The paper describes a study of the relationship between social support and well-being among 24 mildly mentally retarded Afro-American adults living with family, in group situations, or independently. Detailed observations, interviews, and questionnaires were used to collect data on the structural characteristics of the Ss' networks, use of ties as coping mechanisms, nature of transactions between study participants and ties, and the qualitative aspects of specific critical social ties. Results indicated reliance on kin ties to provide a variety of support and suggestded that degree of familial embeddedness was a primary determinant of the extent to which non-kin ties were developed. Successful adaptation to independent living and a more balanced network structure appeared to be related to the degree of responsibility given and contributions made in the home. The need for preparing retarded adults to form rewarding and useful non-kin ties were pointed out. (CL)