What makes supportive relationships supportive? The social climate in supported housing for people with psychiatric disabilities

The link between social support, well-being, and mental health has been established in numerous studies in a variety of disciplines since the 1970s. A specific type of support is professional social support for people with psychiatric disabilities living in the community. This study emphasizes the relationship between the professional and the person with psychiatric disability in supported housing. The results show that a supportive relationship involves a social climate with the following components: interest in the individuality, care/concern, and respect for the integrity of the individual. The results also indicate that the social climate has a crucial influence on perceived support, as exemplified by supportive and unsupportive types of relationship.