Social support resources, behavior, and appraisals: A path analysis

Three models involving 3 facets of social support, orientation to support utilization, and psychological distress were subjected to path analysis using data from 176 college students. Findings supported the following models: (a) support network resources yield supportive behavior that in turn promotes positive appraisals of support, (b) orientation to support utilization effects resources, behavior, and appraisals, and (c) resources and behavior effect distress indirectly through support appraisals.