The concept of social support is central to the thinking of many clinicians dealing with psychiatric patients. Patients, relatives and friends also attach great importance to the positive aspects and the problems of social relationships in relation to health maintenance. Therefore, it is surprising that there is very little evidence available from intervention studies upon which to base management decisions. But given this widespread feeling that personal relationships are of such importance, it seems timely to ask a group of workers who themselves have a background in clinical practice, particularly in psychiatry, psychology and the social sciences, and who have conducted empirical research in this area, to express their views about the implications for clinical practice of their own work and of related work.

It is hoped that these contributions can achieve two aims. First, that fellow practitioners who have read this book will approach the psychosocial aspects of the care of their clients or patients with a greater knowledge and understanding of what is known of the highly complex processes that are involved. At the very least it is hoped that this will result in a modest, cautious and questioning approach. Second, it is hoped that this collection will stimulate a much-needed expansion in formal clinical evaluation. Existing psychosocial intervention methods should be evaluated, whilst taking account of their effects on relationship variables. Also, it is hoped that well-designed clinical trials will be more forthcoming.