Stödjande

Stödjande is a Swedish term that functions as both an adjective and a noun when describing actions, relationships, or resources that provide support. It is formed from the verb stödja, meaning to support, with the present participle suffix -ande. In everyday usage, stödjande describes anything intended to give emotional, social, or practical backing to an individual or group, such as interventions, networks, or behaviors.

In psychology and counseling, stödjande approaches emphasize empathy, acceptance, and non-judgmental listening. A stödjande samtal, or supportive conversation, aims to help clients articulate experiences, cope with stress, and build resilience. In social services and welfare work, stödjande insatser or stödjande åtgärder refer to measures designed to enable participation and autonomy, including counseling, information, coordination, and access to networks of help. In healthcare and elder care, stödjande vård describes care that complements medical treatment by addressing emotional well-being, social needs, and practical support for daily living.

Stödjande can describe a person, a relationship, or a system that offers support, such as a stödjande nätverk (supportive network) or stödjande relation (supportive relationship). The term is commonly used in public sector discourse, education, psychology, and social work. It is closely related to stöd (support) and is often contrasted with more directive or problem-solving approaches that may not prioritize the provision of emotional backing.

See also: stöd, stödjande vård, psykosocialt stöd.