sciences, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, USA

    Linda D. Cameron

  3. Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA

    Alan J. Christensen

  4. Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland

    Ulrike Ehlert

  5. School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China

    Yan Guo

  6. Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia

    Brian Oldenburg

  7. Departments of Medical Psychology, Academic Medical Center (AMC) and VU University Medical Center (VUMC), Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Frank J. Snoek

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Uchino, B.N., Bowen, K., Kent de Grey, R., Mikel, J., Fisher, E.B. (2018). Social Support and Physical Health: Models, Mechanisms, and Opportunities. In: Fisher, E., et al. Principles and Concepts of Behavioral Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-93826-4_12

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