Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire Research Articles

The impact of coping strategies and positive resources on post-traumatic stress symptoms among bereaved families of the Sewol ferry disaster.

This study investigated the long-term prevalence of, and factors associated with, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among the bereaved families of the Sewol ferry disaster, in which 250 students lost their lives during a school excursion. Eight years after the disaster, 181 family members were surveyed, and the prevalence of clinical PTSD symptoms was estimated. The Positive Resources Test (POREST), the Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire, and the Brief COPE were evaluated using self-report measures. The multivariable binomial logistic regression was used to identify protective and risk factors for PTSD. PTSD symptoms were present in 49.7% of the family members 8 years after the incident. A one-point increase in the score on the optimism subscale of the POREST was associated with a 20.1% decreased likelihood of having clinical PTSD symptoms (OR = 0.799; p = 0.027; 95% CI = 0.655-0.975). Conversely, a one-point increase in the score on the avoidant subscale of Brief COPE was associated with a 13.2% increased likelihood of having clinical PTSD symptoms (OR = 1.132; p = 0.041; 95% CI = 1.005-1.274). Our results provide evidence of the need for long-term mental health monitoring of bereaved families of disaster victims, along with valuable insights for the development of mental health intervention programs.

The association between Long-COVID symptomology, perceived symptom burden and mental health in COVID-19 patients in Shijiazhuang, China: a population-based health survey.

Long-COVID (LC) refers to post-acute COVID-19 symptoms that can last for months or longer after the initial infection, affecting the physical health of infected patients. This study aims to investigate the association between the symptomology of LC and the mental health of patients in China. It also aims to examine the relationship between the perceived symptom burden and mental health of these patients. A population-based stratified cluster sample was recruited, using a standard sampling procedure, from a prefecture-level city in Northern China. Participants included patients who had tested positive for COVID-19 after December 2022. LC symptomology was assessed using a LC symptoms checklist where the perceived symptom burden was measured by the included 5-point Likert scales. Mental health of patients was measured using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS), the original Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and the Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire (DUFSS). Data were analysed using multiple linear regression models. About 25% of respondents, experienced COVID symptoms lasting longer than two months that could only be explained by the infection. Post-exertional malaise (22.2%) and fatigue (21.2%) were the most common symptoms. After controlling for potential confounding variables, LC symptomology was significantly and positively associated with depression (t=2.09, p=0.037) and anxiety (t=4.51, p<0.001), but not stress. Perceived symptoms burden was also positively and significantly related to depression (β=0.35, p<0.001), anxiety (β=0.54, p<0.001), and stress (β=0.35, p<0.001), suggesting a dose-response relationship between perceived symptom burden and mental ill health. This study highlights the importance of recognising the risk of LC, patients' perception of the symptom burden and its potential impact on mental health. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the complexity of psychological comorbidities among infected patients reporting prolonged symptoms, and be able to give advice regarding long-term management of the symptoms.

The relationship between perceived stress and prolonged grief disorder among Chinese Shidu parents: effects of anxiety and social support

BackgroundShidu parents refer to the couple who have lost their only child and have not given birth or adopted another child in China. The number of Shidu parents is increasing annually. The aim of this research was to examine the mediating role of anxiety and the moderating role of social support between perceived stress and prolonged grief disorder (PGD) among Chinese Shidu parents.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out with 505 participants who completed a questionnaire including the Prolonged Grief Questionnair-3 (PG-13), the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10), the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire (FSSQ). SPSS PROCESS macro was employed to examine the mediating role of anxiety and the moderating role of social support.ResultsThe mediation analysis showed anxiety partially mediated the link between perceived stress and PGD, and the proportion of mediation of anxiety was 39.22%. The moderated mediation analysis revealed the second stage of mediating effects of anxiety on the link between perceived stress and PGD was moderated by social support. Specifically, compared with Shidu parents with higher social support, the association between anxiety and PGD was closer for those with lower social support.ConclusionsThe moderated mediation model can broaden our understanding of how and when perceived stress, anxiety and social support work together to affect PGD. The interventions aimed at improving mental health of Chinese Shidu parents need to work on reducing stress and enhancing social support.

Associations Between Social Support and Symptoms of Antenatal Depression with Infant Growth and Development Among Mothers Living with HIV in Tanzania.

Children born to mothers living with HIV may experience greater risk of poor growth and development outcomes than their HIV-unexposed peers. Few studies have examined the relationship between maternal depression and social support with infant growth and development in the context of HIV. We conducted a prospective cohort study of 2,298 pregnant women living with HIV in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, assessing antenatal depression (Hopkins Symptoms Checklist-25) and social support (Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire) at 12-27 weeks of gestation. At one-year age, infant anthropometry and caregiver-reported infant development were assessed. Generalized estimating equations were used to assess mean differences (MD) and relative risks (RR) for growth and developmental outcomes. Symptoms consistent with maternal antenatal depression had 67% prevalence and were associated with infant wasting (RR 2.61; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-6.65; z = 2.02; p = 0.04), but no other growth or developmental outcomes. Greater maternal social support was not associated with infant growth outcomes. Greater affective support was associated with better cognitive (MD 0.18; CI 0.01-0.35; z = 2.14; p = 0.03) and motor (MD 0.16; CI 0.01-0.31; z = 2.04; p = 0.04) development scores. Greater instrumental support was associated with better cognitive (MD 0.26; CI 0.10-0.42; z = 3.15; p < 0.01), motor (MD 0.17; CI 0.02-0.33; z = 2.22; p = 0.03), and overall (MD 0.19; CI 0.03-0.35; z = 2.35; p = 0.02) development scores. Depressive symptoms were associated with greater risk of wasting, while social support was associated with better infant development scores. Strategies to improve mental health and social support for mothers living with HIV during the antenatal period may benefit infant growth and development.

Prevalence, severity, and associated factors of depression in newly diagnosed people living with HIV in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundDepression is particularly common among people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), with some studies showing a prevalence of depression three times higher among people living with HIV as compared to the general public. The stress associated with being diagnosed with HIV can be quite impactful, including concerns about one’s long-term health, stigma, and the burden of long-term treatment. Therefore, it is common for a new HIV diagnosis to contribute to the onset of depressive symptoms. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of depression, and its associated factors in people diagnosed with HIV within the past 12 months.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey with patients newly diagnosed with HIV at three hospitals in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania utilizing a locally validated version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) as a screener for depression, the Demographic Health Survey (SES-DHS8) for socio-demographic characteristics, and the Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire (FSSQ) to assess perceived social support. We enrolled 272 participants between September and December 2020, diagnosed with HIV within the past 12 months. Analysis of Co-variance (ANCOVA) and Bonferroni post-hoc analysis were used to determine associations of sociodemographic variables with the dependent variable of depression.ResultsOverall prevalence of depression in our sample was 41%, including 54 participants (20%) with moderate symptoms, 42 (15%) with moderately severe symptoms, and 16 (6%) with severe symptoms. Severity was highest in participants diagnosed with HIV less than 1 month ago. An ANCOVA model (overall F = 4.72, p < 0.001) assessing factors associated with greater depression severity revealed significant effects of study site (F = 7.6, p < 0.001), female gender (F = 5.11, p = 0.02), and less time since HIV diagnosis (F = 12.3, p < 0.001).ConclusionThe study demonstrates very high prevalence of depression among people living with HIV in this setting, particularly among those newly diagnosed, female participants, and those seen at the larger regional referral hospital. Integration of mental health screening and interventions into CTC care is vital in the first visits following a positive test result and may be tailored to meet the needs of patients at highest risk for developing symptoms of depression.

Financial Coping Strategies and Financial Assistance Following a Pediatric Hematologic Malignancy

Background: Families experience significant financial stress after a pediatric leukemia or lymphoma diagnosis, which can result in household material hardship (HMH) such as housing, food, or energy insecurity. This study aims to investigate the financial coping strategies (FCS) used by families in the face of financial stress during the first year after diagnosis and describe the forms of financial assistance received to mitigate material hardship. Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey study conducted at Benioff Children's Hospitals in San Francisco and Oakland. The study surveyed caregivers of patients ages 6 months to 21 years who were diagnosed with blood cancers (acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, Hodgkin's (HL), and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL)) between March 2015 and April 2019. Patients who received hematopoietic stem cell transplant within the first year of diagnosis were excluded. The survey, available in both English and Spanish, collected data on demographics, baseline income, and HMH at twelve months after diagnosis. The survey included validated scoring systems such as the COmprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST) Outcome Measure and the Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire. Household income was the exposure of interest and was categorized as either high (greater than or equal to 400% of the 2018 federal poverty level) or low (less than 400% FPL); the 400% cut-off addressed the high cost of living in the San Francisco Bay Area. The survey queried families on the types of financial coping strategies adopted, and forms of private, hospital, and governmental assistance received within the first year after diagnosis. Results: This cohort included 66 caregivers. Of this group, 54% were low-income, 46% of patients had public insurance, and 24% had a preferred language other than English. The majority of the patients were diagnosed with ALL (71%); the remaining patients had NHL (15%), HL (9%), and other leukemias (5%). The median age of patients was 6.2 years (IQR 3.5 - 12.0) and the median age of surveyed caregivers was 35 years (IQR 29-43). Caregiver and patient characteristics are described in Table 1. Low-income families were significantly more likely to incur debt (55% versus 18%, p=0.003) than high-income families. Specifically, low-income families were more likely to borrow money from family or friends (55% versus 11%, p<0.001) and take out a loan (24% versus 3.6%, p=0.03) than high-income families. Reduced savings (39%) and lost investments (25%) were common across both income groups. While not reaching statistical significance, the use of private fundraising was more common among low-income families (55% versus 43%, p=0.4), while the use of financial counselors was more common among high-income families (32% versus 22%, p=0.4). Almost half of respondents reported experiencing a form of HMH at 12 months after diagnosis, as detailed in Table 2. Among families with food, housing or energy insecurity after diagnosis, 80%, 52%, and 47% respectively received any hospital or governmental assistance specific to their experienced hardship. The specific types of assistance received by families with material hardships are shown in Table 2. Conclusions: These results highlight the impact of a pediatric blood cancer diagnosis on short-term material hardship and long-term financial security. After diagnosis, low-income families were more likely to borrow money or take loans, which can have lasting financial consequences in the form of interest payments or worsening credit. While most families with food insecurity received some level of assistance, housing and energy assistance were less common. Given the high prevalence of material hardship seen in this population, our findings emphasize the need to systematically screen for HMH. To effectively allocate accessible resources towards HMH, additional research on generating evidence-based interventions is warranted. Work is underway to investigate how financial coping strategies and the availability of financial assistance have changed during the COVID-19 era. Figure 1View largeDownload PPTFigure 1View largeDownload PPT Close modal

Medication Adherence Among Multimorbid Patients With Polypharmacy and Its Relation to Social Support at National Guard Primary Health Care Centers, Riyadh.

The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of nonadherence to medication in multimorbid patients with polypharmacy and its relationship to social support in primary healthcare centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We conducted a cross-sectional, convenience-sample, non-randomized study in three primary healthcare centers managed by National Guard Health Affairs. The participants included 417 adult patients - (a) with two or more chronic illnesses and (b) who were taking two or more medications. The primary outcome variable was the prevalence of medication nonadherence in multimorbid patients with polypharmacy as measured by the modified Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). The second main variable was the impact of functional social support, as measured by the Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire (FSSQ), on medication adherence. The level of medication adherence was low for 194 (46.5%) of the 417 patients, medium for 127 (30.5%), and high for 96 (23%). There were 256 (61.4%) male participants and 161 (38.6%) females, and their mean age was 59.15 (SD ± 11.186) years. Additionally, 171 (41%) participants used two or three medications, 127 (30.5%) used four or five medications, and 119 (28.5%) used more than five medications; 178 (42.7%) of the patients had two comorbidities, 136 (32.9%) had three comorbidities, 69 (16.5%) had four comorbidities, and 31 (7.5%) had five comorbidities. Some social support data from the Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire (FSSQ) was missing for 58 (13.9%) of the participants. Among the rest of the sample, reported levels of social support levels were high for 246 (59%) patients, medium for 101 (24.2%), and low for 12 (2.9%) patients. None of the differences between social support and medication adherence were statistically significant. However, 61 (24.8%) patients reported both high social support and high medication adherence; 173 (48.2%) had low social support and low medication adherence (p = 0.470). We found that medication nonadherence in multimorbid patients with polypharmacy was high (46.5%). Although there were no statistically significant relationships between social support and medication adherence, certain patient characteristics were associated with low medication adherence - age over 60 years, male gender, and number of medications.

The Role of Mental Adjustment in Mediating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Social Support in Chinese Ovarian Cancer Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BackgroundPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can manifest in individuals following a traumatic event. There is a paucity of studies focusing on PTSD symptoms in ovarian cancer (OC) patients. This study aimed to investigate the association of social support, mental adjustment and PTSD symptoms in Chinese OC patients with a view to exploring whether mental adjustment could mediate the relationship.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2015 to December 2016. A total of 171 OC subjects were recruited and the effective response rate was 81.3%. The PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C), Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer scale (Mini-MAC) and Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire were disseminated to the patients. The Chinese Mini-MAC was used in this study focusing on three components, namely negative emotion, positive attitude, and cognitive avoidance. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were employed to investigate the association of social support and PTSD symptoms, and the role of mental adjustment in their mediation.ResultsThe prevalence of PTSD symptoms was 17.3% in OC patients. PTSD symptoms were negatively related with both social support and positive attitude, and positively associated with negative emotion and cognitive avoidance. Social support was negatively associated with negative emotion and cognitive avoidance, and positively related with positive attitude. In addition, negative emotion and positive attitude mediated the association between social support and PTSD symptoms.ConclusionPTSD symptoms in OC patients should be paid attention to. Social support and mental adjustment were positive resources associated with PTSD symptoms. Moreover, mental adjustment could mediate the relation between social support and PTSD symptoms in OC patients. Therefore, intervention management that focusing on improving perceived social support as well as strengthening mental adjustment, especially negative emotion and positive attitude, may be useful for reducing PTSD symptoms in this context.

Social support as a mediator between depressive symptoms and self-care activities in adults patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: People with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) are at risk of experiencing depression, which in turn can affect their selfcare activities. Recent evidence has shown that social support is beneficial in reducing the risk of depression and positively affecting increases in self-care activities. However, the role of social support in the relationship between depressive symptoms and selfcare activities has not been studied. This study aims to determine the mediating effects of social support on the relationship between depressive symptoms and self-care activities of people with type 2 DM.Design and methods: A cross-sectional consecutive sampling approach was used with 94 respondents with type 2 diabetes in East Jakarta, Indonesia, who were undergoing diabetes treatments during May–June 2020. The instruments used were the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale, Summary of Diabetes Self Care Activities and Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire. All three questionnaires have been tested for validity and reliability. Data analysis was carried out using multiple linear regression, path analysis, and the Sobel test.Results: The results of multiple linear regression analysis on the variables age, sex, education level, socioeconomic status, duration of type 2 DM, and complications of type 2 DM showed that only complications of type 2 diabetes affected self-care activities (p=0.000; R2=0.515). The results of the path analysis and Sobel test showed that social support significantly mediated the effects of the relationship between depressive symptoms and selfcare activities (z=-0.162 > table 1.96; direct effect = -0.499; indirect effect = -0.0789; total effect = 40.3%).Conclusions: Screening for depressive symptoms and interventions involving social support are strongly suggested for patients with type 2 DM who are suspected of showing a decline in self-care activities. Significance for public health This study suggests that social support mediates the effects of depressive symptoms on self-care activities in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Therefore, depression screening and the assessment of social support for each type 2 DM patient at risk of experiencing decreased self-care activities could be an effective intervention. The present study on the existence of social support as a factor increasing self-care activities in type 2 DM patients with depression symptoms can be used for reference and to provide information to public and educational institutions, including students, lecturers, and researchers.

The Adapted DUKE-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire in a Community Sample of Portuguese Parents

Purpose: Social support measures have generated empirical evidence of helping relationships and their role in family functioning and well-being. Social support networks affect parental practices and the ways in which families overcome stressful life events. Thus, it is important to gather knowledge about the different forms of support that families can benefit from. The aim of this study was to translate, adapt, and validate the Portuguese version of the Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire (FSSQ), a three dimension measure (confidant support, affective support, and instrumental support), Method: 1058 Portuguese parents participated in the study. They were mostly married/cohabiting and employed mothers. The Portuguese version of the FSSQ contained 13 items distributed into 3 subdimensions. The data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and the study of Pearson correlations. Results: The FSSQ original three-factor structure was supported by confirmatory factor analysis and the instrument showed good internal consistency. Confidant support and Instrumental support were negatively associated with Permissive parenting and Affective support was negatively associated with Authoritative parenting and Permissive parenting. All three dimensions showed low and positive correlations with Authoritarian parenting. Discussion: The Portuguese version of the FSSQ met adequate psychometric criteria and can be confidently used in family assessments of social support, whenever a brief, self-administered questionnaire would be useful for community services providers

Functional Independence and Social Support as Mediators in the Maintenance of Mental Health among Elderly Persons with Chronic Diseases

The presence of chronic disease and lack of social support have negative impact on functional capacity in later life. The aim of this study was to determine the possible connections between the alteration in functional abilities and access to sources of social support with the occurrence of depression in elderly persons with chronic disease. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 151 subjects with cardiovascular diseases at the age of 60 and above using standardized questionnaires. Groningen Activity Restriction Scale (GARS), Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire (FSSQ), and Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form (GDS) were used to identify the presence of limitations in functional status, availability of social support and symptoms of depression. Multivariate binary logistic regression model was used to assess multivariate influence of significant variables on inclusion in the indicative depression group. Spearman’s rho coefficient was used to analyze correlation between GARS, GDS and FSSQ. GDS score ≥10 (indicative depression) was obtained by 15 (9.9%) participants and scores in the range 6–9 (suspected depression) by 21 (13.9%) participants. There were no significant correlations between the scores on the depression assessment scale and the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants. Binary logistic regression showed that with GARS increasing by a single unit, the chance of having depression significantly rises by 7% (OR: 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01–1.13; P=0.013) while when FSSQ increases by a single unit, that chance drops nearly 2.5 times (OR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.23–0.70; P=0.001). The development of functional limitations and reduced level of social support are connected with the occurrence of depression. Creation of programs that will encourage the preservation of functional independence and enable effective social assistance can make a significant contribution to maintaining the mental health of elderly persons with chronic diseases.

Online Platform to Assess Complex Social Relationships and Patient-Reported Outcomes Among Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors.

Social integration and relationship issues have been understudied among adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors. This study compared social relationships (social networks, support, and isolation) between AYA cancer survivors and noncancer controls, and identified social integration mechanisms through which the cancer experience influences patient-reported outcomes (PROs). One hundred two AYA cancer survivors and 102 age, sex, and race-matched noncancer controls from a national Internet panel completed an online survey to identify up to 25 of closest friends and relatives whom they have contacted within the past 2 years. Participants' interpersonal connections were used to create a social network index. The Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire, UCLA Loneliness Scale, and PROMIS-29 Profile were used to measure social support, perceived isolation or loneliness, and PROs (physical functioning, pain interference, fatigue, anxiety, and depression domains), respectively. Path analysis tested effects of cancer experience on PROs using serial social relationship variables as mediators. Compared with controls, survivors of lymphoma, leukemia, and solid tumor had better social networks; however, survivors of solid tumor and central nervous system malignancies had higher perceived loneliness (all P values < .05). Cancer experience was directly associated with poor PROs (P values < .05 for all domains except fatigue) and indirectly associated through the social network-support-loneliness pathway (all P values < .05). Survivors with higher loneliness had lower physical functioning and higher pain interference, fatigue, anxiety, and depression versus controls with lower loneliness (all P values < .05). Compared with controls, survivors were more socially connected but experienced greater loneliness, which was associated with poorer PROs. Screening social integration issues during follow-up care and providing appropriate interventions are warranted.

Burnout, apoyo social, ansiedad y satisfacción laboral en profesionales del Trabajo Social

Burnout, defined with its most agreed upon definition, given in 1982 by Christina Maslach (Maslach Burnout Inventory), is a prolonged response to chronic emotional and interpersonal stressors on the job. Individuals suffering from burnout experience emotional exhaustion, depersonalization of clients, and reduced feelings of personal accomplishment. The well-documented day-to-day and long-term experiences of job stress and burnout among social services institutions increasingly raise concerns among leaders, policy makers and scholars. In this senses, previous research conducted internationally has shown a high prevalence of burnout among Social Workers collective. The burnout in Social Work is related to three types of factors: individual (seniority, gender, training and qualification, personality attributes, etc.), organizational (role stress, uncertainty, work overload, lack of human resources, etc.), and contextual. However, it is not frequent to find studies that analyze this occupational health problem in Spain. Current research explores the prevalence of burnout (using the Maslach Burnout Inventory) and associated risk factors like the demographic, occupational, perceived social support (Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) and job satisfaction levels (Overall Job Satisfaction) among social workers in Spain. Higher perceived social support decreases; higher anxiety is linked to higher burnout, and higher job satisfaction is linked to lower burnout incidence. Participants: the study’s sample was composed of a total of 252 subjects, of which 88.5 % (n = 223) were women, and 11.5 % (n = 29) were men, all social workers from the Professional Associations of Social Work of Seville and Murcia, with an average age of 40.7 years. The information was collected online via the Google Questionnaire application at the end of 2017. The questionnaire was divided into four different blocks: demographic (including age, sex, marital status and number of children) and labor (seniority, employment sector and employment context ) variables; perceived social support (Duke-UNC functional social support questionnaire); Generalized Anxiety disorder scale (GAD 7); Overall Job Satisfaction questionnaire; and burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory), whose 22 questions measure emotional exhaustion, low depersonalization and personal fulfillment. Based on the prevalence of burnout, 46.8 % (n = 118) showed high emotional exhaustion, 56.7 % (n = 143) high depersonalization and 62.3 % (n = 157) low personal achievement. Likewise, after logistic regression analysis, it is observed how certain variables are statistically significantly associated with the different dimensions of burnout, specifically, emotional exhaustion was associated with older age (OR = 1.028; p = .038), work seniority (OR = 1.032; p = .038) and job satisfaction (OR = .978; p = .009). High depersonalization was positively associated with working in social services (OR = 1.726; p = .018), perceived social support (OR = .969; p = .026) and anxiety (OR = 1.213; p = .037). Finally, low personal achievement was statistically associated with perceived social support (OR = .969; p = .026) and anxiety (OR = 1.213; p = .037). Current results could be effective when carrying out prevention strategies aimed at reducing the problem of burnout among Social Work professionals in Spain. The socio-economic and political context of Spain characterized by austerity in recent years has negatively affected the public sector and social services through restrictions on access to rights, precarious working conditions for social workers, reduction of templates and work teams, elimination of public services and benefits, progressive privatization and reduction of budgets for social policies, increasing the workload of social workers in Spain. Current results show the degree of dissatisfaction among social workers in Spain, calling on other researchers to analyze the protective factors that can cushion the appearance and negative effects of burnout. https://doi.org/10.16888/interd.2022.39.1.11

Predictors of emotional distress during the COVID-19 pandemic; a Croatian study

The study aimed to assess relations between coronavirus-related psychological distress and its potentially predictive factors. An online sample of 2860 Croatian adults filled in questionnaires on socio-demographic characteristics, distress (the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21), coping (the Brief COPE), personality (the International Personality Item Pool), and social support (the Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire) during the COVID-19 lockdown and after the capital was hit by an earthquake. Results indicated that 15.9% of the respondents experienced severe to extreme depression, 10.7% severe to extreme anxiety, and 26.2% severe to extreme stress.The hierarchical regressions analysis indicated that the considered variables explained a substantial percentage of the variance in depression (51.4%), anxiety (35.2%), and stress (45.5%). Main predictors of emotional distress were lower scores of Emotional Stability, higher scores of Agreeableness, avoidant coping, lack of active coping and perceived social support. The negative effect of the earthquake was weak.Results provide information on a broad range of potentially protective or vulnerability factors that could help identify those at risk for developing coronavirus-related psychological distress. Findings suggest that promoting active coping styles and social interactions could be preventive and potentially therapeutic in general populations.

WiFi Use and Mental Health in a Refugee Camp in Italy

Background: Migrants often rely on digital connectivity enabled by WiFi hotspots accessed via technologies such as mobile phones. However, there is a lack of evidence of the relationship between WiFi use and mental health during displacement. We assessed the relationship between symptoms of depressive disorder and digital connectivity, as well as potential mediating mental health outcomes of perceived social support and self-efficacy. Methods: This study included a cross-sectional, census survey of displaced individuals in a transit camp in Italy. The survey consisted of a structured questionnaire: connectivity was operationalized as WiFi use in the past week and mobile phone ownership. Mental health status was evaluated by interviewer-administered screening tools for depressive disorder (8-item Patient Health Questionnaire), perceived social support (Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire), and self-efficacy (General Self-Efficacy Scale). Results: In total, 104 migrants were included (97% men). The median age was 26 years (interquartile range 22-30). Nearly two-thirds (72%) of participants accessed WiFi daily in the past week, and 60% owned a mobile phone. Over 86% of participants had symptoms consistent with moderate/major depressive disorder. There is a trend between daily access to WiFi in the past week and increased social support and perceived self-efficacy (OR: 1.28, 95% CI: 0.52 – 3.13 and OR: 1.41, 95% CI 0.57 – 3.48, respectively), and lower odds of depressive symptoms (OR: 0.84, 95% CI 0.16 – 4.44). Interpretation: This data provides evidence of the role of WiFi access in the mental health of displaced persons in a refugee camp setting. Funding Statement: This research was conducted in a partnership between Technology for Development (T4D) of Mercy Corps and the Signal Program on Human Security and Technology at the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI) and was funded by a subaward from the CiscoMercy Corps Technology for Impact partnership. Declaration of Interests: None to declare. Ethics Approval Statement: This study was under ethics review, oversight, and governance both in Italy and in the United States by the Ethics Committee of the Unita di Bioetica, Istituto Superiore di Sanita and the Institutional Review Board of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (Protocol IRB19-0692), respectively. Informed consent was obtained orally from all participants to avoid the potential risks of collecting participant names.

Predicting Caregiver Burden in Informal Caregivers for the Elderly in Ecuador

Informal caregivers are the main providers of care for the elderly. The aim of this study is to examine the predictive value of different variables regarding caregivers and their elderly patients with respect to the caregiver’s burden. A convenience sample of 688 informal caregivers and 688 elderly people from Ecuador was surveyed. Only households with one caregiver and one elderly person were considered for the study. For informal caregivers, the following standardized measures were obtained: burden (Zarit Burden Interview), neuroticism (Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Revised-Abbreviated, EPQR-A), caregiver’s general health (GHQ-12), and social support (modified Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire, FSSQ11). For the elderly, we employed standardized measures of cognitive function (short portable mental status questionnaire, SPMSQ), Pfeiffer’s test, and functional dependency (Barthel scale/Index, BI). Females were over-represented in caregiving and reported significantly higher burden levels than those of males. In both male and female caregivers, the burden was best predicted by the time of caring, neuroticism, and elderly cognitive impairment. However, some predictors of burden were weighted differently in males and females. The functional independence of the elderly was a significant predictor of burden for male caregivers but not females, while caregiver competence was a significant predictor for females but not males. These variables accounted for more than 88% of the variability in informal caregivers.

PARENTAL ATTITUDE, SOCIAL SUPPORT, AND PARENTAL STRESS AMONG PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM IN SELANGOR, MALAYSIA

Parental stress has been linked with negative aspects of parental and family functioning in both families of children with and without disabilities. Child-rearing adds a number of responsibilities and stressors to most parents. However, parents of children with autism faced a different set of challenges and exhibit a higher level of stress due to the pervasive nature of child problems. The aims of this study were to determine the relationships between parental attitude, social support, and parental stress among parents of children with autism in Selangor and also to determine the predictor of stress among parental attitude and social support. This study was guided by the bioecological theory of human development that highlighted the importance of the proximal process and the person biopsychological characteristics in determining the development outcomes. Eighty parents with autistic children were recruited through cluster sampling. Parents completed a set of questionnaires consist of demographic data sheet, Family Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire (FSSQ), and Autism Parenting Stress Index (APSI). Significant correlation was found between parental attitude and parental stress (r= .76, p &lt; 0.01), and between social support and parental stress (r= -.59, p &lt; 0.01). These findings suggest that social support and positive parental attitude towards parenting a child with autism is the critical factor in reducing parental stress. Meanwhile, results of multiple regression showed parental attitude emerged as a significant predictor of parental stress (β = .622, p &lt; 0.001). However, there was no evidence of the role of demographic variables in the adjustment of parental stress. It is concluded that parents with supportive social networks and positive attitudes are more likely to engage in an active proximal process that will lead to effective coping and stress reduction

Perceived social support functions as a resilience in buffering the impact of trauma exposure on PTSD symptoms via intrusive rumination and entrapment in firefighters.

Resilience has been highlighted as a pivotal factor in overcoming the detrimental impact of trauma. The present study tests a resilience model of trauma using risk (rumination, emotion regulation, and entrapment) and protective (perceived social support) factors in a sample of firefighters who are at heightened risk for post-traumatic stress disorder, using a cross-sectional design. Specifically, the present study focuses on perceived social support as a resilience factor against PTSD symptoms, in response to trauma exposure. The sample included 545 firefighters from six large cities in Korea, who completed the following self-report questionnaires: Life Event Checklist, Event-related Rumination Inventory, Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, Entrapment scale, Impact of Event Scale-Revised, and Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire. Exposure to traumatic events indirectly affected PTSD symptoms via intrusive rumination, emotional regulation, and perceptions of entrapment. Additionally, the mediating effects of intrusive rumination and perceptions of entrapment were moderated by perceived social support. That is, firefighters with high levels of perceived social support reported lower severity of rumination and PTSD symptoms. These findings suggest that perceptions of social support may operate as a resilience factor in buffering the effects of trauma on PTSD symptoms. Perceived social support interacts with intrusive rumination and perceptions of entrapment, thereby resisting the development of PTSD symptoms.

The relationship between perceived social support and depressive symptoms in informal caregivers of community-dwelling older persons in Chile.

AIMDepression among caregivers of older persons is a serious concern, but it is often overlooked and neglected in developing countries. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived social support and depression in informal caregivers of community‐dwelling older persons in Chile.MethodsWe analyzed cross‐sectional secondary data on 377 dyads of community‐dwelling older persons and their informal caregivers from a nationwide survey in Chile. The Duke‐UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire (FSSQ) was used to measure caregivers’ perceived social support, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale assessed their depression.ResultsIn this study, 76.9% of the caregivers perceived a high level of social support, and 46.9% were assessed as having depression. Based on multivariable analysis, factors that decrease the likelihood of being depressed are a high level of social support (odds ratio (OR) = 0.311, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.167–0.579) and having taken holidays in the past 12 months (OR = 0.513, 95%CI: 0.270–0.975). Factors that increase the likelihood of being depressed are being a female caregiver (OR = 2.296, 95%CI: 1.119–4.707), being uninsured (OR = 4.321, 95%CI: 1.750–10.672), being the partner or spouse of the care recipient (OR = 3.832, 95%CI: 1.546–9.493), and the number of hours of care (OR = 1.053, 95%CI: 1.021–1.085).ConclusionHigher levels of perceived social support and holidays were associated with lower levels of depression. However, being female, being the care recipient's partner or spouse, being uninsured, and having long care periods had detrimental effects. Interventions to preserve and enhance perceived social support could help improve depressive symptoms in informal caregivers. Additionally, support should be available to caregivers who are women, uninsured, and the care recipient's partner or spouse, as well as those who provide care for long hours, to ensure they have respite from their caregiving role.

Received and perceived support subscales of the Berlin Social Support Scales in women diagnosed with breast cancer attending the breast clinic at Tygerberg hospital: structure and correlates

Research in the field of psycho-oncology in South Africa is increasing, and there is a need for validated measures that assess factors associated with cancer, such as social support. The Berlin Social Support Scales are a battery of instruments that measure various types and functions of social support. The measure was originally developed for use among adult cancer patients, and their partners but has also been used among other clinical populations and healthy adults. We investigated the psychometric properties of the English version of the perceived and received sub-scales, Berlin Social Support Scales. Our sample included South African women ( N = 201) who were diagnosed with breast cancer and receiving treatment at a public health care facility. We administered several measures, including a demographic questionnaire, the Berlin Social Support subscales, the Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire, and The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy to participants. Validity and reliability analyses were conducted. Factor analysis resulted in the retention of 17 items that clustered on two factors, namely received support and perceived support. The 17-item version of the Berlin Social Support Scale demonstrated strong reliability and validity in the sample. The two subscales are quick to administer, easy to interpret, and are a reliable measure of social support among breast cancer patients in South Africa.