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Conceptualizing and Measuring the Sense of Social Support

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Social Mentality in Contemporary China

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Abstract

Studies of social support initially focused on social environmental factors influencing personal health, meaning to extend the discussion on individual mental disturbances to society and public topics. In order to explore the relationship between social support and personal physical and mental health, we should systematically define the concept of social support, analyze its operations and study its source structures and types comprehensively so as to measure its different influences on personal health and even on social integration. Scholars have been increasingly drawn to study of social support. In psychology, sociology, psychotherapy and social work, areas in which study of social support is conducted, the application field of social support has been expanded. The purpose of this article is to summarize the basic concept and development of study of social support. We will start the discussion by briefly introducing the definition of social support, then explain its source structure, relationship and structure, dimensionalities, mechanism of action, and at last introduce tools for its measurement.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Beijing, China

    Pengfei Diao

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  1. Pengfei Diao
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Beijing, China

    Yiyin Yang

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Diao, P. (2019). Conceptualizing and Measuring the Sense of Social Support. In: Yang, Y. (eds) Social Mentality in Contemporary China. Research Series on the Chinese Dream and China’s Development Path. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-7812-6_10

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