THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF NURSING SCIENCE TO SOCIAL SUPPORT

Nurse scientists have contributed to the theoretical development of so cial support through concept refinement, creation of measures, and int ervention research. Nevertheless, deficiencies persist pertaining to t he conceptualization of the construct and the design of intervention s tudies. Cultural, technological and political contexts have an effect on social support. The significance of social support, nurses' scholar ly contributions, and continuing conceptual and methodological challen ges are analysed.