Social support intervention studies: a review and prospectus of nursing contributions

Nurse researchers have contributed some conceptual clarity, measurement devices and empirical studies of support resources and target populations to the social support literature. One apparent deficit, surprising when one considers nursing's practice-orientation, is the virtual absence of empirical intervention studies. Accordingly, potential foci for nursing investigations at five levels of social-support interventions (individual, dyadic, group, social system and community levels) are proposed here. Nurses can not only propose but can also validate concepts of social support in real-life situations with real-world populations. They are qualified to bring a unique perspective to the study of social support. Empirical intervention research conducted by appropriately educated nurses should enhance future theoretical and practical development of the social support field.