Feeling supported matters for nearly every part of life. In a sweeping review and meta-analysis of 604 studies, Jennifer Lansford and colleagues examined how perceived social support—whether from parents, peers, teachers, or others—relates to human thriving. They found strong links between feeling supported and improved mental health and work performance, as well as benefits for physical health, education, and a lower risk of taking on new challenges. The analysis revealed cultural and developmental patterns too: social support mattered most for health and risk behaviors during childhood and adolescence, and educational benefits were greater in non-Western contexts. The findings underscore the importance of consistent, caring relationships in shaping long-term well-being and success across diverse cultures and life stages.
Abstract
Extensive research has illuminated how perceived social support bolsters functioning and buffers individuals from negative life outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined associations between various types (informational, instrumental, emotional, and a combination of types) and sources (parents, peers, teachers/classmates, and others) of perceived social support and five domains of human thriving-mental and physical health, risk-taking behaviors, educational functioning, and work performance-yielding 604 studies with 1,014 effect sizes that met criteria for inclusion. On average, perceived social support had the largest associations with better mental health, r+ = .35, 95% CI [.152, .578]; and better work performance, r+ = .37, 95% CI [.343, .401]. Perceived social support also demonstrated significant associations with other domains of thriving: better physical health, r+ = .24, 95% CI [.220, .617]; lower risk-taking behaviors, r+ = -.17, 95% CI [-.453, -.154]; and better educational functioning, r+ = .21, 95% CI [.047, .454]. Different types and sources of support demonstrated similar associations with mental health and educational functioning, but varying associations with physical health, risk-taking behaviors, and work performance. Associations between support and physical health and risk-taking behaviors were larger in childhood and adolescence than in emerging or later adulthood. Associations between support and educational functioning were larger for non-Western than Western cultural groups, whereas associations between support and work performance were larger in Western than non-Western cultural groups. Analyses provided evidence for both concurrent and prospective associations between perceived social support and five domains of human thriving. Multiple types and sources of perceived social support and thriving must be considered when examining the theoretical and practical implications of perceived social support.
Citation
Yeo, G., Lansford, J. E., & Rudolph, K. D. (2025). How does perceived social support relate to human thriving? A systematic review with meta-analyses. Psychological Bulletin. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000491