Abstract
This paper describes new and ongoing work at Statistics Canada on the measurement of social and community support. Particular attention is given to the development of the methodology and framework for capturing support from both sides of the giver/receiver dyad. The paper spotlights the 1996 General Social Survey (GSS), Canada's first full-scale survey of social and community support. The paper also previews some initial findings from the 1996 GSS on the demographic characteristics of who is providing social support, for whom it is done, and with what task(s) they were providing help. In addition, some of the hidden costs, the negative social and psychological consequences of providing help, are discussed. Finally, some limitations of the 1996 GSS are addressed.
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