. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2017 Jun 22.

Published in final edited form as: Pers Soc Psychol Rev. 2014 Aug 14;19(2):113–147. doi: 10.1177/1088868314544222

Table 2.

Descriptive Summary of Support Functions

Source of Strength Support	Relational Catalyst Support
Definition: Functions to promote thriving through adversity, not only by buffering the negative effects of stress but also by helping others to emerge from the stressor in ways that enable them to flourish	Definition: Functions to promote thriving through full participation in life opportunities for exploration, growth, and development in the absence of adversity
Components: Providing a safe haven – safety and protection; relief from burdens; emotional or physical comfort; a comfortable environment for the expression of negative emotion and vulnerability; expressing empathy, understanding, acceptance, reassurance; shielding and defending; tangible aid to alleviate adverse circumstances Providing fortification – assisting in the development/nurturing of strengths/talents; recognizing/nourishing latent abilities or helping to attain new ones Assisting in the reconstruction process – motivating and assisting one to get back up, stay in the game, use strengths to renew and rebuild the self, problem-solve and cope with adversity in a positive manner Assisting in reframing/redefining adversity as a mechanism for positive change	Components: Nurturing a desire to create or seize opportunities for growth – expressing enthusiasm, validating goals and aspirations, encouraging individual to challenge or extend the self, leave one’s comfort zone Providing perceptual assistance in the viewing of life opportunities – appraising opportunities as positive challenges vs. threats, assistance in recognizing opportunities Facilitating preparation for engagement in life opportunities – promoting the development of plans and strategies, development/recognition of skills and resources; providing instrumental or informational assistance; encouraging setting of attainable goals Facilitating implementation by serving a launching function that enables one to fully engage in life opportunities by: Providing a secure base for exploration Supporting capitalization Assisting in tune-ups and adjustments; responding sensitively to failures/setbacks Perceiving & behaving toward individual in ways consistent with his/her ideal self

Source of Strength Support

Relational Catalyst Support

Definition:
Functions to promote thriving through adversity, not only by buffering the negative effects of stress but also by helping others to emerge from the stressor in ways that enable them to flourish

Definition:
Functions to promote thriving through full participation in life opportunities for exploration, growth, and development in the absence of adversity

Components:

Providing a safe haven – safety and protection; relief from burdens; emotional or physical comfort; a comfortable environment for the expression of negative emotion and vulnerability; expressing empathy, understanding, acceptance, reassurance; shielding and defending; tangible aid to alleviate adverse circumstances
Providing fortification – assisting in the development/nurturing of strengths/talents; recognizing/nourishing latent abilities or helping to attain new ones
Assisting in the reconstruction process – motivating and assisting one to get back up, stay in the game, use strengths to renew and rebuild the self, problem-solve and cope with adversity in a positive manner
Assisting in reframing/redefining adversity as a mechanism for positive change

Components:

Nurturing a desire to create or seize opportunities for growth – expressing enthusiasm, validating goals and aspirations, encouraging individual to challenge or extend the self, leave one’s comfort zone
Providing perceptual assistance in the viewing of life opportunities – appraising opportunities as positive challenges vs. threats, assistance in recognizing opportunities
Facilitating preparation for engagement in life opportunities – promoting the development of plans and strategies, development/recognition of skills and resources; providing instrumental or informational assistance; encouraging setting of attainable goals
Facilitating implementation by serving a launching function that enables one to fully engage in life opportunities by:
1. Providing a secure base for exploration
2. Supporting capitalization
3. Assisting in tune-ups and adjustments; responding sensitively to failures/setbacks
4. Perceiving & behaving toward individual in ways consistent with his/her ideal self