Table 4.

Categories of emotional support (adapted from [47])

Type of Emotional Support	Description
Emotional coping strategies	Suggestions for managing painful emotions (eg, anxiety, anger, fear, and sadness)
Empathy	Acknowledging identification with others’ emotional reactions and feelings including painful and pleasurable feelings; validating the appropriateness of another’s reactions to stressful circumstances
Encouragement	Support in persistence in facing challenges; expressing hope that situations will improve
Prayers	Offering spiritual support through prayers or blessings to others in distress
Esteem support	Appreciation for the value of an individual and his or her accomplishments