SOCIAL SUPPORT AS A FACTOR OF CHRONIC SOCIAL STRESS IN MEN OF OPEN CITY POPULATION (BASED ON THE MODEL OF TYUMEN)

Abstract

The aim of the work was to establish levels of social support in an open urban population for men aged 25–64 years.Material and Methods. Cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted in 1000 males using a representative sample formed by the method of «random numbers» taken from the electoral lists of the Central Administrative District of Tyumen, the response was 85.0%. Social support was evaluated using the Beckmann‑Sim test on the basis of the World Health Organization questionnaire «MONICA‑psychosocial».The results of the study showed that in an open urban population in men aged 25–64 years and in certain age groups, a predominantly low and medium index of close contacts was established. Men of working age are dominated by the medium-high and average index of social ties; in the sixth decade of life, the low index of social ties reaches an absolute maximum, a high index of social ties-an absolute minimum.Discussion. The scientific literature shows that people with high levels of social interaction have better health than those with low levels. Therefore, it is important to study the changes in the social support factor in the population as one of the protective social mechanisms that mitigate the negative consequences of stress. Conclusion. The patterns established in men of an open urban population according to the levels of social support are the scientific basis for planning socially-oriented preventive programs in medium-urbanized Siberian cities.