The article deals with the notion of social support as a phenomenon that has a positive effect on the communication process. Social support is a complex communication process aimed at providing various forms of assistance that the interlocutor needs in the context of the current situation. The author gives a brief description of the types of support that optimize the communication in certain conditions. The concepts and theoretical principles reflect the communicative approach, which is the basis of the research.

Interpersonal adaptation is considered to be a process that could become one of the factors to optimize communication. As a positive phenomenon the adaptation to an interlocutor, however, has borderlines that might have negative impact on the interaction, lead to conformism, lack of “I”, complete subordination to communicative initiative and an interlocutor’s communicative style. The author represents the review of the borderlines of adaptation determined by the level it is expressed, approved, relevant and, as a result, influencing the outcome of communication.