The strength of communities is defined by the ways in which people help each other, and provide information, emotional support or other resources to those who have problems or who want to change or improve their lives in some way. The Helping Network Study focuses on the the quality of community, on the parts of helping systems that people use when they have problems and how these systems affect the mental outlook of these people. In a pluralistic society, people solve problems and meet needs in different ways. Some of the differences between kinds of helping networks are specific to particular types of communities. Strengthening neighborhood networks can provide a means of (a) gaining a sense of control over one's life, (b) reducing alienation from society, (c) gaining assurance to solve new problems, and (d) maintaining the motivation to overcome the handicaps and frustrations which are common to modern society. (Author/BN)