Social support theory, long before the origin and development of the western criminology, had existed and been applied to such domains as mental health research. This article, after the introduction and discussion of the definition, some related propositions, major classification and the function and value of the social support theory, puts a little more emphasis on the brief analysis and evaluation of its efficacy and defects. It further points out that western social support theory with the vigorous advocacy of some kind of pro-active criminal policy can not only offer some sound explanation but are of great theoretical reference value and practical significance for the crime problems of the vulnerable groups that China is now confronted in the social transition period, such as juvenile delinquency, female crime, aged crime, rural workers crime and offences commited by countryside caretakers, etc.%社会支持理论在西方犯罪学领域产生与发展之前，早已存在并应用于精神卫生研究等领域。文章在对社会支持理论的定义及其相关命题、主要分类及功能价值进行介评后，着重对该理论的功效及缺陷进行了简要的评价与分析。进而指出：西方犯罪学社会支持理论极力推崇一种积极的刑事政策，这对于当前处于社会转型期的中国所面临的许多弱势群体犯罪问题，如青少年犯罪、女性犯罪、老年犯罪、农民工犯罪、农村留守人员犯罪等，具有一定的解释力，有着重要的理论借鉴价值和社会实践意义。
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