What is social support in practice?

• A. Providing factual statements about health
• B. Offering encouragement and practical help
• C. Forcing behavior
• D. Giving medical advice

Answer: (B)

Social support in practice means actions from others that help someone manage stress and feel cared for, combining emotional encouragement with practical help. This is best captured by offering encouragement and tangible assistance—listening with empathy, validating feelings, and helping with tasks or getting to appointments. It differs from giving factual health statements or medical advice, which are informational or professional guidance, and from forcing behavior, which is coercive. Social support is about voluntary, person-centered help that strengthens coping and resilience.