Table 2.

Functional social support definition and scores from the modified MOS Social Support Survey among HIV clinic patients, North Carolina

Functional Support Type	Definition1	Scale Items (“How often is this kind of support available?”)	Mean Score (SD)2
Positive Social Interaction	Shared social activities, a sense of social belonging	Someone to have a good time or hang with Someone to do things with and help you get your mind off things	71.5 (23.3)
Tangible Support	Provision of material aid	Someone to help you if you were confined to bed Someone to take you to the doctor if you needed it Someone to prepare your meals if you were unable to Someone to help with daily chores if you were sick	79.8 (21.9)
Emotional/Information Support	Expressions of comfort and caring, provision of advice and guidance	Someone to give you good advice about a crisis Someone’s whose advice you want Someone you can count on to listen when you need to talk Someone to share your most private worries and fear with	78.8 (19.4)
Affectionate Support	Expressions of love and affection	Someone who shows you love and affection Someone who hugs you Someone to love and make you feel wanted	83.7 (22.2)
Overall Functional Support			79.1 (18.5)

¹See references (Sherbourne & Stewart, 1991; Uchino, 2004)

²Functional social support scores range from 20 (low) to 100 (high).