Exchange Of Emotional Support Research Articles

HOW PATTERNS OF INTERGENERATIONAL SUPPORT RECEIVED PREDICT FUTURE PROVISION OF CARE? EVIDENCE FROM CHINA

Abstract Intergenerational support refers to the exchange of financial, emotional, and physical support between generations. The types of support that older adults receive can influence their willingness to provide care in the future. However, there is limited knowledge about the different patterns of support that older adults receive. Examining these patterns can provide insight into how older adults contribute to future financial, emotional, and physical support. Using data from 5,388 older adults aged 60 and older from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, latent profile analysis was used to explore the patterns of received support. The associations between the patterns and provisions of financial, emotional, and physical support were examined using lagged OLS regression. Results showed that three patterns of received support were identified based on financial and physical aspects: financially and physically disadvantaged (low financial and physical support), engaged but financially disadvantaged (low financial but high physical support), engaged but physically moderate (high financial and medium physical support). Compared to the financially and physically disadvantaged group, those who were engaged but financially disadvantaged offer more financial and emotional support but less physical support, whereas engaged but physically moderate groups are more likely to provide emotional care. Findings suggest that policies and programs should consider the different patterns of support that older adults receive to promote more balanced support across different generations.

Dyadic relations between refugees and volunteers: Support exchange and reciprocity experienced in buddy projects in Flanders, Belgium

Refugees often leave behind perilous journeys to enter Europe and lengthy asylum procedures that jeopardize their long-term integration trajectory. Therefore, adequate and tailored social support by host society members is key. Although classical social support theories are frequently used in the framework of refugee resettlement and integration, they often neglect the influence of intergroup power asymmetries in support exchange. These asymmetries may become very outspoken in civic integration programs promoting supportive social connections via intergroup contact between refugees and local volunteers, such as buddy projects. In this research we study relationship experiences and social support exchange in dyadic interactions between local volunteers and refugees from Middle-Eastern and Eastern-African countries enrolled in buddy projects in Belgium (Flanders). Semi-structured in-depth interviews were done with 7 dyads participating in such projects, resulting in 14 people interviewed (7 volunteers and 7 refugees). The interviews were analyzed using dyadic thematic analysis. We found that volunteers and refugees reported a positive and dynamic relationship, even if it was mainly intended to solve immediate practical or bureaucratic issues and less dedicated to self-disclosure and communal exchanges. As volunteers were intent on providing practical, material, and informational support to refugees, such as aiding with administrative paperwork, translations, and liaise with service providers, little room was left for reciprocity in the exchange of emotional support. The latter form of support, when present, was expressed through active listening, emotional sharing, and through the acts of eating together and dialoguing about cultural differences. Asymmetries in support exchange and limited reciprocity were embedded in power imbalances inherent to the relational context, further exacerbated by other important factors, such as a lack of organizational support and gaps in the integration system. To conclude, we provide recommendations for organizational actors and policy makers on how to promote reciprocity in support exchange to rebalance the asymmetric relationship between refugees and volunteers, thus facilitating mutual accommodation in buddy projects.

Knock, knock, who’s there? Leader humor, leader–member exchange, and the dimensions of engagement

The workplace is rife with the use of humor. However, the theoretical ties between the use of leader humor and common employee outcomes remain incomplete. This research extends social exchange theory to investigate the activities through which leader humor enables followers' physical, cognitive, and emotional engagement. The argument is made that leaders can utilize humor as a socioemotional resource to facilitate high-quality relationships with followers. Accordingly, hypotheses are developed to suggest a mediated relationship between leader humor and the three dimensions of engagement through the leader–member exchange (LMX). Data from a two-wave study in the United States support these hypotheses and highlight leader–follower exchange as a necessary linkage to follower engagement. These results suggest that it is not enough for leaders to be amusing. Instead, leaders need to build strong connections with their followers through the exchange of social and emotional support. This research adds to the knowledge of leader humor in the organizational setting by establishing a connection between leader humor and each of the engagement facets. Additionally, this research expands the LMX literature by drawing attention to leader humor as a valuable socioemotional resource.

Older people's family relationships in disequilibrium during the COVID-19 pandemic. What really matters?

AbstractInter- and intragenerational relationships are known to be important in maintaining the wellbeing of older people. A key aspect of these relationships is the exchange of both emotional and instrumental social support. However, relatively little is known about how this exchange of support changes in the context of widespread disruption. The COVID-19 pandemic provides an opportunity to examine how older people's family relationships are impacted by such social change. The present qualitative study explores how older people in the United Kingdom experienced changes in inter- and intragenerational support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants (N = 33) were recruited through a large-scale nationally representative survey (https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/psychology-consortium-covid19). We asked how life had been pre-pandemic, how they experienced the first national lockdown and what the future might hold in store. The data were analysed using constructivist grounded theory. This paper focuses on the importance of family relationships and how they changed as a consequence of the pandemic. We found that the family support system had been interrupted, that there were changes in the methods of support and that feelings of belonging were challenged. We argue that families were brought into disequilibrium through changes in the exchange of inter- and intragenerational support. The important role of grandchildren for older adults was striking and challenged by the pandemic. The significance of social connectedness and support within the family had not changed during the pandemic, but it could no longer be lived in the same way. The desire to be close to family members and to support them conflicted with the risk of pandemic infection. Our study found support for the COVID-19 Social Connectivity Paradox: the need for social connectedness whilst maintaining social distance. This challenged family equilibrium, wellbeing and quality of life in older people.

Peer Support Experienced by Mothers of Children With Congenital Heart Defects in Sweden.

The aim of this study was to describe experiences of peer support among mothers of children with congenital heart defects. Ten mothers were interviewed through a semi-structured approach and interviews were analyzed with systematic text condensation. The respondents established various channels used for peer support and navigated between the channels depending on what type of information or support they needed. Through the channels, they found peers they developed strong friendships with and who they relied on for emotional support. Communicating with peers involved the reciprocal exchange of unique emotional support between peers who understand each other as well as the exchange of information derived from their collective knowledge, and thus, difficult to find without the help of peers. The findings illustrate the potential strengths of establishing reliable collaboration and liaisons between clinical units and peer support networks.

Transgender community resilience on YouTube: Constructing an informational, emotional, and sociorelational support exchange.

This strength‐based, mixed‐methods study explored how trans individuals utilize transvlogs as a community building and resilience resource. Eighty‐six transvlog viewers explained their motivation for viewing transvlogs and additionally rated their self‐efficacy and well‐being. Narrative analyses indicate that participants viewed transvlogs to gain informational, emotional, and sociorelational resources. Twelve percent of participants additionally shared those resources with others and contributed to a relational resilience exchange. In addition, transvlog viewers' self‐efficacy and well‐being scores were higher than previously reported means. While prior research has noted the benefits of transvlog creation, the present study furthers this study by suggesting that transvlog viewers interactionally benefit as well. Participants in this study were not passive viewers, but rather active, agentive contributors to a trans community resilience exchange. Building on this study, we conclude with a discussion of how therapists can incorporate extant trans‐created resources to foster trans community resilience.

Would I have your support? Family network features and past support exchanges associated with anticipated support for a substance problem

ABSTRACT Objective Assessment of social processes underlying anticipation for recovery-related support from family in the event of a substance problem. We drew from literature on social support, substance use, and social networks to develop a path model connecting emotionally close family relationships, closeness among members in the wider family network (density), previous emotional support exchanges, and anticipated support. Subjects and Methods We used a sample from the 2019 Nebraska Annual Social Indicators Survey (284 adults; 57% female; 94% white; 46.26% living in rural areas) and employed generalized structural equation modeling with logistic regression equations for our binary dependent variable (anticipated support). Results Denser family networks were associated with individuals’ close relations with family (b = .18, p < .001), close family relations were associated with support received by (b = .25, p < .05) and given to (b = .47, p < .001) family, and only support given to family increased the odds of anticipated support (IRR = 4.32, CI = 1.13, 16.48). Conclusions Family-wide dynamics are important for understanding how support exchange relates to anticipated support. Prioritizing efforts to strengthen family relationships and improve the likelihood that at-risk individuals, especially in rural areas, can overcome substance problems is important.

Mediating Effects of Emotional Support Reception and Provision on the Relationship between Group Interaction and Psychological Well-Being: A Study of Young Patients.

While it is well-established that mutual aid groups are effective in the psychological rehabilitation of vulnerable individuals, few studies have thoroughly investigated the dynamic mechanism of how psychological well-being improves through mutual aid groups of young patients with chronic health conditions. In connection with several existing theories (i.e., the helper therapy principle, equity theory, the norm of reciprocity, and the concept of communal relationships), this study aims to: (1) evaluate whether emotional support exchanges (i.e., emotional support reception and provision) mediate the relationship between group interaction and psychological well-being; and (2) compare three potential underlying mechanisms—the mediating role of emotional support provision, equitable reciprocity (i.e., a balance of receiving and providing emotional support, where no party over-benefits or under-benefits), and sequential reciprocity (i.e., repaying the helper or a third party in the future after receiving help)—through a path analysis model. A stratified random sampling procedure with chronic health conditions as the stratifying criterion was used to recruit 391 individuals aged 12–45 years from mutual aid groups in Hong Kong, who completed both the baseline and follow-up surveys over a 12-month interval. The results of the path model revealed significant mediating roles of emotional support provision and sequential reciprocity, not equitable reciprocity. The present study offers theoretical and practical implications for promoting the psychological well-being of young patients with chronic health conditions.

Co-living with migrant domestic workers is associated with a lower level of loneliness among community-dwelling older adults: A cross-sectional study.

Loneliness (inclusive social loneliness and emotional loneliness) of older adults is a prominent public health issue internationally. Factors consistently associated with loneliness are age, gender, education, living arrangements, social network, and functional status. Intergenerational co-living with spouse and adult children is important for the exchange of social, emotional, practical, and financial support provided to older adults. Co-living with migrant domestic workers (MDWs) to care for older adults became an emergent phenomenon internationally, particularly in Asian countries. According to the convoy model of social relations, the effect of co-living with MDWs on older adults' loneliness is unknown. This study examined (1) the prevalence of loneliness among community-dwelling older adults; and (2) the association between co-living with MDWs and older adult loneliness. Using the Chinese version of the 6-item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale on loneliness, 380 older adults were interviewed at busy points in Hong Kong, including subway stations. 35.3% of older adults experienced moderate-to-severe loneliness. Linear regression was performed to examine the association between co-living with MDWs and loneliness. The results showed that co-living with MDWs was significantly associated with lower levels of overall loneliness (β=-0.636; p=.022) and emotional loneliness (β=-0.298, p=.039), but not for social loneliness (β=-0.337, p=.084). While MDWs could be an attachment figure for older adults, they might not be effective in promoting the social integration of older adults. There is a need to investigate the barriers of social integration faced by older adults co-living with MDWs.

Personality Traits and Emotional Support Exchanges Among Oldest-Old Parents and Older-Adult Children in Korea

Previous studies show that personality traits are predictors of individuals’ exchanges (i.e., giving, perceiving, and evoking) in social support in general relationships. Less attention has been paid, however, to the roles of personality traits in parent-child relation, especially in the very old parent-child dyads. Focusing on personality’s effects on the perception of received support, this study examines 1) whether personality traits are associated with a perception of received emotional support, 2) which personality traits work as a predictor of support perception, and 3) whether the similarity between parent and children exist in the patterns of personality-support relationships among Korean very old parent-child dyads. A total of 105 dyads of very old parents, 81 to 97 years old (M = 87.9, SD = 2.8), and their older-adult children, 65 to 72 years old (M = 65.9, SD = 1.2), participated in the study. The results of the actor-partner interdependence model reveal that less neurotic and more agreeable parents perceived more emotional support from children(actor-effects); parents with more agreeable children perceived more support from children(partner-effect). There was no actor- and partner effects of personality traits on the emotional support children perceived. Our findings show that children, as compared to their parents, are maybe less affected by parents’ personality traits reflected by parents’ interaction behaviors. We further provide explanations of each path from the personality traits to emotional support.

Lessons Learned From 11 Countries on Programs Promoting Intergenerational Solidarity

ObjectiveThe goal of this project was to develop a systematic framework through which interventions promoting intergenerational solidarity in 11 countries could be assessed.BackgroundAlthough intergenerational solidarity—the exchange of material, social, and emotional support and care between family generations—benefits both the country's economic well‐being (macro‐level) and the individual's physical, mental, and social well‐being (micro‐level), decreasing intergenerational solidarity is evident in many industrialized countries. Interventions promoting intergenerational solidarity are increasingly being developed, but few are described in the literature. Moreover, no unifying framework describing them exists.MethodRepresentatives from 11 countries convened to identify interventions promoting intergenerational solidarity. After several meetings, a unifying framework was created. Representatives selected a convenience sample of programs and abstracted information based on the framework.ResultsThe outcome of social well‐being was virtually ubiquitous in most programs. Countries appeared to take a broad view of intergenerational solidarity, focusing on interactions among generations, rather than interactions within families.Discussion and ImplicationsThe framework enabled the systematic abstraction and assessment of programs. Most programs had no standard method of evaluating their outcomes. Longitudinal evaluations would be optimal if we want to identify the best practices in intergenerational solidarity programs.

Peer-to-peer interactions in the sharing economy: Exploring the role of reciprocity within a Chinese social network

Peer-to-peer interactions play an important role in the sharing economy and more specifically within Internet social networking sites (SNSs). However, little is known about the nature of these interactions and the role of reciprocity in the peer-to-peer exchanges facilitated by SNSs. We use the context of the Chinese Weibo SNS to explore this issue. Our research develops a conceptual model and hypotheses to examine the effects of reputation and emotion on reciprocal behaviours in the Chinese Weibo SNS. We conduct a study to test the influence of reputation on reciprocity and emotion in these peer-to-peer interactions. Our study shows that bridging behaviours, which create social status across heterogeneous groups, generate increased reciprocation as a direct effect. A second indicator of reputation, bonding behaviours that promote social resources within homogenous groups, do not have significant direct effects on intention to reciprocate. Both bridging and bonding behaviors create direct effects on evoked emotions, and emotions in turn have significant effects on the intention to reciprocate. We found that evoked emotions are an important mediator between bridging and bonding actions by one party in the sharing economy and the resulting intention to reciprocate by another party. Our findings contribute to developing a theoretical understanding of the role of reciprocity in peer-to-peer interactions in the sharing economy and more specifically in virtual environments. We show the functioning and appeal in the Chinese Weibo SNS depend heavily on reciprocal user behaviors including the exchange of emotional support, information and knowledge. Our findings show peer-to-peer interaction in SNSs create emotional responses, and these emotions mediate reciprocation. Actions by users with stronger reputations and higher status have stronger effects, which is consistent with the importance of social standing in China for fostering reciprocity in non-virtual business interactions. This suggests that offline habits are being emulated on the Internet.

Gender Differences in the Impact of Intergenerational Support on Depressive Symptoms among Older Adults in Korea.

Background: This study examined the relationship between intergenerational support patterns and depressive symptoms among older men and women in Korea. Methods: A nationally representative survey of non-institutionalized, community-dwelling older adults in Korea was used. A total of 7531 older adults (3592 men and 3939 women) was included in the analysis. Results: We observed gender differences in the impact of financial support exchanges on depressive symptoms. A lack of mutual financial support significantly increased the risk of depressive symptoms by 3.83 times (95% CI 2.34–6.24) in men and 1.73 times (95% CI 1.06–2.83) in women. Men who received financial support were more likely to experience depressive symptoms (OR (Odds Ratio), 1.81, 95% CI 1.36–2.42), whereas women who provided financial support were more likely to experience depressive symptoms (OR 2.82, 95% CI 1.21–6.56). The lack of an exchange of emotional support was significantly associated with depressive symptoms in both men (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.17–1.90) and women (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.50–2.34). Conclusions: We discuss the evidence of gender differences in intergenerational support exchange patterns and their impact on depressive symptoms within the context of Korean cultures and suggest that future research should be conducted on gender differences in the impact of intergenerational support on mental health across diverse societies.

A smartphone-based support group for alcoholism: Effects of giving and receiving emotional support on coping self-efficacy and risky drinking.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the nature and effects of exchanging emotional support via a smartphone-based support group for patients with alcohol dependence. Of the 349 patients who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.) criteria for alcohol dependence, 153 patients participated in the discussion group within the Addiction-Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System, a smartphone application aimed at reducing relapse. This was developed to prevent problem drinking by offering individuals in recovery for alcohol dependence automated 24/7 recovery support services and frequent assessment of their symptom status as part of their addiction care. The results showed that receiving emotional support from health care providers improved coping self-efficacy. Giving emotional support and receiving emotional support from health care providers acted as a buffer, protecting patients from the harmful effects of emotional distress on risky drinking. Clinicians and researchers should use the features of smartphone-based support groups to reach out to alcoholic patients in need and encourage them to participate in the exchange of emotional support with others.

HUSBAND’S EMOTIONAL SUPPORT PROVISION TO ADULT CHILDREN AND WIFE’S MARITAL SATISFACTION IN LATER LIFE

The current study examined the association between intergenerational support exchange and marital satisfaction among older Korean couples. Prior work has not paid due attention to the fact that older parents and adult children often exchange various types of support in the context of marital relationships, and that provision or receipt of support could influence their marital relationships (see Lee, Zarit, Rovine, Biritt, & Fingerman, 2010; Polenick, Birditt, & Zarit, 2018, for exceptions). Using the 2008 Actual Living Condition of the Elderly and Welfare Need Survey (ALCEWNS), a nationally representative survey of community-dwelling adults 60 years and older, we evaluated the links between marital satisfaction and each spouse’s reports of emotional and instrumental support provided to or received from adult children. For analyses, a series of actor-partner interdependence models were estimated. Findings revealed that wives’ marital satisfaction was associated with their husband’s exchange of emotional support with adult children. By contrast, husbands’ marital satisfaction was unaffected by their wife’s emotional support exchange with adult children. More specifically, wives were more satisfied with their marriage when their husband reported providing greater emotional support to adult children than receiving it from adult children. In addition, wives indicated higher marital satisfaction when the couple provided similar levels of emotional support to their children. Provision or receipt of instrumental support had no bearings on marital satisfaction of either spouse. Taken together, our findings highlight how older couples may evaluate their relationship quality in the Korean cultural context.

Exploring the use and quality of Internet discussion forums in pregnancy: A qualitative analysis.

The Internet is widely used as a source of health information to assist decision making in pregnancy. Concerningly, the quality of information shared on online pregnancy forums is unclear. Our objectives were to explore online pregnancy forum health-related use and evaluate quality of information shared. This retrospective qualitative study had two phases of data collection and analysis. First, thematic analysis of a representative sample (n=480) of posts explored motivators for forum use. Second, a subgroup (n=153) of threads with clinical content was assessed for congruence with reputable sources. Common motivators for forum engagement were a desire for lived experience, unlimited access, and the opportunity to express emotions. Of 1098 responses sharing advice, information, or experience, 601 (54.7%) were accurate; 230 (20.9%) were erroneous, incomplete, or misleading; and 267 (24.3%) lacked credible evidence. Of these, 60 (5.5%) were potentially harmful. Responses often directed women to a health care practitioner, but concerningly, failed to refer ten women in need of urgent medical assessment. Few discussions were self-regulating, with only 12 of 230 (5.2%) poor-quality messages subsequently rectified. Exchange of information and emotional support among peers are key functions of online pregnancy forums. There is a modest prevalence of poor-quality or potentially harmful information but more concerningly a lack of peer moderation. We suggest health care practitioners ensure pregnant women have a clear understanding of when clinical consultation is required. Clinicians may wish to discuss the supportive community aspects of online forums in cases where offline support is lacking.

Social Support, Source Credibility, Social Influence, and Impulsive Purchase Behavior in Social Commerce

ABSTRACTSocial commerce (s-commerce)—the use of social media to support electronic commerce—has become pervasive. This paper aims to investigate an important type of consumer behaviour that could generate considerable economic value: impulsive purchase behaviour. Specifically, we focus on the role of peer influence. Social influence theory posits that the process via which peers change a consumer’s behaviour can be interpreted along two dimensions: informational and normative. Furthermore, drawing from literature, source credibility and social support are proposed as the antecedent factors of the influencing processes in this context. We surveyed 303 s-commerce participants in Sina Weibo to empirically test the research model. The results indicate that peers’ expertise and trustworthiness are significantly related to both types of social influence that could exert an influence on a consumer. Further, consumers’ exchange of informational and emotional social support significantly facilitates social influence among them. This study contributes to both the s-commerce and the impulsive purchase literature by revealing the role of peer influence in consumers’ impulsive consumption behaviour in the s-commerce setting. The practical implications are also illustrated in the paper.

고령부부-비동거자녀 세대간 교환관계 유형: 2008년과 2017년의 차이 비교

The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences over time in patterns of support exchanges between older couples and their non-coresident adult children, and the characteristics of the adult children as correlates of support exchange patterns. Data were drawn from the Survey on the Elderly Life Condition in 2008 and 2017. The analytic sample consisted of 4,415 couples (2,265 couples in 2008 and 2,150 couples in 2017) who were 60 years old or older and had at least one adult child living independently at the time of survey. For analyses, latent profile and logistic regression models were estimated. The latent profile analysis was applied to 12 indicators of exchanges (emotional, instrumental, and I(ADL) assistance support given to or received from non-coresident adult children). Five profiles of intergenerational exchanges were identified in both survey years (high; moderate; little exchange across all types of support; exchange of emotional support; and dependence on children for all types of support) with one difference. In 2017, wives in exchange of emotional support profile also exchanged moderate to high levels of instrumental support with non-coresident children. With regard to other differences over time, reciprocal support exchange patterns across emotional, instrumental, and physical support declined over time. Instead, the proportions of older couples in the little exchange or dependence on children profiles increased. As for correlates of support exchange patterns, parents with daughters were overall found to report more intergenerational exchanges in 2017 compared to 2008, but they did not necessarily receive support for their I(ADL) limitations. The results implied that intergenerational exchange profiles could be divided into diverse types and the proportion and covariates for each profile could vary over time.

Exchange of Emotional Support Between Adult Children and their Parents and the Children’s Well-being

The present study examined the associations between exchanges of emotional support of Israeli adult children with their parents, their emotional bond with their parents, and the children’s well-being. A self-report survey was administered to 1013 participants aged 21–45 (72.8% female, 49.5% students, and 55.7% of whom lived with their parents) that reported on their relationships with their mothers and fathers. Structural equation models tested the relationships of the participants with their mothers and fathers separately. The emotional bond contributed directly to the emotional support received from each parent and to the children’s positive well-being but not to the emotional support given to each parent. The latter association was dependent on the emotional support received from each parent. The results also showed that emotional support given to each parent made a stronger contribution to children’s positive well-being than emotional support received from each parent. Adult children’s emotional support given to their parents made a stronger contribution to the positive well-being of these children than emotional support received from their parents. Providing parents with emotional support may contribute to a sense of reciprocity and connectedness that positively relates to adult children’s positive well-being. Further studies are recommended to examine emotional support exchange of adult children and their parents in other countries and cultural contexts as well as to compare the reports of both children and parents on their relationships.

Fostering Participant Health Knowledge and Attitudes: An Econometric Study of a Chronic Disease-Focused Online Health Community

Health consumers are increasingly participating in consumer-to-consumer (C2C) online health communities (OHCs) to receive health-related support and to provide assistance and support to others. However, questions remain as to how individual OHC participants are affected by the relationships they have established within an OHC and how the content exchanged between OHC participants impacts individual-level health knowledge and attitudes. To address these open questions, we develop a model that integrates participant network position (i.e., structural social capital) in an OHC, informational and emotional support exchange, and downstream individual-level health knowledge and attitudes. Based on a panel dataset collected from nine chronic disease-focused discussion boards within an OHC platform, we find that structural social capital is indeed a significant antecedent to social support exchange within an OHC and, interestingly, that social support provisioning (i.e., proactively aiding others) has a stronger effect than social support receipt on health literacy and health attitude improvement.