Social support research has been hindered by unclear definitions and conceptualizations of its effects on health. This study compared social network size and three types of perceived social support—tangible, emotional, and informational—with stressful life events, psychological symptoms and morale, and physical health in 100 individuals aged 45–64. Social network size was separable from perceived support but had a weaker relationship with outcomes. Low tangible and emotional support, along with certain life events, were independently linked to depression and negative morale, while informational support was associated with positive morale. Neither social support nor stressful life events were linked to physical health. The study concluded that social support research needs to focus on its multidimensionality and more specific hypotheses about the relationship between support types and adaptive outcomes. The social environment is increasingly viewed as both a source of stress and a resource that mediates stress and health. It is argued that social support improves outcomes during stress, while its absence contributes to illness. Recent research has linked low social support to negative health outcomes, including neurosis, pregnancy complications, and mortality. However, studies differ in how they conceptualize and measure social support, leading to confusion. This study aims to clarify distinctions between social network size, perceived social support, and their relationships with life events and health outcomes. The key distinction is between the number of relationships (social network) and perceived support. The benefits of social relationships are assumed, not measured, in the social network concept.Social support research has been hindered by unclear definitions and conceptualizations of its effects on health. This study compared social network size and three types of perceived social support—tangible, emotional, and informational—with stressful life events, psychological symptoms and morale, and physical health in 100 individuals aged 45–64. Social network size was separable from perceived support but had a weaker relationship with outcomes. Low tangible and emotional support, along with certain life events, were independently linked to depression and negative morale, while informational support was associated with positive morale. Neither social support nor stressful life events were linked to physical health. The study concluded that social support research needs to focus on its multidimensionality and more specific hypotheses about the relationship between support types and adaptive outcomes. The social environment is increasingly viewed as both a source of stress and a resource that mediates stress and health. It is argued that social support improves outcomes during stress, while its absence contributes to illness. Recent research has linked low social support to negative health outcomes, including neurosis, pregnancy complications, and mortality. However, studies differ in how they conceptualize and measure social support, leading to confusion. This study aims to clarify distinctions between social network size, perceived social support, and their relationships with life events and health outcomes. The key distinction is between the number of relationships (social network) and perceived support. The benefits of social relationships are assumed, not measured, in the social network concept.