What term refers to the network of relationships providing emotional, informational, and practical assistance that buffers against stress?

• A. Positive Psychology
• B. Subjective Well-Being (SWB)
• C. Gratitude
• D. Social Support

Answer: (D)

Social support refers to the network of relationships that provide emotional comfort, information, and practical help to buffer against stress. When you have people you can turn to—family, friends, colleagues—you receive emotional reassurance, helpful advice, and tangible aid that can reduce the overall burden of stress and support healthier coping. This kind of network can lessen both psychological and physiological stress responses by offering perspective, encouragement, and resources.

Positive Psychology is the study of what contributes to flourishing and well-being, not specifically the support network. Subjective Well-Being measures how happy or satisfied someone feels with life, but doesn’t describe the social network itself. Gratitude is the feeling of thankfulness, which can influence well-being, yet it’s an attitude, not the network providing support. So the term that fits this description is social support.