The role of social support on health throughout the lifecycle.

The role of social supports throughout the lifecycle has dynamic implications on health and psychosocial wellness. Establishment of a stable supportive family early in life seems to be a consistent support drawn upon throughout the lifecycle. Other social support predictors which may affect health include high-quality supports from friends, total network size, age, gender, marital status, income, and threatening life events. Implications of social supports throughout the lifecycle should encourage health educators of all types to promote quality social supports within the family, schools, and community.