Social Support Appraisals Research Articles

The Buffering Effect of Social Support on Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Function During Pregnancy

Recent studies suggest that effective social support during pregnancy may buffer adverse effects of maternal psychological distress on fetal development. The mechanisms whereby social support confers this protective advantage, however, remain to be clarified. The aim of this study was to assess whether individual differences in social support alter the covariation of psychological distress and cortisol during pregnancy. Eighty-two pregnant women's psychological distress and cortisol were prospectively assessed in all three trimesters using an ecological momentary assessment strategy. Appraisal of partner social support was assessed in each trimester via the Social Support Effectiveness questionnaire. In multilevel analysis, ambulatory assessments of psychological distress during pregnancy were associated with elevated cortisol levels (unstandardized β = .023, p < .001). Consistent with the stress-buffering hypothesis, social support moderated the association between psychological distress and cortisol (unstandardized β = -.001, p = .039), such that the covariation of psychological distress and cortisol increased with decreases in effective social support. The effect of social support for women with the most effective social support was a 50.4% reduction in the mean effect of distress on cortisol and a 2.3-fold increase in this effect for women with the least effective social support scores. Pregnant women receiving inadequate social support secrete higher levels of cortisol in response to psychological distress as compared with women receiving effective social support. Social support during pregnancy may be beneficial because it decreases biological sensitivity to psychological distress, potentially shielding the fetus from the harmful effects of stress-related increases in cortisol.

How Older Female Spouses Cope with Partners’ Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

This research sought to better understand how older female spouses cope with a partner's coronary artery bypass graft surgery and to explore coping's relationships with life-change stress, cognitive appraisal, resilience, social support, and aspects of spouse's surgery. A sample of 96 women, aged from 55 to 81 years, completed surveys after their partner's surgery. Folkman and Lazarus' ways of coping (WCQ) scales yielded two factors in this sample—reactive coping and adaptive coping. Reactive coping, including more emotion-focused ways of coping from the WCQ, was associated only with more time spent anticipating spouses' surgeries. Women described the greatest use of ways of coping labeled adaptive, which in turn had significant relationships with greater resilience, social support, and positive appraisal of the surgical experience. Stepwise multiple regression found greater resilience, more frequent religious participation, and fewer children to be distinct predictors of adaptive coping. Nursing staff are encouraged to accept and normalize reactive coping, while facilitating adaptive coping with surgical stresses.

1512 – Predictors of posttraumatic growth in war displaced persons on the territory of bosnia and herzegovina

Researches indicate that traumatized people besides development of mental and physical disorders can experience positive changes. Investigate relationships between war trauma, social support, psychological distress and posttraumatic growth. Determine the predictors of posttraumatic growth in war displaced persons in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The test sample was composed of 71 refugees, who were due to war-related events been forced to leave the original residence, and their new residence is on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Subjects were recruited by snowballing method, and the starting point of inclusion in the study were acquaintances of the medical staff at the Clinical Hospital Mostar. The study used General Demographic Questionnaire, the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire-version for BiH (HTQ), Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), Social Support Appraisals Scale (SS-A) and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. In the first predictive model (R2=0.053; F=4.889; P=0.030) that included BSI, HTQ and SS-A questionnaires, a linear regression analysis showed that a stronger social support leads to greater posttraumatic growth (standardized β coefficient=0.257; P=0.030), same as greater sensitivity in interpersonal relationships (standardized β coefficient=0.698; P=0.014), while growth in the number of positive psychological symptoms have a negative impact on posttraumatic growth (standardized β coefficient=-1.008; P=0.042). In the second predictive model (R2=0.043; F=1.226; P=0.299), of all demographic factors only the economic status was a significant predictor, where persons with stable economic status had greater posttraumatic growth (standardized β coefficient=0.337; P=0.040). Social support is significant positive predictor of posttraumatic growth, which is also supported by sensitivity in interpersonal relationships.

Validation of alternative indicators of social support in perinatal outcomes research using quality of the partner relationship

To test alternatives to the current research and clinical practice of assuming that married or partnered status is a proxy for positive social support. Having a partner is assumed to relate to better health status via the intermediary process of social support. However, women's health research indicates that having a partner is not always associated with positive social support. An exploratory post hoc analysis focused on posttraumatic stress and childbearing was conducted using a large perinatal database from 2005-2009. To operationalize partner relationship, four variables were analysed: partner ('yes' or 'no'), intimate partner violence ('yes' or 'no'), the combination of those two factors, and the woman's appraisal of the quality of her partner relationship via a single item. Construct validity of these four alternative variables was assessed in relation to appraisal of the partner's social support in labour and the postpartum using linear regression standardized betas and adjusted R-squares. Predictive validity was assessed using unadjusted and adjusted linear regression modelling. Four groups were compared. Married, abused women differed most from married, not abused women in relation to the social support, and depression outcomes used for validity checks. The variable representing the women's appraisals of their partner relationships accounts for the most variance in predicting depression scores. Our results support the validity of operationalizing the impact of the partner relationship on outcomes using a combination of partnered status and abuse status or using a subjective rating of quality of the partner relationship.

Spirituality and self-efficacy in dementia family caregiving: trust in God and in yourself

Research indicates that spirituality and self-efficacy have been associated with higher levels of caregivers' well-being. However, these two concepts have rarely been examined simultaneously. The aim of this study was to analyze the combined effect of spirituality and self-efficacy on the caregiving stress process. The study design was cross-sectional. Dementia family caregivers (n = 122) were assessed in relation to the following variables: stressors (time since caregiving began, daily hours caring, frequency of behavioral problems, patient's functional status); appraisal (caregiver's appraisal of behavioral problems), caregiver's personal resources (self-efficacy, spiritual meaning, social support), and outcomes (depression and anxiety). Participants were divided into four groups corresponding to four profiles defined by their scores on spiritual meaning and self-efficacy: LELS = Low self-efficacy and low spirituality; HELS = High self-efficacy and low spirituality; LEHS = Low self-efficacy and high spirituality; and HEHS = High self-efficacy and high spirituality. No differences were found between groups in stressors, appraisal, or personal resources. Caregivers in the HEHS group had significantly less depression compared to the LEHS group. Regression analysis showed that being a HEHS caregiver, low appraisal of behavioral problems and high social support were associated with low caregiver depression. Only high appraisal of behavioral problems was associated with high levels of anxiety. The results of this study suggest that spirituality and self-efficacy had an additive effect on caregivers' well-being. A high sense of spiritual meaning and a high self-efficacy, in combination, was associated with lower levels of depression in caregivers.

Cross-Ethnicity Measurement Equivalence of Family Coping for Breast Cancer Survivors

Objective: The current study examines the equivalence of a measure of family coping, the Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation scales (F-COPES), in Chinese American and Korean American breast cancer survivors (BCS). Methods: Factor structure and cross-ethnicity equivalence of the F-COPES were tested using structural equation modeling with 157 Chinese American and Korean American BCS in California. Results: Of the original F-COPES subscales, acquiring social support, reframing, and passive appraisal did not adequately fit the data. Thus, a modified five-factor structure of the F-COPES was created. The modified F-COPES was validated with respect to quality of life, psychological distress, and family communication. Conclusions: The findings illustrate the importance of cross-ethnicity measurement testing and provide a rationale for developing culturally tailored measurements for ethnic minority populations.

The impact of social support on the relationship between trauma history and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in motor vehicle accident victims.

The present study examined how different types of social support differentially moderated the relationship between trauma history characteristics and the development of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSS) following a motor vehicle accident (MVA). Two hundred thirty-five MVA victims self-reported levels of social support and trauma history, and were evaluated for PTSS 6- and 12-months post-MVA. Results indicated that after controlling for gender, injury severity and income, number of prior trauma types and subjective responses to prior traumatization predicted subsequent PTSS (ps < .05). Appraisal social support was a significant moderator of the total number of types of trauma (appraisal: 6-months β = -.16, p < .05; 12-months β = -.17, p < .05) and subjective physical injury during the prior trauma (appraisal: 6-months β = -.14, p < .05; 12-months β = -.19, p < .05) in predicting PTSS. Results underscore the importance of examining both trauma history and social support as multi-dimensional constructs and suggest merit to addressing social support in trauma victims with a prior trauma history.

Social Support as a Moderator for Alcohol-Related Partner Aggression During the Transition to Parenthood

Alcohol-related partner aggression is a pervasive social problem throughout various life stages, including the transition to parenthood. Previous research shows that alcohol use is associated with partner aggression perpetration for both men and women; however, not all individuals who consume alcohol act aggressively. In this study, the moderating effects of general social support and partner-specific support on the association between prepregnancy alcohol use and recent partner physical aggression are investigated using a community sample of 98 pregnant couples. For men, high levels of general appraisal social support (i.e., someone to talk to about one's problems) increases the strength of the association between alcohol use and aggression perpetration, whereas partner-specific emotional support serves as a buffer. For women, general social support is not a significant moderator, but high levels of partner-specific instrumental support strengthens the association between alcohol use and aggression. These results can be applied to prevention and treatment programs for alcohol-related partner aggression.

Prisoners’ Perceptions of Father-Child Relationships and Social Support

Incarcerated fathers (N = 185) in a maximum security prison were interviewed about their relationship with their children and their perceptions of social support. The OLS regression on social support included the inmates’ perception of the father-child relationship and other factors (demographic, sentence, child-related, and program participation). Results indicate the fathers’ perception of the relationship with their children made a positive contribution to their appraisal of social support from all sources. “Other” program participation and being African American were related to the fathers’ perception of social support from others. Recommendations include using social support strategies in pre-release and post-release programs.

Relations Between Media, Perceived Social Support and Personal Well-Being in Adolescence

This paper’s main objective is to show relations between interest in media, perceived social support and adolescents’ personal well-being. For this purpose, 1,589 Brazilian adolescents answered a questionnaire containing Cummins’ Personal Well-Being, Vaux’s Social Support Appraisals and Casas’ interest in media scales. The media in study are: The Internet, computer games, video games, computer, cell phone and television. For the data analysis this research used Structural Equation Modeling, a statistical methodology based on the confirmation of hypotheses previously established by theoretical frameworks on data. A final model of relations between media, support and well-being was obtained with a fit considered satisfactory by the literature. Implications of media on adolescents’ well-being based on this model are considered.

Gender differences in animal models of posttraumatic stress disorder.

Epidemiological studies report higher prevalence rates of stress-related disorders such as acute stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in women than in men following exposure to trauma. It is still not clear whether this greater prevalence in woman reflects a greater vulnerability to stress-related psychopathology. A number of individual and trauma-related characteristics have been hypothesized to contribute to these gender differences in physiological and psychological responses to trauma, differences in appraisal, interpretation or experience of threat, coping style or social support. In this context, the use of an animal model for PTSD to analyze some of these gender-related differences may be of particular utility. Animal models of PTSD offer the opportunity to distinguish between biological and socio-cultural factors, which so often enter the discussion about gender differences in PTSD prevalence.In this review, we present and discuss sex-differences in behavioral, neurochemical, neurobiological and pharmacological findings that we have collected from several different animal studies related to both basal conditions and stress responses. These models have used different paradigms and have elicited a range of behavioral and physiological manifestations associated with gender. The overall data presented demonstrate that male animals are significantly more vulnerable to acute and chronic stress, whereas females are far more resilient. The stark contradiction between these findings and contemporary epidemiological data regarding human subjects is worthy of further study. The examination of these gender-related differences can deepen our understanding of the risk or the pathophysiology of stress-related disorders.

Gender Differences in Animal Models of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Epidemiological studies report higher prevalence rates of stress-related disorders such as acute stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in women than in men following exposure to trauma. It is still not clear whether this greater prevalence in woman reflects a greater vulnerability to stress-related psychopathology. A number of individual and trauma-related characteristics have been hypothesized to contribute to these gender differences in physiological and psychological responses to trauma, differences in appraisal, interpretation or experience of threat, coping style or social support. In this context, the use of an animal model for PTSD to analyze some of these gender-related differences may be of particular utility. Animal models of PTSD offer the opportunity to distinguish between biological and socio-cultural factors, which so often enter the discussion about gender differences in PTSD prevalence.In this review, we present and discuss sex-differences in behavioral, neurochemical, neurobiological and pharmacological findings that we have collected from several different animal studies related to both basal conditions and stress responses. These models have used different paradigms and have elicited a range of behavioral and physiological manifestations associated with gender. The overall data presented demonstrate that male animals are significantly more vulnerable to acute and chronic stress, whereas females are far more resilient. The stark contradiction between these findings and contemporary epidemiological data regarding human subjects is worthy of further study. The examination of these gender-related differences can deepen our understanding of the risk or the pathophysiology of stress-related disorders.

Videoconference program enhances social support, loneliness, and depressive status of elderly nursing home residents

Objectives: The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a videoconference intervention program in improving nursing home residents’ social support, loneliness, and depressive status. Methods: Fourteen nursing homes were selected from various areas of Taiwan by purposive sampling. Elderly residents (N = 57) of these nursing homes, who met our inclusion criteria were divided into experimental (n = 24) and control (n = 33) groups. The experimental group received five min/week of videoconference interaction with their family members for three months, and the control group received regular care only. Data were collected through face-to face interviews on social support, loneliness, and depressive status using the Social Supportive Behavior Scale, University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale, and Geriatric Depression Scale, respectively, at three points (baseline, one week, and three months after baseline). Data were analyzed using the generalized estimating equation approach. Results: Subjects in the experimental group had significantly higher mean emotional and appraisal social support scores at one week and three months after baseline than those in the control group. Subjects in the experimental group also had lower mean loneliness scores at one week and three months after baseline than those in the control group, and lower mean depressive status scores at three months after baseline. Conclusion: Our videoconference program alleviated depressive symptoms and loneliness in elderly residents in nursing homes. Our findings suggest that this program could be used for residents of long-term care institutions, particularly those with better ability to perform activities of daily living.

Heart and Soul Physical Activity Program for African American Women

African American women are less physically active than White women and have a higher prevalence of inactivity-related diseases. Increased physical activity is known to reduce the risks for many chronic diseases. Positive health behavior changes have resulted from health promotion interventions conducted in African American churches. Eighteen midlife African American women participated in the Heart and Soul Physical Activity Program (HSPAP), a church-based physical activity intervention conceptualized in appraisal, belonging, tangible, and self-esteem domains of social support. Feasibility of the HSPAP was tested by determining changes in time and intensity of physical activity and social support for physical activity from baseline to 6 weeks. Data analyses were conducted utilizing paired t tests. Significant increases in time spent in physical activity from a mean of 412 min/week at baseline to 552 min/week at 6 weeks were noted. Participants reported increases in social support for physical activity in the 6-week study.

Comparing adolescents’ adjustment and family resilience in divorced families depending on the types of primary caregiver

This study compared three different types of primary caregiver in divorced families: father, mother and grandparent(s) and aimed to (1) compare adolescents' perception of their level of adjustment and family resilience and (2) identify the family resilience predictors of adolescents' adjustment. The Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation guided this study. Survey. Adolescents in divorced families in Korea (n = 178) completed self-administered questionnaires. Family resilience was measured by Family Hardiness Index, Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scale, Parent-Adolescent Communication Inventory, Social Support Appraisal Scale, Belief about Parental Divorce and Self-Esteem Scale. Korean-Child Behaviour Checklist was used to assess adolescents' adjustment. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, anova, ancova and multiple regression analysis were used for data analysis. The level of adolescents' adjustment was not statistically different among the three groups. However, statistically significant differences were found in family hardiness, family communication and problem-solving/coping skill-seeking help among the family resilience measurements. Adolescents living with mothers reported the highest scores in family hardiness and family communication. The grandparent(s) group sought and accepted help outside of the family more often than did the other groups. Regardless of the types of primary caregiver, a common significant predictor for adolescents' adjustment was their positive belief about parental divorce; whereas high self-esteem and low level of seeking help were additional predictors for the father group and grandparent(s) group, respectively. Adolescents' belief about parental divorce is a major predictor for adolescents' adjustment to divorced family life. Nursing services that maximise the family resilience predictors found in this study would enhance adolescents' adjustment in divorced families. This study provides empirical evidence for nursing care of adolescents who live with differing primary caregivers in divorced families and enhances nurses' understanding of family resilience predictors that influence adolescents' adjustment in divorced families.

Perceived social support and self-esteem in adolescence

This study investigates the relation between perceived social support levels and self-esteem levels of adolescents. It is a descriptive study. Participants were 257 adolescents from different high schools from Burdur, in Turkey. Data were collected by Social Support Appraisals Scale For Children and Adolescents with Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory Short Form. Results showed that according to gender, there is a statistically significant difference on the perceived peer and teacher support levels however there is no difference on self-esteem levels. A statistically significant positive relation between perceived social support levels and self-esteem levels of adolescents was found.

The impact of significant others’ actual appraisals on children’s self-perceptions: What about Cooley’s assumption for children?

The aim of this paper was to study the construction of children’s self-perception relying on Cooley’s hypothesis. More precisely, we were interested in the mediation effect of significant others’ actual appraisal on self-perception by the perception of others’ actual appraisal (i.e., reflected appraisal). First, we argued that this mediation effect would occur in the domains where children have feedback from significant others (here teacher or parents). Second, we took into account two measures of reflected appraisal: reflected appraisal assessed in a classic fashion and appraisal social support assessed with Harter’s scale (1985b). We argued that reflected appraisal assessed in a classic fashion would be a better mediator of the effect of actual appraisal on self-perception by reflected appraisal in comparison to appraisal social support. In order to test these hypotheses, we conducted a study with 126 children (age 8–9), 106 parents and six teachers. The results, taken as a whole, support these hypotheses.

Psychological Adjustment to Conjugal Bereavement: Do Social Networks Aid Coping following Spousal Death?

This research sought to investigate the role of social networks in coping and adjustment to spousal bereavement. A total of 198 Xhosa-speaking participants, drawn from the rural areas of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, took part in the study. Quantitative data analyses revealed significant correlations between perceived social support on Social Support Appraisals scale and the anxiety scores on the Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition and the problem-solving coping strategy scale on the Coping Strategy Indicator. Regression analyses revealed that depression contributed to increased social support appraisals, while anxiety was a significant negative predictor of the participants' experience of perceived social support. The authors highlight the need for bereavement intervention programs in the rural areas to be geared toward psycho-educating the conjugally bereaved individuals, within the socio-cultural framework, to continuously evaluate their support structures and strengthen ties with social networks that render support, instrumental assistance, and advice in times of need.

The Effectiveness of a Community Group Intervention Program on Adjustment to Separation and Divorce

This study explores adjustment to separation and divorce and the effects of participating in a small regional community agency group intervention program. Prior to participation in group intervention, participants were interviewed for suitability and invited to complete the pre-intervention questionnaires comprising demographics, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Social Support Appraisal Scale and the Fisher Divorce Adjustment Scale. Of the forty-four participants that started the program, twenty females and ten males completed the group intervention program. Following completion, the post-intervention questionnaires were administered to participants. Some differences in adjustment to separation and divorce were noted for men and women pre-intervention on the Social Support Appraisal Scale. However, no gender differences were noted on the adjustment scales post-intervention. Overall, the results indicate that participants made significant adjustment gains following participation on all adjustment scales. This result implies there are short-term benefits of attending a group intervention program aimed at improved adjustment to separation and divorce.

Vital Defenses

Guided by the conceptual frameworks of social support appraisal mechanisms and cultural variant perspectives, the reported experiences of 23 Black grandmothers parenting grandchildren who receive cash assistance under the current welfare program, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), were used to integrate macro- and micro-level perspectives by exploring mechanisms used to appraise social support resources within a historical context. Mechanisms of social support appraisals included personal esteem (i.e., adaptive pride, self-reliance, and personal resources) and social penetration (i.e., family respect and responsibility, reaction to myths or stereotypical views held about poor people, and normative child-centered activities) as economically poor grandmothers demonstrated strong personal integrity and familial responsibility. Grandmothers relied on a wide range of sources for formal and informal support to provide for their grandchildren. Recommendations for future research are discussed to fortify established family defenses.