Berlin Social Support Scales Research Articles

The role of peer social support on family psychological resilience in caring for Chronic Kidney Disease patients receiving hemodialysis

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a disease that necessitates continuous Hemodialysis (HD) therapy, and families, as primary caregivers in Indonesia, play a crucial role in caring for CKD patients. However, HD therapy places a significant burden not only on patients but also on their families, requiring fostering family psychological resilience to mitigate such a burden. Although peer social support is an important external factor in chronic disease, it is still underdeveloped. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the correlation between peer social support and family psychological resilience in caring for CKD patients receiving HD.This cross-sectional study used purposive sampling, engaging 134 families serving as caregivers for patients receiving HD therapy. The Berlin Social Support Scales (BSSS) and The Walsh Family Resilience Questionnaire (WFRQ) were adopted as instruments, and data were analyzed using univariate and Spearman tests.The majority of families reported high levels of peer social support (75,37%), predominantly originating from other members facing similar challenges related to caring for CKD patients. Additionally, a significant relationship was observed between peer social support and family psychological resilience (p-value<0.05), showing that higher levels of peer support corresponded to higher family resilience.In conclusion, there was a strong correlation between peer social support and family resilience in the context of caring for CKD patients. Healthcare professionals should integrate social support intervention by establishing social groups to enhance family resilience.

Stress and Coping Strategies among Women in Late Motherhood.

Background: The shifting reproductive age of women is reflected in European populations. Pregnancy in women older than 35 years is considered high-risk and can be an additional source of stress. The aim of this study was to assess the perceived stress of women experiencing late motherhood and the coping strategies used. Methods: The study was conducted in Poland by means of a diagnostic survey, using the COPE (Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced) Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Berlin Social Support Scales (BSSS), and a self-administered questionnaire. The study included 310 women who gave birth to their first child after the age of 35 and 313 respondents in a control group who gave birth before this age. Results: Based on the results, there were no statistically significant differences in feelings of stress among women who gave birth to their first child after the age of 35 (M = 18.33) compared to the control group (M = 18.14). However, statistically significant differences were observed regarding stress coping strategies. Conclusions: Women giving birth after the age of 35 were more likely to use strategies including active coping, planning, positive reformulation, acceptance, turning to religion, and seeking instrumental support.

Social support during pregnancy and the risk of postpartum depression in Polish women: A prospective study

Social support has been proposed as an important determinant of women's physical and emotional well-being during pregnancy and after childbirth. Our study aimed to examine the association between the risk of postpartum depression (PPD) and perceived social support during pregnancy. A web-based prospective study survey was conducted among Polish women. The level of social support was measured with the Berlin Social Support Scales during pregnancy. Four weeks after the birth the risk of PPD was assessed using the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale. Data from 932 mothers aged 19–43 (mean 30.95; SD 3.83) were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression. Higher perceived available support (emotional and instrumental), currently received support (emotional, instrumental and informational), satisfaction with the support, and sum of score were all associated with lower risk of PPD, after controlling for selected covariates (woman's age, socioeconomic status, parity status, place of residency, education, child's Apgar score, type of delivery, complications during birth, kin assisting the labor, breastfeeding). Our results suggest that the more social support the pregnant woman receives, the lower is her risk of PPD. Since humans evolved as cooperative breeders, they are inherently reliant on social support to raise children and such allomaternal help could improve maternal well-being.

Quality of life among residents of Gaza, Palestine: the predictive role of mental distress, fear of COVID-19, and social support

BackgroundLiving under siege and deteriorated health, social, educational, and economic conditions and isolation with scarce opportunities to fulfil basic needs and aspirations affect the civil population's mental health and perceived quality of life. In this cross-sectional investigation, we explored the consequences of mental distress, fear of COVID-19, and social support for QoL in the Gaza strip.MethodsNine hundred seventy nine (32.9% males; 67.1% females; mean age was 35.2 years; s.d. = 11.4) adults were recruited in the Gaza strip. We used the Fear for COVID-19 scale (FCS-19), The WHOQOL-BREF Scale, Berlin Social Support Scale (BSSS), Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS). Pearson correlation coefficient was computed to assess relationships between quality of life, fear of COVID19, mental distress, and social support; a hierarchical regression analysis was used to assess the association between QoL as the dependent variable and demographic variables and fear of COVID19, mental health, and social support as the independent variables.ResultsQoL was positively associated with perceived emotion, instrumental, and support seeking. Depression, anxiety, stress, and fear of COVID19 were negatively associated with quality of life. Gender was significantly associated with lower QoL. The study highlighted that the level of fear of COVID-19 was negatively influencing individuals' quality of life (QoL). This fear was negatively associated to psychological distress, gender, place of residence, and family type. Lower-educated and poorer participants had lower QoL scores. Conversely, female gender was notably linked to a lower QOL. The hierarchical regression confirmed that COVID-19 was an added burden for the Palestinian population. The fear of COVID-19 term added a 6.2% variance in QoL. In the final analysis, all predictors were statistically significant, with the fear of COVID-19 term recording a higher contribution of 22.5%, followed by depression term with 21.5%, perceived emotional 18.5%, income at 15.4%, and perceived instruments at 14.8% towards QoL.ConclusionsPractitioners and policymakers must consider the severe violation of human rights when developing psychosocial programs to intervene in the COVID-19 crisis.

Biopsychosocial determinant of quality of life of older adults in Pakistan and Canada.

The rapidly rising average age of the older adults has brought various global healthcare challenges. A core challenge is how to enhance their quality of life (QoL). The objective of the current study was to test the significance of biopsychosocial determinants of quality of life of older adults in Pakistan and Canada. A cross-sectional survey was carried out on a conveniently approached purposive sample of 1,005 older adults (Pakistani = 557 and Canadian = 448) of age range between 60 years and 80 years. The data were collected via demographic datasheet, World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Scale, Health and Lifestyle Questionnaire, General Self-Efficacy Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Berlin Social Support Scale. The results of hierarchical regression analysis showed that biopsychosocial factors (viz., health and lifestyle, chronic illness, self-efficacy, self-esteem, and social support) significantly predicted (R 2 = .27, and.68) quality of life of older adults in Pakistan and Canada, respectively, after controlling the demographic variables. Significant differences were found between Pakistani and Canadian older adults on biopsychosocial factors: Canadian older adults scored significantly higher on health and lifestyle, self-efficacy, and quality of life, and older adults in Pakistan scored significantly higher on self-esteem and social support. A significant amount of better QoL of older adults can be achieved through enhancing the biopsychosocial correlates of their QoL, both in Pakistan and Canada.

Mental health and quality of life of female breast cancer survivors in southeast Serbia

Background/Aim. Quality of life (QoL) is one of the outcome measures for patients with chronic diseases. Mental health issues often impact the QoL of cancer patients. Cancer patients with a good QoL have a longer life expectancy and are able to lead a more productive and social life. The aim of the study was to determine the association of mental health with the QoL, as well as to determine significant predictors of QoL in patients with breast cancer (BC). Methods. The study included 118 patients treated at the Specialized Breast Cancer Department of the Oncology Clinic of the University Clinical Center Nis. The study?s inclusion criteria were the presence of early-stage nonmetastatic BC and completed surgical treatment. The following questionnaires were used: the general sociodemographic questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire, Early Maladaptive Schema questionnaire - short form (SQ-SF), Flanagan?s Quality of Life Scale (QoLS), Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale, Berlin Social Support Scales (BSSS), Health Locus of Control. Results. A statistically significant negative correlation was found with emotional state, i.e., anxiety score, depressiveness score, total stress score, and physical aggression score, while QoL correlated positively with all subscales of the perceived social support (PSS) questionnaire. QoL was significantly different for patients with the following early maladaptive schemas: emotional deprivation, emotional inhibition, and a sense of entitlement/narcissism. Moreover, QoL differed significantly depending on partnership status, the presence of clinically significant anxiety, the presence of hormonesensitive cancer, the presence of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive cancer, and time since diagnosis. Multiple linear regression was performed, and depression and PSS had the highest share. Conclusion. In our study, the presence of depressiveness and PSS were the best predictors of QoL of BC survivors.

Students Well-Being and Internet Use During the Pandemic

The study Internet Use and Students Well-being aimed to investigate the relationship between Internet addiction (generated by excessive Internet use = more than 6 hours/day outside of compulsory activities, more than 3 consecutive months) (Tao R. and all, 2010) and student well-being, depression, and social anxiety in pandemic times when digital consumer behavior has changed due to the specific context. The correlational design was applied in the research carried out on a group of 35 students from years 2 and 3 of the Faculty of Political, Administrative, and Communication Sciences, Babeș Bolyai University, Cluj through a series of scientifically validated tests: Psychological Scale Well, Berlin Social Support Scales, Internet Addiction Test, Self-Reported Stress Questionnaire (PSS), Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, DASS21. The results obtained showed positive correlations between the consumption of digital products and well-being (.494), with a statistical significance of 0.003, (≤0.05), and digital consumption and social anxiety (.319) with a statistical significance of 0.002. (≤0.05). In the case of the correlation between digital product consumption and depression, the correlation was negative (-0.228), with no statistical significance188 (≥0.05). Social support / positive relationships with others have proven to be a mediator between well-being and internet consumption. The overall effect of well-being on Internet addiction was positive (0.296), but statistically insignificant (0.708, not ≤0.05). Internet consumption for students who have pursued their academic pursuit digitally is a challenge to maintain the mental or physical well-being of the moment or perspective.

Internet Use Disorders: Subjective Importance of Online Friends in the Context of Real-Life Social Support and Comorbid Mental Disorders

Introduction: Previous studies analyzing friendships with people only known through the Internet mainly focused on quantitative aspects (e.g., the number of online friends or the time spent with them). Little is known about the perceived quality of online compared to real-life friends in individuals with an Internet use disorder (IUD). This study aimed to analyze associations of the increased subjective importance of online friends and IUD by controlling for the perceived real-life social support and comorbid mental disorders. Methods: Based on a general population sample, 192 participants who were screened positive for risky Internet use took part in face-to-face clinical diagnostic interviews. IUD was assessed using the structure of the Munich-Composite International Diagnostic Interview (M-CIDI) and the adapted criteria of Internet gaming disorder in the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The number and the increased subjective importance of online compared to real-life friends were assessed with the Online and Real-Life Friends scale (ORLF), real-life social support was assessed with the Berlin Social Support Scales (BSSS), and comorbidity was assessed with the M-CIDI. Data were analyzed with binary regression models. Results: Of 192 participants with risky Internet use, 39 participants (19 men; age M = 29.9, SD = 12.2) fulfilled the criteria of IUD in the last 12 months. IUD was not associated with the number or perceived social support of online friends per se. In multivariate analyses, IUD was associated with increased subjective importance of online friends, independently from comorbid anxiety or mood disorders. However, when controlling for real-life social support, associations of IUD and increased subjective importance of online friends were no longer present. Conclusion: These findings highlight the necessity of therapeutic interventions aimed at strengthening social skills and engaging in real-life relationships in the prevention and therapy of IUD. Due to the small sample size and the cross-sectional analysis, however, further research is needed.

The role of social support and stress coping strategies in genetic screening for cancer predisposition – BRCA testing as an example

IntroductionIndividuals with monoallelic pathogenic variants in <i>BRCA1</i>/<i>BRCA2</i> genes are at an increased risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer. The results of genetic tests may present a stressor related to the fear associated with the impact of the diagnosis on an individual’s future.AimThe aim of the study was to verify the level of depression, anxiety, and stress in individuals waiting for the results of <i>BRCA</i> genetic tests. How personality traits, stress coping strategies and social support influence the level of mental discomfort was examined.Material and methods82 consecutive individuals completed an anonymous online survey consisting of basic information and five questionnaires: the Inventory for Measuring Coping with Stress (Mini-COPE), the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale (GAD-7), Polish adaptation of the Ten Item Personality Inventory test (TIPI-PL), and the Berlin Social Support Scales (BSSS).Results and discussionParticipants obtained the highest scores in Mini-COPE strategies: active coping, planning, positive reframing, acceptance, and seeking emotional support. The results of DASS-21 and GAD-7 indicate the level of depression, anxiety, and stress mainly in the normal range. The highest scores in the TIPI-PL test were obtained on the conscientiousness, agreeableness, and extraversion scales. Participants, who have already obtained the results had higher scores on the Need for Support Scale (BSSS).ConclusionsIn general, the situation of <i>BRCA</i> genetic testing is not causing significant negative mental discomfort. Nonetheless, the results indicate a significant role of social support in coping with stress in individuals who have already obtained the results of their genetic test.

Identification of Factors Affecting Self-Efficacy in Women with Spontaneous Pregnancy Loss.

Pregnancy loss is a difficult situation that can affect a woman's physical and psychological health, and thus requires appropriate management and support. An individual's sense of self-efficacy is an important factor in the process of coping with a problem. Therefore, an analysis of self-efficacy in women after spontaneous pregnancy loss is warranted, so as to establish its association with social support, socio-demographic variables, quality of care, and specific behaviors of the medical staff. The cross-sectional study was performed in a group of 610 patients hospitalized due to spontaneous pregnancy loss in hospitals in Lublin (Poland). The study used a diagnostic survey with questionnaires: Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), the Berlin Social Support Scales (BSSS), and a standardized interview questionnaire. Post-pregnancy loss patients rated partner support highest (M = 9.25), while the best-rated category of social support was perceived available instrumental support (M = 3.78). In relation to medical personnel, the quality of care provided by midwives was rated the highest (M = 4.57). The study demonstrated a statistically significant (p < 0.05) association between the selected socio-demographic factors and the specific types and sources of support on the one hand, and generalized self-efficacy on the other, in the patients after pregnancy loss who were studied. Socio-demographic factors that affected self-efficacy in the respondents included their relationship status and socio-economic standing. Self-efficacy is positively correlated with social support in women after pregnancy loss.

Depression during the COVID-19 pandemic among people living with HIV: Are low HIV/AIDS stigma and high perceived emotional support protective resources?

This study has two objectives: first, to examine changes in depressive symptoms among people living with HIV (PLWH) during the COVID-19 pandemic and, second, to verify the role of HIV/AIDS stigma and perceived emotional support (PES) in the heterogeneity of these changes. The participants were 392 people with a medical diagnosis of HIV who have undergone antiretroviral therapy. Depression was measured at three time points with 6-month intervals using the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). PES was evaluated with the Berlin Social Support Scales, and HIV/AIDS-related stigma was assessed with the Berger HIV Stigma Scale. Latent growth class modelling identified four trajectories of depression over the study period: three stable (very high, high, and very low) and one increasing. Both the very high and high stable trajectories had baseline values above the CES-D cut-off point for depression, suggesting that 57.6% of the sample was likely to be diagnosed with depression. After controlling for sociodemographic and clinical variables, stigma and PES were found to be significant covariates of the obtained trajectories; however, they did not protect against an increase in depression symptoms. There was no overall increase in depression symptoms among the PLWH participants during the pandemic, but this change in depression symptoms was heterogeneous. We observed the potential development of depression in initially well-functioning individuals despite their personal resources differing only slightly from those who remained resilient.

Spousal support and illness acceptance in breast cancer patients: the mediating function of meaning in life and sense of coherence

The explanation as to why married cancer patients are characterised by better adjustment to illness than unmarried patients is not fully understood. This article aims to investigate a parallel mediation effect of meaning in life and sense of coherence in the relationship of spousal support and illness acceptance in breast cancer patients. A total of 213 wo­men were included in this study. The Berlin Social Support Scales, the Personal Meaning Profile, the Sense of Coherence Scale, and the Acceptance of Life with the Disease Scale were used. Pearson’s correlation coefficient and mediation analysis were performed. The results showed significant correlations between spousal support, meaning in life, sense of coherence, and illness acceptance. Except for protective buffering support, meaning in life mediated spousal supports’ effect on illness acceptance. A sense of coherence mediated the relationship of perceived available support, actually received support, and protective buffering support in terms of illness acceptance. Meaning-based resources play a significant role in accepting the detrimental mental and physical consequences of breast cancer. Therefore, practitioners can incorporate these resources into rehabilitation programmes to improve adjustment to cancer.

Relationship between Positive Living and Social Support among Perpetually Professed Consecrated Women in the Archdiocese of Nairobi, Kenya

Positive living and social support are crucial factors that possibly enhance the wellbeing of perpetually professed consecrated women as they endeavor to serve God and humanity. This research attempted to investigate the relationship between positive living and social support among perpetually professed consecrated women in the Archdiocese of Nairobi, Kenya. The study addressed four objectives; to examine the levels of positive living, to investigate the levels of social support, to examine the relationship between demographic characteristics and positive living, and to establish the relationship between positive living and social support among perpetually professed consecrated women in the Archdiocese of Nairobi, Kenya. The participants were 320 perpetually professed consecrated women. The study used the correlational research design. It used proportionate stratified random sampling technique and simple random sampling technique. Positive Living Scale and Berlin Social Support Scale were used. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. Findings revealed that 54.8% (n = 176) of the respondents scored a high level of positive living, 34.6% (n = 110) of the respondents scored a moderate level of positive living, while 10.6% (n = 34) had a low level of positive living. On social support, findings showed 48.4% (n = 151) of the participants had a high level of social support, 44.6% (n = 144) scored a moderate level of social support, while 7% (n = 25) of the participants were at a low level of social support. The study established that there was a weak positive relationship between positive living and social support among perpetually professed consecrated women in the Archdiocese of Nairobi, Kenya (r = .104; P = .042). The study recommended that superiors of religious communities may try to be physically available, and also be ready to listen to their members and be able to understand them in order to enhance good emotional wellbeing that may enhance positive living. The study further recommended that the perpetually professed consecrated women in the Archdiocese of Nairobi Kenya, who were at low and moderate levels of positive living and social support, may be helped in counseling and psychological assessments so as to identify issues that could be responsible for low and moderate levels.

The emotional state and social support of pregnant women attending childbirth classes in the context of physical activity

Childbirth classes combined with elements of psychoprophylaxis and psychoeducation prepare women and their partners for childbirth and influence the level of their perceived stress and mood disorders. Participation in these classes may come as a form of support for pregnant women, or an opportunity to build self-efficacy and commence regular physical activity. The aim of this study was assess the emotional state, social support and self-efficacy of pregnant women attending childbirth classes, in the context of physical activity undertaken. The study included 101 pregnant women. The Berlin Social Support Scale (BSSS), the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used during their first day of attendance at the childbirth classes (initial survey; T1) and after 10 weeks of participation in these classes (final survey; T2). After 10 weeks of childbirth classes, there was a statistically significant change in the BSSS, specifically in the area of Perceived Available Support, GSES, PSS-10, and STAI X-2. There was no significant relationship established between the emotional state and the physical activity undertaken before and during pregnancy or with the social support received.

Perceived Social Support as a Predictor of General Health in HIV+ Patients: Moderating Role of Gender

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) affects the functioning of the human immune system (HIS). Objectives: To evaluate the predictive role of social support in general health among HIV+ patients, and the moderating role of gender between social support and general health. Methods: Cross-sectional study was carried out at the Jinnah Hospital Lahore, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Association of people living with HIV and AIDS Islamabad, and New Light AIDS control program (NGO) Rawalpindi from February 2019 to March 2020. Berlin Social Support Scale and General Health Questionnaire were used to assess perceived social support and general health among HIV patients. Results: Social support significantly predicted general health components (p &lt; .001), and significant moderating effect of gender (β= -.32, t = 2.49, p&lt;.05) was found between social support and general health among HIV patients. Conclusions: Social support emerged as a protective factor of general health in HIV+ patients in Pakistan that helped them to manage stress and fight with their illness. The high level of social support system tends to decrease general health problems among HIV + patients; however relationship between perceived social support and general health was stronger among women as compared to men.

PRELIMINARY PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF RELATIONAL BETRAYAL TRAUMA SCALE

The present study aimed to construct and validate an indigenous scale of relational betrayal trauma for young adults. Initially, 60 items were generated through deductive and inductive methods. A pilot study was conducted on university students and retained 39 items. Factorial validity of the scale was determined on a sample of (N=359) 115 male &amp; 244 female young adults, age ranged between 19 to 35 years from different universities of Punjab. Exploratory factor analysis was run on 28 items that were retained after pilot study. Subsequently, confirmatory factor analysis was run on a sample of (N=600) 300 male &amp;300 female young adults and 20 items were retained for the final scale. Furthermore, convergent and divergent validity of the scale was determined by using Berlin Social support Scale and Betrayal Response Scale respectively. The results show that relational betrayal trauma is a psychometrically valid measure to evaluate painful experiences of young adults in their nonromantic relationships in the context of Pakistani culture. Keywords: Relational betrayal trauma, Young adults, Factorial validity, Painful experiences, Non-romantic relationship.

Effects of the Humanized Nursing Model in Obstetric Nursing Based on the Use and Gratification Theory

Objective: To explore the application effect of the humanized nursing model in obstetric nursing based on the use and gratification theory. Methods: A total of 148 parturients who were hospitalized in the Obstetrics Department of our hospital from January 2018 to January 2020 were selected as the study subjects. The parturients were then divided into 2 groups, the study group and the control group, based on the order of maternal admission in a ratio of 1:1. Routine obstetric nursing was implemented for patients in the control group. For patients in the study group, an analysis of their needs for humanized care based on the use and gratification theory was performed and a humanized nursing model was constructed. The Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS), general self-efficacy scale (GSES-C32), and Berlin social support scale (SSS) were used to assess the depression, self-efficacy and social support of patients in the two groups before and after nursing. The pregnancy outcomes and nursing satisfaction of patients in the two groups were also compared. Results: There was no significant difference in the EPDS scores between patients from the two groups before nursing (P&gt;0.05). There was a significant reduction in the EPDS scores of patients from both groups after nursing, with greater reductions seen in patients from the study group than their counterparts in the control group (P&lt;0.05). There was no significant difference in the total efficiency expectation (EE-16), outcome expectation (OE-16) and GSES-C32 scores between patients from the two groups before nursing (P&gt;0.05). After treatment, there was a significant increase in these parameters in patients from both groups, with the increase being more pronounced in the study group than the control group (P&lt;0.05). There was no significant difference in the utilization of subjective support, objective support, social support and total scores between the two groups before nursing (P&gt;0.05). After nursing, there was a significant increase in the utilization of subjective support, objective support, social support and total scores in patients from both groups. The increase was more pronounced in the study group than in the control group (P&lt;0.05). The rates of cesarean deliveries, neonatal asphyxia and postpartum hemorrhage of patients in the study group were lower than those of patients in the control group (P&lt;0.05). The rate of nursing satisfaction in the study group was 97.30%, significantly higher than that of 86.49% seen in the control group (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: The humanized nursing model in obstetric nursing based on the use and gratification theory is a reliable strategy in obstetric nursing. It can reduce postpartum anxiety and depression, enhance self-efficacy and social support, improve pregnancy outcomes and increase nursing satisfaction.

Correlation between resilience and social support in mothers of young children with autism. Polish perspective

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to analyse the relationship between the level of resilience and the perceived social support, primarily emotional and instrumental varieties, among mothers of children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD).Participants and procedureThe study involved 143 individuals aged 26-51 years (M = 38.41, SD = 5.02), mothers of children with ASD. The Berlin Social Support Scales and the Resilience Scale were used as data collection tools.ResultsThere were statistically significant positive correlations between the perceived emotional and instrumental support and all the dimensions of psychological resilience.ConclusionsThe results are consistent with other results presented in a similar area, but the specific context of this study should be considered – in Poland, the medical model of disability still plays a dominant role, which means that little consideration is given to the needs and problems of families raising a child with disabilities.

Gender-Based Violence, Subjective Quality of Life, and Mental Health Outcomes Among Palestinian Women: The Mediating Role of Social Support and Agency.

We tested the association between gender-based violence (GBV), subjective quality of life, and mental distress manifested by anxiety, depression, and stress among Palestinian women exposed to political and military violence. Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21, Berlin Social Support Scales, WHO-5 subjective Quality of Life Scale, Women's Agency Scale 61, and Violence Against Women Questionnaire were administered to 332 purposely selected participants. Structural equation modeling was applied to address the study hypothesis. A conceptual model depicting GBV as a predictor, mental distress as an outcome variable, and agency and social support as mediators was confirmed.

The Influence of Social Media Social Support on the Flourishing Homosexual Identity: A Case Study of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer (LGBTQ) Community in Accra-Ghana

The aim of the study was to explore the influence of social media and social support on the flourishing homosexual identity in Accra, Ghana. The objectives were to determine the extent to which social support influence’s homosexual identity, the correlation between homosexual identity and flourishing levels among homosexuals, to ascertain the extent to which media, emotional, and social support predicts how homosexuals flourish, and finally to as certain how differences in the level of education predict how homosexuals flourish in Accra, Ghana. A case study design was employed. The population for this study was associates of the homosexual Community in Accra-Ghana. Using a purposive sampling technique, 142 homosexual respondents answered a standard questionnaire. Berlin Social Support scale (BSSS), Diener Flourishing scale Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Identity Scale were used on demographics, social support, flourishing, and lesbian, gay, bisexual identity. Data was analysed using simple linear regression, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient, and one-way analysis of variance. Results obtained indicated that social support does not predict homosexual identity among homosexuals in Accra. As an individual homosexual identity increases so does the level with which the individual flourishes. Thirdly, social media emotional, and social support was found to be a predictor of flourishing among homosexuals in Accra. Finally, the results also indicated that differences in the level of education do not predict how homosexuals flourish in Accra. The conclusion indicates that study has shown that differences in the level of education among homosexuals do not influence the extent to which homosexuals flourish.