Social support and exercise adherence: A meta-analysis

DiMatteo's meta-analysis in Health Psychology synthesizes decades of research on the relationship between social support and adherence to medical treatment. It finds that practical and emotional support from family and friends is significantly associated with better adherence to prescribed regimens, while support from a spouse shows a smaller effect than support from broader social networks. The study underscores social support as a measurable, modifiable factor in sustaining health behaviors.