Cite as (APA style): REMMERS, A. (2025). Social Support in Mental Health and Prevention: Process, Interaction, and Quality. The Global Psychotherapist, 5(2), 141-154 http://doi.org/10.52982/lkj284
Abstract: Social support can be defined as an interactive process initiated by attachment and characterised by the differentiation of needs. This process culminates in the encouragement of support and self-help. The significance of factors such as time, trust, reliability, availability, and identification with others for individuals receiving support cannot be overstated. A range of factors can contribute to the development of resilience and mental health balance. These may include, but are not limited to, a supportive person, a partner, family members, and the wider community. The implementation of practical measures to provide early social support has been demonstrated to have a positive impact on the well-being of expectant mothers, their families, and the developmental outcomes of their children. The distinguishing qualities of social support can be assessed by applying the principles of positive transcultural psychotherapy and family therapy to enhance the outcomes of social support. The differentiation of the social support qualities for prevention in family counselling, psychotherapy, social work and mental health as an interactive process in three phases with specific roles in the interaction, and specific qualities to adapt to the process, the interaction and the instruments to the individual needs within the social system is a subject that merits further investigation. The following paper sets out to describe a conceptual model that has been developed in collaboration between social workers, psychotherapists, medical doctors, and counsellors. The purpose of this model is to describe the process, needs, interaction qualities, and roles in social support.
Keywords: Positive Psychotherapy, social support, mental health prevention