ABSTRACT
Almost four decades ago, in Illness, Immunity, and Social Interaction, Moss (1973) described the function of social support as providing
general social therapy for all types of incongruities one may encounter…. Social support provides each person with a communication network that is a safe base. Here he [sic] can be accepted whether he succeeds or fails in other networks. Here he can retreat to take stock of himself and prepare to meet “life.” Here he is accepted as a “whole person,” and all his various qualities, roles, desires, and the like are of interest.
