Social Support in Close Relationships

Social relationships are a fundamental component of the human experience, and decades of relationships research supports their central role in health and well-being. This chapter offers a broad look at research on social support in the context of close relationships, with particular emphasis on the role of social support in health. We first give an overview of the foundational theories of the field and discuss how social support has historically been conceptualized. We then discuss contemporary extensions of this work, including theories of invisible support, perceived responsiveness, thriving, dyadic perspectives of coping, and the implications of technology for support processes. We highlight important research on social support in diverse gender and cultural contexts, emphasizing the need for intersectional perspectives in this space. The chapter concludes with a discussion of key considerations for future research and intervention.