Reflections on the social support network as a mechanism for the protection and promotion of resilience

Abstract

This article presents theoretical reflections on the concepts of the social support network and its potential impact as a mechanism for the protection and promotion of resilience. Social support networks have been studied in different areas of knowledge and are referred to as one of the main sources of protection and resilience for the individual, family and community. This text presents the theoretical contributions of psychology to the construction of the concept of resilience, its relational elements and their connections to support networks. There is also special emphasis on community resilience, which has as its pillars: solidarity, collective self-esteem, cultural identity, social humor, and state honesty, still little studied in Brazil.