Dimensions Of Support Research Articles

The Role of Social Support as a Predictor of Teacher's Subjective Well-being

This study aims to examine the role of social support as a predictor of subjective wellbeing in teachers. Participants in this study were 138 teachers (37 male and 101 female; 31 civil servants and 107 private/honorary teachers). SWB was measured with the Scale of Positive and Negative Experiences (SPANE) which measures the cognitive dimension including positive affect and negative affect and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) which measures the affective dimension of SWB. Social support was measured with R-MSPSS which measures the perception of social support received, which comes from the principal, colleagues, family, and friends. The results of descriptive analysis showed that most of the participants’ SWB was at a moderate level, both measured overall and in terms of each dimension (nswb=95 (68.1%); npositive=98 (68.8%); nnegative=93 (67.4%); nsatisfaction=93 (67.4%)). Hypothesis testing was done with regression analysis and it was found that social support acts as a predictor of teacher SWB (R=0.199; R2=0.0395; F=5.59; p=0.019). The results of the analysis per dimension of social support show that only support from family has a significant role as a predictor of SWB (p=0.002). This is possible because most of the participants are female so when teachers feel they get social support from their families, it can reduce stress levels, both from work and dual role conflict, thus affecting SWB. Keywords: social support, subjective well-being, teacher

Canonical correlation-based relationships between social support and sleep quality in a hospital psychiatric outpatient population with examining the mediating roles of anxiety and depressive symptoms

Objective: This study aims to examine the associations between various dimensions of social support and sleep quality in a hospital psychiatric outpatient population using canonical correlation analysis, while also investigating the potential mediating roles of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Methods: Employing a cross-sectional design, survey data were collected from 10,071 individuals visiting Hangzhou Seventh People’s Hospital between October 2020 and October 2023. After excluding invalid cases, a total of 10,063 participants were included for analysis. The survey encompassed gathering basic demographic information as well as administering the Social Support Rating Scale, Self-rating Depression Scale, Self-rating Anxiety Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Scale. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 27.0 statistical software with canonical correlation analysis employed to examine the relationships. Additionally, the mediating effects of anxiety and depression symptoms were examined using the SPSS PROCESS macro. Results: Canonical correlation analysis reveals a significant positive correlation between social support dimensions and various aspects of sleep quality. The first pair of canonical variables (r = 0.586, p < 0.001) accounts for an impressive 97% of the cumulative contribution. It is found that this pair of canonical variables explains 68.9% of the variance in social support and 49.0% in sleep quality. Mediation analysis revealed that anxiety and depressive symptoms significantly mediated the relationship between social support and sleep quality, accounting for 88% of the total effect. Specifically, anxiety accounted for 47% mediation while depression accounted for 41%. Conclusion: The study findings revealed a significant positive correlation between social support and sleep quality dimensions, indicating a robust association between increased social support and enhanced individual sleep quality. Furthermore, the results indicated that anxiety and depression partially mediated the relationship between social support and sleep quality, offering novel insights into the intricate connection between mental health and sleep quality.

“Feeling like” upholding conservative politics: The material and affective dimensions of women's support for AKP

Through progressive and regressive periods, during electoral victories or unexpected losses, Turkish women's support for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been critical. The appeal of conservative patriarchal politics for women have been largely overlooked but they support the ruling party not only by showing up at the ballot box but also by active engagement and volunteerism. This article investigates how women explain their support for a government that undermines their rights and freedoms. Looking at the emotional pathways that result in attachment to the party, I argue that women's compliance with and support for the AKP regime cannot be understood solely as typical vote buying or a bargain. Instead, following Sara Ahmed's conceptualization of emotions as the “sticky” element of women's relationship with the regime, I complement the material dimensions of support with emotions. I explore the idea that support for the regime is rooted in material and affective realms which emerges through three emotional pathways: gratitude for recognition and redistribution, altruistic and egoistic senses of pride, and denial of resentment toward the party. I conclude that hegemonic success is not only a political and cognitive achievement but also an affective one, a necessary distinction in discussions of feminisms.

THE EFFECT OF PARENTS’ ROLE AND SCHOOL CLIMATE ON ACADEMIC STRESS OF MADRASAH ALIYAH’S STUDENTS IN RURAL AND URBAN AREA

Adolescence is a period of transition from childhood to adulthood and is characterized by a storm-and-stress period influenced by conflict and mood swings, making adolescents vulnerable to stress. One form of stress commonly experienced by adolescents is academic stress. This study aims to analyze the effect of adolescent characteristics, family characteristics, parents' roles, and school climate on the academic stress of Madrasah Aliyah students in rural and urban areas. This research was conducted in five schools representing each sub-district: MA Mathlaul Anwar Barengkok, MA Mathlaul Anwar Cidokom, MA Al-Mukhlisin Ciseeng, MAN 1 Kota Bogor, and MAN 2 Kota Bogor. This study involved 180 students (86 rural and 94 urban students) selected using a purposive sampling. Data analysis included correlation tests, regression tests, and independent t-tests. The study showed that adolescent girls had higher academic stress than boys. The dimensions of support and pressure significantly positively affected academic stress. However, the frequency and school climate dimensions were not found to influence academic stress in this study. Keywords: academic stress, parent’s role, pressure, school climate, support

The assessment of the perceived stress and the quality of life in the patients with myasthenia gravis: The mediating role of the psychological capital and social support

Background: Stress has been known as a risk factor for the onset and modification of autoimmune disorders such as myasthenia gravis (MG). However, the patients can control their stress and improve their quality of life (QOL) using some factors such as psychological and social support. Psychological capital and social support play a key role in decreasing stress and improving QOL in the patients with MG. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the mediator role of the psychological capital and social support in perceived stress and QOL of the patients with MG. Methods: In the present cross-sectional study, 203 patients with MG, including 138 women and 65 men, were selected from Iran Myasthenia Gravis Association and Shariati Hospital, Tehran City, Iran, using available sampling. The selected patients completed the Myasthenia Gravis Quality of Life questionnaire (MG-QOL), Luthans Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and Cohen Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14). To assess the mediator role of the psychological capital and the perceived social support in the relationshipwith the perceived stress and QOL of the patients with MG, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used. Results: There was a significant negative relationship between the perceived stress and the variables of psychological capital (including hope, resilience, optimism, and self-efficacy), perceived social support dimensions (including support from important people, support from family, and support from friends), and QOL dimensions (including social activity and mental health) (P &lt; 0.01). The results also showed that the perceived social support dimensions (including support from important people, support from family, and support from friends) and the variables of psychological capital (including hope, resilience, optimism, and self-efficacy) had a significant positive relationship with the QOL in patients with MG (P &lt; 0.01). The indirect effect of perceived stress on the QOL through social support and psychological capital was 0.16 and 0.15, respectively, which was statistically significant (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: The present study results show that a part of the shared variance between the conceptual circles of the perceived stress and QOL in patients with MG results from variability in the psychological capital and social support.

A Categorical Framework of Ethical Leadership for Public Organizations: Testing a Multi-Dimensional Model of Local Government Managers

Organizational managers serve as ethical role models in their capacity as leaders. Mainstream research on ethics leadership is multidisciplinary, although empirical research is dominated by business administration and psychology scholars with less empirical work in public administration. This article develops and tests a categorical framework for ethical leadership behavior by applying it to data from a national survey of Chief Administrative Officers (CAO) of local governments in the United States. A Structural Equation Model (SEM) is used to test six dimensions of ethical leadership behavior and support is found for the model. This research is novel since it extends the ethical leadership research in business administration and psychology to local government managers and by extension, to public managers in general.

The effects of rehabilitation potential on activities of daily living in patients with stroke in Taiwan: a prospective longitudinal study.

This study aimed to explore the effect of three-dimensional rehabilitation potential on the activity of daily living (ADL) among patients with stroke in rehabilitation wards. Prospective longitudinal study. Two rehabilitation wards situated within a nationally recognized referral centre in Northern Taiwan, followed by subsequent discharge. A total of 101 participants were admitted due to either a primary or recurring incident of infarction or haemorrhagic stroke, subsequently being transferred to the rehabilitation ward of a medical centre. Not applicable. Rehabilitation potential included biological (swallowing ability, muscle power, and urinary incontinence), psychological (rehabilitation motivation and cognitive function), and social (social support) dimensions. The rehabilitation treatment outcome was activities of daily living measured using the Barthel Index. Time-variant variables, including swallowing ability, rehabilitation motivation, social support, and ADL, were collected at the time of transfer to the rehabilitation ward, 1-3 days before discharge, and 1 month after discharge. The results of the generalized estimating equations model revealed that poor swallowing ability, lower muscle power, and urinary incontinence in the biological dimension, along with lower rehabilitation motivation and moderate cognitive impairment in the psychological dimension, are significant indicators of rehabilitation potential among stroke patients. When the different dimensional rehabilitation potential was considered overall, both biological and psychological indicators can still predict ADL outcomes during and after inpatient rehabilitation therapy. Of these indicators, swallowing ability and rehabilitation motivation were positively correlated with ADL over time. Further, increased rehabilitation motivation enhanced the protective effect of swallowing ability on ADL. Important indicators of rehabilitation potential, which can predict ADL outcomes, were identified for stroke patients in the rehabilitation ward. Policymakers can design appropriate intervention plans to enhance the rehabilitation potential and improve the effectiveness of inpatient rehabilitation treatment for stroke patients.

Modifying the Refuse Chute Design to Prevent Infection Spread: Engineering Analysis and Optimization

Considering the presence of airborne viruses, there is a need for renovation in refuse chutes, regarded as the first step in recycling household waste in buildings. This study aimed to revise the design of existing refuse chutes in light of the challenging experiences in waste management and public health during the coronavirus pandemic. This research primarily focused on the risks posed by various types of coronaviruses, such as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and acute respiratory syndrome (SARS and SARS-CoV), on stainless steel surfaces, with evidence of their survival under certain conditions. Refuse chutes are manufactured from stainless steel to resist the corrosive effects of waste. In examining the existing studies, it was observed that Casanova et al. and Chowdhury et al. found that the survival time of coronaviruses on stainless steel surfaces decreases as the temperature increases. Based on these studies, mechanical revisions have been made to the sanitation system of the refuse chute, thus increasing the washing water temperature. Additionally, through mechanical improvements, an automatic solution spray entry is provided before the intake doors are opened. Furthermore, to understand airflow and clarify flow parameters related to airborne infection transmission on residential floors in buildings equipped with refuse chutes, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was conducted using a sample three-story refuse chute system. Based on the simulation results, a fan motor was integrated into the system to prevent pathogens from affecting users on other floors through airflow. Thus, airborne pathogens were periodically expelled into the atmosphere via a fan shortly before the intake doors were opened, supported by a PLC unit. Additionally, the intake doors were electronically interlocked, ensuring that all other intake doors remained locked while any single door was in use, thereby ensuring user safety. In a sample refuse chute, numerical calculations were performed to evaluate parameters such as the static suitability of the chute body thickness, static compliance of the chute support dimensions, chute diameter, chute thickness, fan airflow rate, ventilation duct diameter, minimum rock wool thickness for human contact safety, and the required number of spare containers. Additionally, a MATLAB code was developed to facilitate these numerical calculations, with values optimized using the Fmincon function. This allowed for the easy calculation of outputs for the new refuse chute systems and enabled the conversion of existing systems, evaluating compatibility with the new design for cost-effective upgrades. This refuse chute design aims to serve as a resource for readers in case of infection risks and contribute to the literature. The new refuse chute design supports the global circular economy (CE) model by enabling waste disinfection under pandemic conditions and ensuring cleaner source separation and collection for recycling. Due to its adaptability to different pandemic conditions including pathogens beyond coronavirus and potential new virus strains, the designed system is intended to contribute to the global health framework. In addition to the health measures described, this study calls for future research on how evolving global health conditions might impact refuse chute design.

Interoception mediates the association between social support and sociability in patients with major depressive disorder.

Interoception dysfunction has an important impact on the onset and development of major depressive disorder (MDD). Social support serves as a protective factor against MDD, and sociability also plays a significant role in this condition. These interconnected constructs-social support and sociability-play pivotal roles in MDD. However, no research on the mechanisms underlying the associations between social support and sociability, particularly the potential role of interoception, have been reported. To investigate the mediating effect of interoception between social support and social ability and to explore the independent role of social support in sociability. The participants included 292 patients with MDD and 257 healthy controls (HCs). The patient health questionnaire 9, the multidimensional assessment of interoception awareness, version 2 (MAIA-2), the social support rating scale (SSRS), and the Texas social behavior inventory (TSBI) were used to assess depression, interoception, social support, and sociability, respectively. A mediation analysis model for the eight dimensions of interoception (noticing, not distracting, not worrying, attention regulation, emotional awareness, self-regulation, body listening, and trust), social support, and sociability were established to evaluate the mediating effects. A partial correlation analysis of eight dimensions of the MAIA-2, SSRS, and TSBI scores, with demographic data as control variables, revealed pairwise correlations between the SSRS score and both the MAIA-2 score and TSBI score. In the major depression (MD) group, the SSRS score had a positive direct effect on the TSBI score, while the scores for body listening, emotional awareness, self-regulation, and trust in the MAIA-2C had indirect effects on the TSBI score. In the HC group, the SSRS score had a positive direct effect on the TSBI score, and the scores for attention regulation, emotional awareness, self-regulation, and trust in the MAIA-2C had indirect effects on the TSBI score. The proportion of mediators in the MD group was lower than that in the HC group. Interoceptive awareness is a mediating factor in the association between social support and sociability in both HCs and depressed patients. Training in interoceptive awareness might not only help improve emotional regulation in depressed patients but also enhance their social skills and support networks.

A Scoping Review of Outcomes Measured and Involvement of People With Intellectual Disabilities in Active Support Research.

Active Support is a staff practice that aims to increase engagement of people with intellectual disabilities. This study seeks to: (1) identify the outcomes of staff using Active Support and how these are measured; (2) identify how the views of people with intellectual disabilities have been included in Active Support research. A scoping review was conducted of peer-reviewed articles about Active Support published between 2009 and 2023. Sixteen articles were identified. Outcomes included engagement, the quality of staff support, choice and challenging behaviour. Structured observations were the most frequently used measurement method. Only two studies explored people with intellectual disabilities' perspectives about Active Support. Consistent use of similar measures is a strength of Active Support research. Including perspectives of people with intellectual disabilities may provide insight into dimensions of support not been measured and assist in further developing these measures and Active Support practice.

Mediating effect of health literacy on social support and self-care ability in older patients undergoing percutaneous coronary stent implantation.

Health literacy refers to individual skills to access, process, understand, and use health information to stay healthy. Social support is a multi-faceted construct including of perceived, enacted, and structural support dimensions and negative social reactions. This study explored the mediating effect of health literacy on social support and self-care ability in older patients undergoing percutaneous coronary stent implantation (PCI). Between December 2021 and March 2022, a total of 249 older patients who underwent PCI in our hospital were included in this cross-sectional study using the convenience sampling method. The demographic and health history of patients was collected by questionnaire. Exercise of self-care agency scale (ESCA), chronic disease health literacy management scale (HeLMS) and social support rating scale (SSRS) were also analyzed and their correlations were evaluated. This study indicated that the total scores of health literacy, self-care ability and social support after PCI were 85.96±20.03, 82.82±27.65 and 25.3±4.93, respectively. Correlation analysis showed that health literacy, social support and self-care ability were positively correlated. Both social support (P=0.003) and health literacy (P=0.03) could positively predict self-care ability. Health literacy played a partial mediating role between social support and self-care ability, and the mediating effect was 0.015, accounting for 7.32% of the total effect. The health literacy and social support are at the high levels, and the self-care ability of PCI patients is at a medium level. The health literacy of older patients after PCI is the ability of social support and self-care ability. Medical staff can enhance the health literacy of patients by improving their level of social support, and then promote their self-care ability.

A Loyal Base: Support for Authoritarian Regimes in Times of Crisis

Does citizen belief in the non-instrumental principles of the political regime, such as strongman leadership, patriotism, or attachment to a charismatic leader, collectively known as normative support, help stabilize authoritarian regimes? While a large literature recognizes that authoritarian regimes depend on popular support to lower the costs of staying in power, existing research mainly views mass support for these regimes as instrumental, fuelled by performance. Using novel experimental evidence from two original online surveys fielded in Turkey and observational data, we find high levels of normative support for Turkey’s authoritarian rule. Further, our results demonstrate that instrumental and normative dimensions of support may be more closely related than previously theorized. Importantly, we show that both forms of support prevent voter defections in times of crisis. These findings, which revisit the importance of citizens’ support for regime resilience, have implications for research on mass opinion and defection cascades in electoral autocracies.

Adaptive measures to deal with the next pandemic caused by climate change in at-risk groups

BackgroundThe intensity of the perceived stress during the pandemic is a very basic variable for the risk analysis and proper disaster response. The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the relationship between perceived stress and social support during covid-19 in diabetic patients in order to design a suitable plan for a possible pandemic.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 on 212 diabetics in Hormozgan province / southern Iran. Data were collected online using Whatsapp using social support and perceived stress questionnaires specific to COVID-19. Data were analyzed by SPSS 22 software using Pearson correlation coefficient tests.ResultsThe mean and standard deviation (SD) of the stress score was 18.46 ± 4.41. Mean ± SD of social support dimensions were emotional support 30.76 ± 5.96, information support 21.63 ± 4.56, instrumental support 32.48 ± 6.68, and evaluative support 23.53 ± 4.83. There was a significant correlation between emotional support (r =-0.377, P < 0.001) and instrumental support (r =-0.280, P < 0.001) with perceived stress.ConclusionThe inverse relationship between emotional and instrumental support and perceived stress in diabetic patients during the Covid-19 pandemic suggests that health promotion interventions focus on increasing these two forms of social support in order to reduce stress during disasters. Especially when there are warnings about the release of microbial agents from melting polar ice and the possibility of the next epidemic.

The Role of Dimensions of Social Support in the Relationship Between Stigma and Mental Health: A Moderation Analysis.

HIV stigma remains a barrier to good health and understanding how social support may reduce the negative impact of stigma on health may help with designing stigma interventions. This study aims to understand how different types of social support may moderate or change the nature of the relationship between stigma and mental health. We recruited 327 participants to complete the People Living with HIV Stigma Index at baseline (t1) between August 2018 and September 2019 and at follow-up (t2) between February 2021 and October 2021. Separate moderation models were created with different types of social support (emotional/informational, tangible, affectionate, positive social interaction) as moderators, baseline stigma (internalized, enacted, anticipated) as the antecedent, and mental health (t2) as the outcome. Emotional/informational support was a significant moderator for the relationship between enacted (b = -2.12, 95% CI: -3.73, -0.51), internalized (b = -1.72, 95% CI: -3.24, -0.20), and anticipated (b = -2.59, 95% CI: -4.59, -0.60) stigma at t1 and mental health at t2. Tangible support was a significant moderator for internalized stigma (b = -1.54, 95% CI: -2.74, -0.35). Lastly, positive social interaction was a significant moderator for internalized (b = -1.38, 95% CI: -2.71, -0.04) and anticipated stigma (b = -2.14, 95% CI: -3.93, -0.36). In general, the relationship between social support and better mental health was stronger for participants with low stigma. Intervention strategies aimed at both stigma reduction and boosting social supports with different functions may be important for improving the mental health of people living with HIV.

The Importance of Social Support in the Occurrence of Mental Disorders in Patients Suffering from Psoriasis Vulgaris

Psoriasis represents a global issue affecting approximately 1% of the Caucasian population, contributing not only to aesthetic concerns but also to stigmatization, social isolation, and an overall decline in quality of life. The chronic inflammatory state in the patient's body predisposes them to a higher susceptibility to anxiety and depressive disorders. Novel treatment methods, particularly monoclonal antibodies, may serve as a bridge between physical and psychological benefits. The research addresses the issues of psychological disorders in patients with common psoriasis and explores the impact of various dimensions of social support on the course of the disease. Topics covered include the etiopathogenesis of psoriasis, the connection between this dermatosis and an increased frequency of psychological disorders, as well as the bidirectional relationship between both disease entities. Four studies, encompassing clinical, demographic, and psychosocial variables, underwent analysis. Each study description includes statistical analysis, operationalization of variables, and a section dedicated to drawing conclusions. In the discussion section, a strong correlation between social support and the psychological state of dermatological patients is demonstrated. An integrated approach to the therapeutic process and the benefits of a holistic approach to issues related to chronic inflammatory diseases are also discussed. The theory of bidirectional relations between psoriasis and depression opens new possibilities for clinicians and psychologists. The work emphasizes that utilizing proven stress coping strategies based on various dimensions of social support can be a significant protective factor against psychological disorders associated with psoriasis. These actions have the potential to impact not only the psychological well-being of the patient but also to reduce the severity of skin symptoms. In light of this hypothesis, the study emphasizes the implementation of effective coping strategies in challenging situations, contributing to the improvement of the quality of life for patients with common psoriasis.

Dual career in the workplace: co-creation of a conceptual framework by employers and employee-sportspersons incorporating corporate social responsibility and brand alignment.

The purpose of this study was to provide an evidence base and conceptual framework to inform new guidelines for achieving a balance between sports and employment commitments (i.e., dual career, DC) of the employee-sportspersons. To shape a DC discourse in the workplace, the distinct and combined views of the employee-sportspersons (i.e., the Employee), the managers (i.e., the Employer) were considered. Following a concept mapping methodology, 257 international participants (25% employers and 75% employee-sportspersons) sorted and rated 50 potential statements associated with DC circumstances and supports in the workplace. Six distinct clusters emerged, with the combined employers-employee co-creation scenario assigning 6 statements to the micro dimension (Cluster 1 = Workplace Benefits), 4 statements to the meso dimension (Cluster 2 = Role of National Sports Governing Bodies), 19 statements to the macro dimension (Cluster 3 = Dual Career Policy Development), 4 and 5 statements to the organizational dimensions (Cluster 4 = Employee-Employer Collaboration and Responsibility; Cluster 5 = Sport Career Integration), and 12 statements to the policy (Cluster 6 = Workplace Strategies for Dual Career Support) dimension. With respect to the employers, the employee-sportspersons showed higher scores (p < 0.05) for importance of clusters 2, 4, and 6, and for feasibility of clusters 2 and 6. These findings suggest priorities for changes within the DC dimensions identified, and envisage flexible models for aligning corporate brand values and corporate social responsibility strategies through meaningful and proactive DC support of the employee-sportspersons in the workplace. The findings provide a rigorously derived evidence base to inform the formulation of new DC workplace guidelines.

Examining the Relationship Between Social Support, Self-Efficacy, Diabetes Self-Management, and Quality of Life Among Rural Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes in Eastern China: Path Analytical Approach.

Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in rural China frequently exhibit inadequate diabetes self-management (DSM) and a reduced quality of life (QoL). Social support and self-efficacy are known to influence DSM and QoL. However, the pathways through which social support and self-efficacy impact DSM and QoL among patients with T2D in rural China has yet to be fully elucidated. This study offers a foundation for developing policies in rural chronic disease management, thereby, contributing to the improvement of T2D prevention and control in China and other transitional countries. This study used a cross-sectional design, collecting data from a survey conducted between May and July 2021 on DSM and QoL among rural patients diagnosed with T2D in 2 townships in East China. All patients with T2D were enrolled through cluster sampling from the township health center database, and a questionnaire survey was administered by investigators. Structural equation modeling and multiple regression analyses were used to explore the pathways through which social support influences DSM and QoL, as well as the mediating role of self-efficacy. It was found that the DSM score (mean 37.42, SD 7.70) was less than half of the maximum theoretical score. The QoL score (mean 48.92, SD 8.88) accounted for 36% of the maximum theoretical score. Social support directly and positively affected the DSM and QoL of Chinese rural patients with T2D (P<.01); an increase of 1 unit in social support was associated with a direct increment of 0.339 units in DSM and 0.397 units in QoL. Self-efficacy played a positive mediating role (P<.01), further increasing DSM and QoL by 0.147 and 0.159 units, respectively. The mediating effect of self-efficacy accounted for 30.2% and 28.6% of the total effect of social support on DSM and QoL. Furthermore, the family and friend dimension of social support, along with the symptom and disease management dimensions of self-efficacy, were significantly associated with DSM or QoL (P<.01). The study confirmed the direct and indirect influences of social support on DSM and QoL and elucidated the mediating effect of self-efficacy among rural patients with T2D in eastern China. Interventions should be developed to enhance both social support and self-efficacy, creating a positive cycle of mutual reinforcement to improve DSM and QoL among this group.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Orthopedic Patients’ Emotional Distress: Moderated Effects of Family and Friends’ Support

Abstract Background: Research indicates that the psychological well-being of orthopedic patients can benefit from a robust social support system that offers emotional assistance both before and after surgery. However, the impact of social networks on mental health outcomes remains inconclusive due to variations in availability. Objectives: This study investigated the influence of support from family and friends in the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and emotional distress among orthopedic patients in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The study employed a hospital-based research design, using the 17-item PTSD self-report measure (PCL-C) and depression anxiety stress scales (DASS-21) to assess psychological distress and dimensions of social support from friends and family, involving 542 orthopedic patients from the National Orthopedic Hospital in Enugu, Nigeria. Results: The findings revealed a significant association between PTSD and emotional distress (β = 0.866; t = 9.245; P &lt; 0.001). Family support was found to exacerbate emotional distress among orthopedic patients (β = 0.448; t = 4.176; P &lt; 0.001), while support from friends showed an inverse effect on emotional distress (β = −0.310; t = −2.880; P &lt; 0.01). Moreover, moderation analysis indicated that high family support reduces the effect of PTSD on emotional distress for orthopedic patients (β = −0.035; t = −3.539; [CI: −0.055, −0.016], P &lt; 0.01). Conclusion: The study recommends prompt intervention for orthopedic patients to enhance their well-being by leveraging the available support from family and friends to alleviate the emotional distress associated with PTSD. Additionally, it underscores the importance of educating families and friends of orthopedic patients on their role in supporting the patient’s recovery journey.

Parental Stress Associated with International Migration Processes: A Systematic Review

The aim of this systematic review was to analyze scientific articles about the Parental Stress (PS) construct associated with people in international migration processes. Searches were carried out in seven databases: Scopus, Web of Science, PsycInfo, VHL Portal, MEDLINE/CINAHL, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library, considering publications between 2012-2021. Initially, 2193 documents were found and after the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 21 articles were analyzed according their theoretical-methodological aspects and main Parental Stress results. The critical appraisal of the studies indicates high methodological quality of the articles, since most of them (n = 12) got from 10 to 12 points in the 12 scale-score evaluation criteria. There was a predominance of articles that investigated the relationship between PS and social support, acculturative guidelines, parent-child relationship, mental health of caregivers, and interventions to reduce PS in caregivers. We discuss the dimensions of social support as protective factors for families who are in international migration process. The evidences suggest that government policies and interventions are necessary to mitigate psychosocial impacts on these populations.

Measurement invariance between subjects: what can we learn about subject-related differences in teaching quality?

Recent publications emphasize the need to take greater account of differences in teaching quality between subjects. The empirical analysis of this topic requires a comparison of teaching quality in different subjects to distinguish generic aspects of teaching quality from subject-specific ones. In this paper, we compare teaching quality in mathematics and German lessons using observational data from primary schools in Switzerland (NMath = 319; NGerman = 237). Data were collected using an observation instrument reflecting the teaching dimensions of the MAIN-TEACH model, which was developed based on a synthesis of established observation frameworks. The dimensions of classroom management, motivational-emotional support, selection and implementation of content, cognitive activation, support for consolidation, assessment and feedback, and adaptation were tested for subject-related measurement invariance. With a two-fold measurement invariance approach, differences between the subjects were investigated at both a global and an indicator level. When applying alpha accumulation correction, no significant subject-related differences in factor loadings or intercepts were found. The factorial structure of our data was basically identical for the two subjects. The comparison of latent factor means revealed no mean differences between the subjects. We discuss the implications for both the MAIN-TEACH model and research into subject-related differences of teaching in general.