PsychologyMeeting Life Challenges

Which of the following terms refers to the quality of social support…

Which of the following terms refers to the quality of social support that a person has?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 2

The correct answer is Option (2) → Perceived support

Option (1) Social network — Incorrect. Social network is the quantity of social support, that is, how many people one has. It is unrelated to well-being, because a large network takes much time and effort to keep.

Option (2) Perceived support — Correct. Perceived support is the quality of social support. It is positively related to health and well-being.

Option (3) Informational support — Incorrect. Informational support is a form of help: facts about a stressful event, such as an exam, from someone who has faced it. It is a kind of help.

Option (4) Tangible support — Incorrect. Tangible support is material aid such as money, goods or services. It too is a form of help.

NCERT (2026-27): “Life Skills …
Social Support : Social support is defined as the existence and availability of people on whom we can rely upon, people who let us know that they care about, value, and love us. Someone who believes that s/he belongs to a social network of communication and mutual obligation experiences social support. Perceived support, i.e. the quality of social support is positively related to health and well-being, whereas social network, i.e. the quantity of social support is unrelated to well-being, because it is very timeconsuming and demanding to maintain a large social network. …”