The social supports of high-risk, formerly maltreated adults

The study examined the specific components of social support reported as mo st important by high-risk, formerly maltreated adults. This included identi fying the kinds of functional social support, as well as the social support providers whom these individuals reported most favourably. Sixty-six parti cipants (24 men and 42 women) who met conditions for physical or sexual abu se completed the study. The results indicated that adult survivors of abuse report receiving more emotional than instrumental support from the people most important to them. Of the 10 support provider categories, friends were rated the highest. Friends were rated higher than mothers (the second-high est provider category), but this effect was strongest when emotional suppor t was considered.