Little research has focused on the particular characteristics necessary to gain and retain social support. To examine whether individuals' differing social support level could be differentiated on social skill level and physical appearance, and if these differences apply equally to males and females, 168 college students (84 males, 84 females) were randomly paired and videotaped in two dyadic situations with a same sex partner. Subjects also completed the Loneliness Questionnaire, a social situations story completion task, and self/partner evaluations. An analysis of the results showed significant differences in the social skills of subjects high and low in social support. People who described themselves as low in number of social supports were less favorably evaluated by their partners than were those subjects high in social support. Higher social competence levels were associated with a higher level of social support. The results also indicated sex differences in social behavior and in self-appraisal of social skills. Women were found to be significantly more socially skilled and were rated as being more physically attractive than men. The various self-report and behavioral measures of social skills were significantly interrelated. The results help to delineate the dimensions of social support by demonstrating the relationship between social support and social skill. (Author/BL)