This study investigated how various types of social support serve as moderators of stress for mothers (N=45) of moderately mentally retarded, school-aged children attending a public school special education program in south Alabama. Subjects were administered the Questionnaire on Social Support, which examines degree of support and subject satisfaction with degree of support in three areas: intimate relationships; friendships; and community or neighborhood support. A significant correlation was found between satisfaction with intimate support and maternal coping ability, while a weak correlation was exhibited between satisfaction with friendship support and maternal coping ability. No significant correlation existed between satisfaction with community support and maternal coping ability. Mothers expressing greater satisfaction with intimate and friendship support were more likely to successfully cope with stress. It was concluded that perceptions of satisfaction or dissatisfaction with family resources may exert a considerable influence on the expression of family stress. Includes 19 references. (DB)