Thank you so much! I can't begin to express how I feel with so much encouragement, love
and support that everyone is giving me. Already I feel so much better knowing I have friends
to help me get through this. I feel very blessed to have found you all. Thank you so much for
your support and friendship, you'll never know what it means to me! Judith This message
was posted on an online social support group (OSSg) and clearly illustrates that people can
find support and encouragement in times when they need it.(This and the other examples in …

Social support plays an important role in everyday life and it may contribute to mental as well
as physical wellbeing (Albrecht & goldsmith, 2003; Burleson et al., 1994; Heany & Israel,
1995; Uchino et al., 1996). Social support is found to be beneficial for people who go
through a period of uncertainty or anxiety caused by a traumatic experience (Leffler &
Dembert, 1998; Pennebaker & Harber, 1993), feel lonely or isolated because of a
stigmatized personal characteristic (such as a deviant sexual preference, an extreme …