What is a characteristic of informal support?

Informal support is characterized primarily by its nature of being ongoing and unpaid. This type of support often comes from family members, friends, or community members who provide assistance without formal compensation or professional training. It is built on personal relationships and tends to be resourceful, flexible, and tailored to the individual needs of those involved. Informal support can encompass a wide range of help, including emotional, practical, and social assistance, making it a crucial aspect of caregiving and parenting.

The other options describe aspects that are not inherent to informal support. For example, support provided by trained professionals is typically part of formal support systems, which involve compensation and professional qualifications. Structured programs refer to organized and often funded initiatives, which again indicates a formal framework rather than the spontaneous, organic nature of informal support. Finally, focusing solely on physical health is a limitation not characteristic of informal support; it can include various dimensions of well-being, including emotional and social aspects.