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Reference.org
Invisible support
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<p>In <a href="/facts/Psychology/duoqW7Sz">psychology</a>, invisible support is a type of <a href="/facts/Social_support/wxKQtpqe">social support</a> in which supportive exchanges are not visible to recipients. </p><p>There are two possible situations that can qualify as acts of invisible support. The first possibility entails a situation where "recipients are completely unaware of the supportive transaction between themselves and support-givers". For example, a spouse may choose to spontaneously take care of housework without mentioning it to the other couple-member. Invisible support also occurs when "recipients are aware of an act that takes place but do not interpret the act as a supportive exchange". In this case, a friend or family member may subtly provide advice in an indirect manner as a means to preserve the recipient's self-esteem or to defer his or her attention from a stressful situation. Invisible support can be viewed on both ends of an exchange, in which the recipient is unaware of the support received and the provider enacts support in a skillful, subtle way. </p>