This book provides an overview of investigations into the interrela­ tions between stressful living conditions, individual coping strategies, and social support networks, on the one hand, and physiological, psychological, and social "health", on the other. Health is used as a broad term, and is defined as a state of physical and mental well­ being by which an individual is capable of processing inner and outer reality in a productive and satisfying manner. The potential stresses and strains inherent in the lifestyles of children, adolescents, and adults in contemporary industrial societies are the prime concern of this book. I try to offer a comprehensive view which takes modern socialization theory as its starting point. Chapter 1 introduces the subject and discusses the psychological and social "costs" that accompany life within modern industrial soci­ ety. Chapter 2 reviews research on types and distribution of social, psychological, and somatic disorders. Chapter 3 explores the risk fac­ tors and constellations of stressful life events, role conflicts, and tran­ sitions and focuses on the changes in types of demand or strains throughout the life span. Chapter 4 contains an analysis of the per­ sonal and social "resources" that can be mobilized if stress occurs.