There is increasing interest in the relationship between social support, mental health and life stress. Research shows that social support is negatively correlated with symptoms of psychological distress. Yet knowledge about the dynamics of this relationship is limited. The effect of age, ethnicity and socio-economic status upon the relationship between social support, mental health and life stress was investigated to identify the relative importance of elements of social support for mental health status of different population groups. Data findings from interviews with about 400 randomly selected residents in two urban-ethnic communities showed that neighborhood attachment was the most important correlate of mental health status of elderly and ethnic populations, regardless of levels of life stress. Mental health status of younger adults and non-ethnics was related primarily to work satisfaction at time of low stress and to direct support from family, friends and co-workers at time of high stress. Findings suggest that neighborhood attachment should be enhanced and strengthened and that efforts should be undertaken to increase work satisfaction in the labor place. (Author)