Abstract
Social support is suggested to have a positive influence on health; it decreases the probability of development of mental health problems after traumatic or stressful experiences. The article first defines the term social support, especially in the relationship with a term social relationship; it presents theoretical approaches towards social support, positive and negative consequences of social support, and received and provided social support.
We used qualitative approach. 15 male soldiers of different combat positions of ISAF mission were interviewed. The research suggests that social support can be divided into two categories -in the mission and out of the mission.
The most frequently providers of social support are colleagues, commanders, and families or girlfriends. On the other hand families or girlfriends are also most frequently receivers of social support from soldiers and it might be viewed as burdening.
More detailed results of analyses are presented in the article.