Social Support and Disability

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of social support variables, personality, clinical variables (New York Heart Associations classification), and social disability upon depression. The sample consisted of 119 clinically stable patients (34 females, 85 males) with symptomatic heart failure, recruited from an outpatient hospital practice. The patients underwent a brief physical examination and completed a set of questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were used to characterise the patients' informal functional network. The analysis revealed that the intimate social network support (spouses) and primary social network support (close family) were rated as most supportive. Results from the path analysis showed that social disability was explained by the two personality factors, neuroticism and extraversion, and by the severity of disease (NYHA). No significant effects of the social support variables upon social disability were detected. Moreover, path-analyses showed that poor intimate network support, social disability and neuroticism were significantly positively associated with depression.

This chapter provides an overview of Cullen’s (Justice Q 11:527–558, 1994) social support theory. Different aspects of social support theory, from its definitional and measurement challenges, its broader contributions to criminological thinking, the bulk of research testing its main propositions at different levels of analysis, and its policy implications are discussed throughout the chapter. Overall, the current chapter reaffirms the theoretical, empirical, and policy value of social support theory. First, social support maintains theoretical relevance and provides promising directions to move the field forward. Social support theory highlights the prosocial facets of human relationships and the support provided by an individual’s social environment. Social support theory constitutes an integrative approach that builds on other mainstream criminological theories to better understand differences in criminal involvement at the individual level and differential crime rates across different ecological units. Thus, social support is deemed to reduce crime directly but also indirectly by affecting criminogenic factors such as social control, social learning, or strain and moderating their effect on crime. Second, different tests of social support theory have shown its empirical validity. However, tests of social support theory—using comprehensive measures of the construct—are still in short supply. More research on the different propositions of social support is needed. Third, social support has important policy implications. Social support theory focuses on individuals’ social environments and in prosocial human relationships, rather than individuals themselves. Thus, social support theory expands the set of policy targets beyond the individuals to their families, communities, and a broad set of government and non-government institutions and allows to think alternative crime reducing and security building policies.

Objective To identify the status of social support and social function in laryngectomee and to explore the impact of social support on social function.Methods Sixty-six laryngectomee were received questionnaire surveys using social support rating scale (SSRS) and social disability screening schedule (SDSS).Results The social support in the laryngectomee was at the general level; the social function disability existed in 90.91% of laryngectomee; the various dimensions of social support and social disability status were negatively correlated, in which the most significant correlation was between the support utilization and the social function disability.Conclusions Upgrading the social support level to the laryngectomee can improve their social function.When the material and moral support is given to the laryngectomee, the utilization of the support should be concerned.The laryngectomee need encouragement to full use of the social support. Key words: Laryngeal tumor; Laryngectomy; Social support; Social function

Alcohol dependence poses a significant challenge to the health and well-being of individuals and communities. This quantitative study investigated the relationship between alcohol dependence and social support among alcoholic patients undergoing treatment at Machakos Level 5 Hospital, Machakos County, Kenya. A correlational research design was used, with a sample of 320 alcohol dependents aged between 18 and 60 years, drawn from a target population of 1,200 patients. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were the data collection tools. The theoretical framework was based on the Behavioral Economic Theory of Addiction and Social Support Theory. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, with descriptive statistics including frequencies, percentiles, means, and standard deviations. Inferential statistics included Pearson’s correlation and the Chi-square test. The study found that 55.6% of respondents had high levels of alcohol dependence, while 66.3% had high levels of social support. A positive moderate correlation was observed between alcohol dependence and social support (n = 320, r = .402, p = .000), indicating that higher levels of social support were associated with higher levels of alcohol dependence. The study recommended strengthening psychological and social support interventions to enhance recovery efforts among alcoholic patients.

Prejudice and discrimination have been associated with mental and physical health disparities among people with disabilities (Emerson, 2010) and sexual minorities (American Psychological Association [APA], 2012b). Subtle everyday communications of prejudice, known as microaggressions, are one form of oppressive experience that contribute to minority stress among these groups. As sexual minority people with disabilities (SMPWDs) embody at least two marginalized statuses, they may face unique levels of risk. While social support has been posited to buffer against the negative effects of minority stress (Meyer, 2003), the relationship between microaggressions and perceived social support is currently unknown. This study is among the first to explore the relationship between microaggressions and social support in a multiply marginalized community. One-hundred and 92 sexual minority (i.e., bisexual, gay, lesbian, pansexual, queer, questioning, same-sex/gender attracted) participants with physical disabilities completed measures related to microaggressions, social support, and mental health via an online survey. Results suggest that for SMPWDs, greater ableist microaggressions within sexual minority communities were associated with lower satisfaction with LGBTQ social supports. In addition, ableist and homonegative microaggressions within sexual minority and disability communities, respectively, were related to greater depressive symptoms. Social support was not found to moderate the relationship between microaggressions and mental health. Implications for practice, training, advocacy, and future research are discussed, such as raising critical consciousness about microaggressions and mental health, using an intersectional framework when working with SMPWDs, engaging in inclusive advocacy toward policy change, and future studies on microaggressions and social support using diverse samples. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Impairment and burn injury outcomes are often influenced by an intermingling of physical and psychosocial factors. We hypothesized that patients without insurance would be more likely to return home. We also believed that patients with inadequate social support would be less likely to return home. The data for this report comes from a prospective study of 252 patients aged 16 and older who were discharged from an acute burn unit between February 2004 and December 2006. As a group, only 4 of 71 uninsured patients were discharged to post-acute inpatient care, compared to 48 of 181 insured patients. Of the 200 patients discharged to home, 92% had adequate social support. Of the 52 patients not discharged directly to home, only 38.5% had adequate support. By using a chi-square analysis, patients with social support were 44.642 times more likely to be discharged to home when compared to patients without social support. Patients without insurance were almost seven times more likely to be discharged to home. Average Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores were assessed. The group with the lowest FIM scores are patients lacking adequate social support; subjects in this group are also generally older in age. In contrast, our uninsured group has significantly higher FIM scores, and also tends to be younger in age. Physical predictors of disposition include TBSA of injury, age, sex, and presence of inhalation injury. Our study illustrates that social support and access to insurance are important variables that predict outcome and disposition.

Soutien social, dépression et estime de soi chez les personnes âgées : les résultats d’une analyse en cluster

PurposeSelf-management behavior (SMB) plays a significant role in glycemic control. This study aimed to explore the factors related to SMB among patients with type 2 diabetes and how these factors interacted with each other.Patients and MethodsPatients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were recruited from 18 community healthcare stations (CHSs) from six community healthcare centers (CHCs) in Beijing, China from April to May in 2017. Motivation, competence, autonomy support, social support, self-management skills, adherence to self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) measurement were tested by questionnaire. Correlation analysis and path analysis were performed so as to identify the factors associated with patients’ SMB.ResultsA total of 532 participants completed this study. Participants who have good compliance to SMBG got higher scores in social support (F = 7.68, p = 0.01), competence (F = 10.47, p = 0.01), and skills (F = 12.34, p < 0.01). Higher competence (β = 0.03, P < 0.001), higher social support (β = 0.01, P < 0.001), better skills(β = 0.01, P < 0.001) directly led to better adherence to SMBG. Social support had a positive effect on autonomy support (β = 0.69, P < 0.001), motivation (β = 0.45, P < 0.001), competence (β = 0.28, P < 0.001), skills (β = 0.14, P < 0.001), which was also indirectly linked to better adherence to SMBG. Better self-management skills directly led to better adherence to HbA1c measurement (β = 0.03, P < 0.001). Social support had a positive effect on autonomy support (β = 0.69, P < 0.001), motivation (β = 0.45, P < 0.001), competence (β = 0.28, P < 0.001), skills (β = 0.14, P < 0.001), which was also indirectly linked to better adherence to HbA1c measurement.ConclusionSelf-determination theory and social support theory were practical in explaining SMB in Chinese population. Competence, motivation and social support played an important role in diabetic self-management. Paying attention to the promotion of individual’s intrinsic motivation and self-efficacy may be able to help patients maintain self-management behavior in the long-term routine.

BackgroundFor most people, home is the preferred place of care and death. Despite the development of specialist palliative care and primary care models of community based service delivery, people who are dying, and their families/carers, can experience isolation, feel excluded from social circles and distanced from their communities. Loneliness and social isolation can have a detrimental impact on both health and quality of life. Internationally, models of social and practical support at the end of life are gaining momentum as a result of the Compassionate Communities movement. These models have not yet been subjected to rigorous evaluation. The aims of the study described in this protocol are: (1) to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and potential effectiveness of The Good Neighbour Partnership (GNP), a new volunteer-led model of social and practical care/support for community dwelling adults in Ireland who are living with advanced life-limiting illness; and (2) to pilot the method for a Phase III Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT).DesignThe INSPIRE study will be conducted within the Medical Research Council (MRC) Framework for the Evaluation of Complex Interventions (Phases 0–2) and includes an exploratory two-arm delayed intervention randomised controlled trial. Eighty patients and/or their carers will be randomly allocated to one of two groups: (I) Intervention: GNP in addition to standard care or (II) Control: Standard Care. Recipients of the GNP will be asked for their views on participating in both the study and the intervention. Quantitative and qualitative data will be gathered from both groups over eight weeks through face-to-face interviews which will be conducted before, during and after the intervention. The primary outcome is the effect of the intervention on social and practical need. Secondary outcomes are quality of life, loneliness, social support, social capital, unscheduled health service utilisation, caregiver burden, adverse impacts, and satisfaction with intervention. Volunteers engaged in the GNP will also be assessed in terms of their death anxiety, death self efficacy, self-reported knowledge and confidence with eleven skills considered necessary to be effective GNP volunteers.DiscussionThe INSPIRE study addresses an important knowledge gap, providing evidence on the efficacy, utility and acceptability of a unique model of social and practical support for people living at home, with advanced life-limiting illness. The findings will be important in informing the development (and evaluation) of similar service models and policy elsewhere both nationally and internationally.Trial registrationISRCTN18400594 18th February 2015.

Chapter 17 - Low Social Support and Major Depression: Research, Theory and Methodological Issues

Based on social support theory and exercise promotion health theory, we verified the mediating role of exercise self-efficacy and health-related quality of life in the relationship between social support and the relapse tendency of Chinese people who struggle with drug addiction. Samples who had received traditional Chinese health-promoting exercise interventions over 3 months were recruited from two drug rehabilitation centres in Zhejiang Province ( n = 415). The participants completed the Social Support Rating Scale, Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale, Health Survey Short Form Questionnaire Chinese version, and Relapse Tendency Scale. Correlation analysis showed significant positive correlations between social support, exercise self-efficacy, and quality of life. In contrast, social support, exercise self-efficacy, and quality of life were negatively correlated with relapse tendency. In addition, intermediary effect analysis showed that social support has a direct negative predictive effect on relapse tendency in two ways: as an independent intermediary of exercise self-efficacy and as a chain intermediary of exercise self-efficacy and quality of life. Good exercise habits and adherence, as well as early establishment of social support, are beneficial not only for reducing craving and relapse behaviour but also for enhancing the quality of life of people who struggle with drug addiction, thereby facilitating the recovery efficacy for maintenance.

ABSTRACTPregnant women living with HIV represent one of the most high-priority groups for HIV treatment and health assessment. Although social support has been shown to be a protective factor for improved health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and depression and anxiety have been identified as two major causes of psychological distress among people living with HIV, it is still unclear how social support, anxiety, and depression interact to influence HRQoL. The objective of our study was to demonstrate the nature of predictors, direct effects and mediator effects among social support, anxiety, depression symptoms and HRQoL in pregnant women living with HIV. We investigated a total of 101 pregnant women living with HIV in Yunnan province in China from April 2016 to June 2016. All participants completed the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), the Chinese version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales (HADS) and Quality of Life instruments (EuroQoL Five Dimensions Questionnaire, EQ-5D). The relationships between the variables were examined by Pearson's or Spearman's correlation analysis. Predictor effects were tested using separate multiple regressions, controlling for demographic variables and HIV diagnosis variables. Direct and mediation effects of social support on HRQoL were tested using a structural equation model (SEM). Anxiety and depression symptoms were negatively correlated with subjective social support, support utilization, social support and HRQoL. Social support significantly predicted better HRQoL, and anxiety and depression symptoms significantly predicted poorer HRQoL. Anxiety and depression symptoms partially mediated the associations between social support and HRQoL. Anxiety and depression symptoms completely mediated the associations of objective support and support utilization with HRQoL. Interventions to improve HRQoL in pregnant women living with HIV must consider the mediation effect of anxiety and depression symptoms on the association between social support and HRQoL. Social support interventions are valid only when anxiety and depression symptoms are managed effectively.

Despite compelling evidence showing that social networks and social support are associated with depression, relatively little research is available on this topic for older Koreans at high risk of depression. This article aimed to examine the relationship among different types of social networks (family vs. friends), social support (instrumental vs. emotional), and perceived general health among older Koreans at high risk of depression. We would then test for possible differences in pathways between two age groups (60-74 years vs. 75 years and older). Using data from the 2008 Survey of Elderly Life and Welfare Need, age 60-74 years (n = 2,815) and age 75 years and older (n = 1,784) were analyzed separately. Path analyses were used to examine the relationships among social network, support, and health among Korean older adults at high risk of depression. Findings highlighted the complex associations among social networks, social support, and perceived general health within old age. Moreover, this study called attention to the negative association between instrumental support from family networks and perceived general health among older Koreans aged 60-74 years at high risk of depression. The work discussed in this article would help inform the design of much needed and effective social intervention programs for the growing number of Korean older adults with depression.

Physical activity (PA) and screen time (ST) are complex behaviors influenced by social factors such as relationships with family and friends, linked to mechanisms such as social support. This study implemented a segmentation-based social network intervention which is a promising approach to improving health-behaviors in a network. The objective was to determine the effects of a social network intervention through social support from friends and parents on PA and ST among adolescents. A cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 4 schools, 24 classrooms, with 787 adolescents. A segmentation-based social network intervention was implemented over ten weeks in physical education classes. Two components, ClassI involving friends support and ParentsI involving parents support was included. Follow-up was conducted at week ten post-intervention. A mixed-effects model was used to determine the effectiveness. Network mechanisms of perceived social support from friends most associated with PA and ST were explored. Findings indicated a significant increase of 12.2 daily minutes of PA in the intervention group (95% CI: 1.9 to 22.5, p = .02). Main effects suggest sustainability over time. Social support from friends and parents was significant (p < .001), and homophily was positively associated with PA (p < .05). For ST, a reduction of 56.7 minutes was observed in the intervention group (95% CI: −105.2 to −8.1, p = .02). Main effects indicate that the effectiveness for ST was not sustainable over time. Implementing a social support network intervention from friends and parents within physical education classes is effectively increased daily PA and decreased ST among adolescents.

PurposeSocial media platforms such as Reddit can be used as a place for people with shared health problems to share knowledge and support. Previous studies have focused on the overall picture of how much social support people who live with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) receive from online interactions. Yet, only few studies have examined the impact of social support from social media platforms on antiretroviral therapy (ART), which is a necessary lifelong therapy for PLWHA. This study used social support theory to examine related Reddit posts.Design/methodology/approachThis study used content analysis to analyze ART-related Reddit posts. Each Reddit post was manually coded by two coders for social support type. A computational text analysis tool, Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count, was used to generate linguistic features. ANOVA analyses were conducted to compare differences in user engagement and well-being across the types of social support.FindingsResults suggest that most of the posts were informational support posts, followed by emotional support posts and instrumental support posts. Results indicate that there are no significant differences within user engagement variables, but there are significant differences within several well-being variables including analytic score, clout score, health words usage and negative emotional words usage among social support types.Originality/valueThis study contributes to further understanding of social support theory in an online context used predominantly by a younger generation. Practical advice for public health researchers and practitioners is discussed.