Social Support Among College Students With Disabilities: Structural Patterns and Satisfaction

Abstract

The current study explores the structural and functional features of social support among college students with disabilities. Findings indicated that parents and friends were critical sources of support among all students. Analyses of specific subgroup differences by disability indicated that students in certain disability groups (e.g., psychological disabilities) had significantly fewer sources of support than did students in other categories. The implications of these findings for families, peers, student services personnel, and faculty are discussed.