Disaster survivors’ perceptions of received social support: Outcome, delivery, and provider all matter

In the aftermath of a disaster, a variety of forms of social support are mobilized to aid affected individuals. However, not all social support is received positively by survivors. This qualitative study aimed to explore factors that may account for variations in survivors' perceptions of received social support. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with n = 11 survivors of the Lushan earthquake (China, 2013), and data were analysed using thematic analysis. The results indicated that features of support outcomes, delivery, and support providers all played key roles in shaping survivors’ perceptions of received social support. Regarding support outcomes, survivors tended to perceive more positively the support that could fulfil their needs, was equitable and fair, and could be reciprocated. As for support delivery, they preferred help that was easy to obtain, spontaneously given by providers, exchanged in a respectful and sensitive manner, and delivered in an empowering way that allowed recipients to be involved in decision-making. The characteristics of help providers also mattered, such that providers who were perceived as having benevolent and sincere intentions, or who made efforts and sacrifices to help, were highly valued by survivors irrespective of the support outcome. The study provides recommendations for further research and practice.