How does perceived social support relate to human thriving? A systematic review with meta-analyses.

= .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. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).