It is plausible that the effects of

It is plausible that the effects of social support, or the mechanisms by which social support exerts those effects, may vary by illness or self-care behavior. For example, support may be more important when the regimen is particularly complex, as such regimens are likely to be sources of stress, and complex behaviors are more susceptible to the effects of self-efficacy. Self-care tasks that have a social component, such as those relating to diet, may be more open to social network influences than tasks that are usually performed in a more solitary manner, such as taking medication. In addition, social support’s influence on emotional well-being may be especially helpful for tasks that may deteriorate during periods of psychological distress.