ABSTRACT
This chapter provides the literature on the conceptualization, measurement, and effects of social support, and then offers a pragmatic guide to various approaches to the measurement of social support. The interrelationships among the child, his or her family, and other social contacts are critical influences on the child's well-being and eventual development. Many studies link social support to utilization of health services, adherence to medical regimens, recovery, rehabilitation, adaptation to illness and mortality. One of the most striking features of the social support literature is the lack of overlap between the more theoretical studies and those pertaining to family program evaluation. Tangible support is measured by asking respondents in which of nine situations they can count on help from another person. If specific measures assessing use of existing sources of support are not included in an evaluation, one loses the ability to describe this important aspect of the program.
