The development of a 4-element model was discussed where: 1) social support could be studied as an outcome of personal interactions, 2) this outcome could be examined from the individual’s point of view, & 3) the influence of culture on this view. 773 suicide attempters were interviewed in 10 European research centres. Preliminary results indicated unexpectedly marked differences between the various centres both with regard to individual components of the model & balances between components.