This study evaluated two distinct aspects of social functioning (specifically, social support and social constraint) in an attempt to increase understanding of its bidirectional relationship with distress after cancer diagnosis. Participants in this intensive longitudinal study were all recently diagnosed, first primary cervical or head/neck cancer survivors (n=47). Data collection involved a comprehensive baseline assessment and 30-day period of daily assessment (n=37) of key variables (i.e., social support, social constraint, and distress). Data were analyzed using unconditional and conditional multilevel linear models. None of the variables changed significantly over the 30-day period. On a typical day, social constraint and distress were predictive of one another (ps < .001). Social support and distress did not demonstrate a bidirectional relationship (ps > .05). In the context of cancer adjustment and survivorship, future interventions for distress should consider targeting social constraint and interventions for social constraint should consider targeting distress.