ABSTRACT
Social support arises in our interactions and is not something that is delivered like a commodity or resource. When we provide social support, we must determine what the other person needs and how we can enact appropriate behavior. Do they need a ride to the doctor? Do they need a hug? Do they need some advice? e question is whether our behavior achieves the primary goals of social, material, or psychological support. In a study on deployment, communication with loved ones, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), researchers discovered that having more secure interpersonal relationships, more community support, and ways to deal with worry contributed to helping soldiers with PTSD (Tsai et al., 2012). e use of person-centered messages, nonverbal immediacy, and emotional support constitute important behaviors that contribute to short and long term relationship health (Jones, 2004; Metts, 1997).
