Rehabilitation adherence is an outcome of a complex interaction of physical, social, therapeutic and psychological elements. In a previous article, I had discussed the central role of therapeutic relationship in facilitating rehabilitation adherence. This second article, based on the findings of my doctoral research, centres on the role of social support and other social influences as a determinant of rehabilitation adherence. 

During the last 30 years, researchers have shown great interest in the phenomena of social support, particularly in the context of health. Social support has been described as “support accessible to an individual through social ties to other individuals, groups, and the larger community. It has also been described as “a network of family, friends, neighbors, and community members that is available in times of need to give psychological, physical, and financial help”. Theoretical models of social support specify the following two important dimensions: (1) a structural dimension, which includes network size and frequency of social interactions, and (2) a functional dimension with emotional (such as receiving love and empathy) and instrumental (practical help such as gifts of money or assistance with child care) components.

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