Social Support, Health, and Illness

'Social Support, Health, and Illness provides a careful, comprehensive review of the contemporary literature on social support and its modifying effects on a wide range of medical and psychiatric conditions. Scrupulously reporting on study methodologies and findings from across North America, England, Italy, Pakistan, and elsewhere, Ranjan Roy's scholarship is strong, detailed, and impressive.' -- Merrijoy Kelner, Institute for Human Development, Life Course, and Aging, University of Toronto

Synthesizing insights from the latest research findings, Social Support, Health, and Illness offers a comprehensive look at the modifying and mitigating factors of intimacy on the outcomes of disease.

When a person faces serious illness, having the support of one's partner can help protect against the full ravages of disease, and even hasten recovery. However, too much support can have grave clinical consequences for sufferers and exact a heavy emotional and financial toll on caregivers. Social Support, Health, and Illness is an up-to-date analysis of how social support can either help or hinder recovery for patients.

A useful resource for clinical practitioners and researchers, Social Support, Health, and Illness addresses the effects of intimate support on a wide variety of medical and psychiatric conditions, including cancer, dementia, and chronic pain. Ranjan Roy uncovers the complexities underlying social support by tracing the concept's historical and theoretical development. Synthesizing insights from the latest research findings, Social Support, Health, and Illness offers a comprehensive look at the modifying and mitigating factors of intimacy on the outcomes of disease.