Abstract
Many studies have been achieved on the effects of social support on psychological health in recent years. Few of them, however, have focused their attention on the interactive influences by various support sources. Considering its possibility, this study investigated the effects of perceived social supports from family and from friends on psychological health in college students (75 males and 95 females). Data were analyzed through several hierarchical regression analyses with interaction terms. The main result was that males with lower level of friend support would be more unhealthy if they had more support from family although males with higher level of friend support would be healthier if they had more family support. In females, family support was generally protecting, but its effects diminished gradually when they experienced a broader life. Perceived support from friends had health-sustaining effects in both males and females. The interrelatedness of multiple support sources for the potential recipients of their supports and the importance of considering their interactive effects on the recipients' well-being were discussed.
