Higher Levels Of Social Support Research Articles

Health Literacy and Demand for Medical Cannabis use among Colorectal Cancer Patients in Northern Thailand: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aimed to explore health literacy and factors associated with demand for medical cannabis (MC) use among colorectal cancer (CRC) patients in Northern Thailand as a target group. This cross-sectional analytical study administered multistage random sampling to recruit 439 CRC patients in northern Thailand. Ethical approval and signed written informed consents were obtained from the patients, prior to the study. A standardized, self-administered structured questionnaire was used to obtain the sociodemographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, social support, attitudes toward MC, knowledge about MC, health literacy about MC, and questions on demand for MC use. The scores from all questionnaires were converted to percentages before analysis. A total of 146 (33.26%) of patients with CRC reported demand to use MC. The multivariable analysis revealed that factors associated with demand for MC among CRC patients included: had high levels of health literacy about MC (adj.OR = 7.71; 95% CI: 4.28 to 13.87), aged less than 45 years (adj.OR =5.09; 95% CI: 2.78 to 9.34), positive attitudes toward MC use (adj.OR = 4.66; 95% CI: 2.68 to 8.10), and higher levels of social support (adj.OR =4.14; 95% CI: 2.39 to 7.17) when controlling effect of other covariates. Health literacy is an important factor affecting the demand for MC use of CRC patients. Therefore, improving health literacy, social support, and attitudes about MC especially among younger CRC patients, could help increase demand for MC as a complementary and alternative medicine alongside cancer treatment.

The transmission of intergenerational trauma and protective factors in survivors of the lebanese civil war and their adult offspring

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to examine the transmission of intergenerational trauma in survivors of the Lebanese civil war and their adult offspring. To examine potential mechanisms, it was hypothesized that the relationship between parental war exposure and offspring psychopathology was statistically mediated by (i) parental psychopathology and (ii) offspring exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACE). Finally, it was predicted that spirituality and social support might buffer against the effects of adversity and therefore moderate the association between trauma exposure and psychopathology. MethodAn online questionnaire-based study was conducted, recruiting 110 dyads of parents who had lived through the Lebanese civil war and their post-war born adult offspring. Parental war exposure and trauma symptoms [with the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ)] and offspring adverse childhood experiences and trauma symptoms [with Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) and Impact of Events Scale Revised (IES-R)] were assessed. Both parents and offspring’s distress [with Beirut Distress Scale (BDS-10)], depression and anxiety symptoms [with Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21)], perceived social support [with Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS)], and perceived spirituality [with Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS)] were measured. ResultsParental war exposure and offspring psychopathology were statistically mediated by parental psychopathology, but not ACE exposure. Offspring of parents with (vs without) high levels of psychopathology had 3.72 times higher odds of reporting high levels of psychopathology themselves. Findings showed that the correlation between trauma exposure and psychopathology was moderated by perceived social support and spirituality. However, the correlation was only significant for higher levels of social support and spirituality. DiscussionThese results suggest that the presence of the proximal risk factor "low social support” may affect psychopathology negatively no matter the amount of adverse experiences consistent with a recency model of adversity. If social support is at least moderate, the distal risk factor “adverse experiences/ war trauma” impacts psychopathology. Overall, these findings highlight the need for trauma-informed mental health support for people fleeing from or residing in countries with ongoing or recent armed conflicts.

Assessment of Perceived Social Support among People Living with HIV/AIDS in Lahore

HIV/AIDS cases are on rise in Pakistan at one of the fastest rates in Asia. People living with HIV/AIDS face numerous problems directly affecting the treatment outcome along with other aspects of their lives. One such factor is social support which directly affects the quality of life and treatment outcome of people living with HIV/AIDS. Objective: To explore the perceived social support available in people living with HIV/AIDS. Methods: This cross-sectional research studied 300 individuals living with HIV/AIDS and seeking treatment from Antiretroviral therapy (ART) centres of Punjab Aids Control Program in Lahore. The participants were selected through nonprobability purposive sampling technique from the Punjab Aids Control Program treatment centers and included males (77%), females (17 %) and transgenders (5 %). Social support was measured through Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) Urdu version. Results: Participants scored highest on family social support and lowest on friends social support from subscale. The scores on social support taken from three main sources indicate the medium levels and composite score reveal high levels of social support. Family and friends subscales show significant variations in scores across gender. Income and employment status revealed the same pattern of association with all types of social support. However, age, gender, marital status and family style showed varying pattern of association. Conclusions: Findings provided insights into perceived social support of people living with HIV/AIDS in Lahore and also identified a set of factors associated with social support.

Mental health and resilience quotient of patients in primary care units during the widespread COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand: a cross-sectional study.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic impacted both the physical and mental health of individuals. The resilience quotient (RQ) is an important factor that decreases mental health problems. This study aimed to explore mental health problems and RQ in patients who visit Primary Care Units (PCU). A cross-sectional study was conducted on participants aged 18 to 60years who visited the PCU of Songklanagarind Hospital from May 1, 2022, to June 31, 2022. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire on baseline characteristics and the Primary Care Assessment, Personal Resource Questionnaire, satisfaction with life scale, Thai RQ, PHQ-9, and GAD-7, and the results were analyzed by descriptive, logistic regression, and Spearman's rank correlation. Among the 216 participants, 72.2% were female, and the median age was 39 (24,51) years old. Most of them had normal RQ levels (61.1%). Of these, 4.2% and 12.1% exhibited moderate to high levels of depression and anxiety, respectively. This study found that sex (OOR 1.93; 95% CI 1.01-3.74), age (OOR 1.03; 95% CI 1.01-1.06), moderate and high social support levels (OOR 9.51; 95% CI 3.36-28.85), and a high life satisfaction level (OOR 4.67; 95%CI 1.75-13.25) were associated with RQ. Moreover, the results showed that ≥ 3 times visiting PCU (β 1.73; 95% CI 0.39-3.08), BMI (β 0.13; 95% CI 0.04-0.23) and experiencing stressful events (β 2.34; 95% CI 1.32-3.36) were positively associated with depression. Finally, experiencing stressful events (OR 4.1; 95% CI 1.09-15.47) significantly affected anxiety, however, moderate and high life satisfaction levels acted as a protective factor against anxiety (OR 0.19; 95% CI 0.07-0.54 and OR 0.03; 95% CI 0.01-0.16, respectively). Although there were a few patients with moderate to severe levels of depression and anxiety, most of them had normal RQ levels. However, there were some patients with low RQ levels which correlated to a high risk of psychiatric diseases such as depression and anxiety. Healthcare providers should focus on interventions that enhance resilience in both proactive and defensive strategies to reduce negative mental problems during these formidable times.

Examining Associations Between School Connectedness, Social Support, Violence, and Firearm Carrying.

Firearms are the leading cause of pediatric deaths. Few studies have identified protective factors that reduce the risk of firearm violence. Interpersonal factors, including school connectedness and social support, protect against multiple health-affecting risk behaviors. Therefore, this study examines associations of school connectedness and social support with firearm and weapon violence involvement. Data were gathered through an anonymous survey conducted across 13 high schools within an urban school district in 2018 (n = 2,604) modeled on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey. Separate hierarchical logistic regression models examined associations between school connectedness and social support, and the outcomes of firearm carrying and engaging in violence with a weapon on school property in the past 12 months. Models were adjusted for age, race, and covariates representing basic needs, education, and mental health. The mean age was 15.7 years, and 57.5% of youth were female. 5.8% of youth had carried firearms and 5.5% engaged in violence with a weapon on school property in the past 12 months. School connectedness was significantly inversely associated with engaging in violence with a weapon on school property (odds ratio [OR] 0.225, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.080, 0.632] and high levels of social support were significantly inversely associated with firearm carrying (OR 0.522, 95% CI [0.313, 0.870]). School connectedness and social support may be important in protecting youth from firearm and weapon-related violence. Interventions that strengthen safe and supportive interpersonal relationships within school environments and broader support systems across contexts may help reduce firearm and weapon violence involvement.

Potentially modifiable risk and protective factors affecting mental and emotional wellness in pregnancy.

Impaired mental and emotional wellness often co-occurs with prenatal substance use, and both affect infant socio-emotional, cognitive, language, motor, and adaptive behavioral outcomes. Guided by the modified biopsychosocial framework, this study examined the role of common substance exposures during pregnancy (i.e., alcohol and cannabis), socio-cultural factors (social support during pregnancy, adverse childhood experiences), and reproductive health factors on maternal mental health (MMH). Data were obtained from a prospective cohort study-Ethanol, Neurodevelopment, Infant, and Child Health (ENRICH-2), and included 202 pregnant persons. Alcohol and cannabis exposures were assessed through repeated prospective interviews and a comprehensive battery of drug and ethanol biomarkers. MMH outcomes were evaluated during the third trimester through the Perceived Stress Scale, Edinburgh Depression Scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorders-7, and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Univariate and multivariable linear regression models evaluated significant predictors of MMH. Results of multivariable analysis indicate that both maternal adverse childhood experiences and alcohol exposure, even at low-to-moderate levels, during pregnancy were associated with poorer scores for most MMH measures, while higher level of social support and Spanish as the primary language at home (as a proxy of enculturation) had protective effects (all p's < 0.05). These findings highlight the importance of assessing substance use, including periconceptional alcohol exposure, and mental health in pregnant persons as closely related risk factors which cannot be addressed in isolation. Our findings also emphasize a strong protective effect of socio-cultural factors on maternal mental and emotional wellbeing-a strong precursor to maternal-infant bonding and infant neurodevelopment.

School characteristics and pupils' thoughts of leaving upper secondary school: The INSchool project.

Understanding pupils' thoughts about leaving school may contribute to better identify those at risk of dropping out. Thus, we explored the associations between perceived psychological demands, decision control, and social support from teacher and fellow pupils, and pupils' thoughts about leaving upper secondary school. Cross-sectional data from a convenience non-probability sample of 249 pupils from 12 Norwegian upper secondary schools were collected using a school-modified version of the work-focused Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ). Adjusted logistic regression was used to analyze the data. Pupils who experienced higher psychological demands and lower social support from fellow pupils were more likely to experience thoughts of leaving school compared to those who experienced lower demands and high levels of social support. Decision control was not significantly associated with thoughts about leaving school. High psychological demands may increase the likelihood of considering leaving school. Peer support can lessen such thoughts. Implication: Identifying whether pupils are thinking about leaving school can help identify those who are at risk of dropping out of upper secondary school.

The effect of students' effort-reward imbalance on learning engagement: the mediating role of learned helplessness and the moderating role of social support.

To explore the predictive effect of effort-reward imbalance on students' learning engagement and to elucidate the underlying mechanism, 796 students were selected for a survey. The participants were required to complete four scales: the Effort-reward Imbalance Scale, the Learning Engagement Scale, the Learned Helplessness Questionnaire, and the Perceived Social Support Scale. (1) Students' effort-reward imbalance significantly and negatively predicts their learning engagement; (2) Learned helplessness serves as a mediator in the relationship between students' effort-reward imbalance and learning engagement; (3) Social support plays a moderating role in the association between effort-reward imbalance and learned helplessness. High levels of social support can buffer the impact of an effort-reward imbalance on learned helplessness, and the protective effect of social support is more obvious when the effort-reward imbalance is low. The present study revealed how an effort-reward imbalance affects learning engagement among students through the dimensions of learned helplessness and perceived social support. The constructed model not only further clarifies the mechanism underlying the relationship between effort-reward imbalance and learning engagement but also holds significant implications for guiding students' education.

The protective roles of coping self-efficacy and social support for posttraumatic stress during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study examined the roles of social support and coping self-efficacy (CSE) in attenuating posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic among a nonclinical university student sample. Participants (n = 610; 59% female) completed questionaries assessing psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale) at baseline and 6-month follow-up, and social support (Interpersonal Support Evaluation List-12), CSE Scale, and PTS symptoms (Impact of Event Scale-Revised) at 6 months. A path analysis was conducted using SPSS Amos to examine the direct and indirect pathways from psychological distress to PTS symptoms that are accounted for by social support and CSE, controlling for gender. All direct effects in the path analysis were significant except for the relationship between social support and PTS symptoms. Notably, CSE was directly related to PTS symptoms (CSE: β = -.30, p < .001). There was a significant indirect effect of early psychological distress on PTS symptoms 6 months into the pandemic through social support and CSE (β = .14, p < .001). Individuals with higher levels of social support are more likely to have greater confidence in their coping capabilities, which helps to explain PTS symptom severity after controlling for initial levels of psychological distress and gender. These findings suggest that following a potentially traumatic event, CSE may be one factor to screen for to better identify individuals who are at higher risk for significant psychological difficulties and may benefit from interventions that bolster protective factors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Relationship Between Square Dancing and Meaning in Life Among Older Adults: Examining an Age-Based Moderation Model.

Square dancing may help older adults experience meaning in life (MIL). However, it remains unclear how square dancing facilitates MIL. To address this question, we examined whether participation frequency, transcendent experiences, and social support correlated positively with MIL, and whether age moderated the correlation between transcendent experiences and MIL. We studied 268 older adults using in-person surveys to collect data on age, participation frequency, transcendent experiences, social support, and MIL. We analyzed data using hierarchical regression. High frequency of participation and high levels of transcendent experiences and social support simultaneously predicted high levels of MIL, and age decreased the positive relationship between transcendent experiences and MIL. Based on the hierarchical regression results, we recommend strategies to increase older adults' MIL by providing square dancing opportunities; working with them to improve square dancing skills that facilitate transcendent experiences; and guiding them in seeking sources of social support. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, 17(3), 141-147.].

Is fear of disease progression associated with antiretroviral therapy adherence in persons with HIV/AIDS?

We examined the mediating role of depression and anxiety on the relationship between fear of disease progression (FoP) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence and the moderating role of social support in the FoP-depression/anxiety-ART adherence relationship in persons with HIV/AIDS (PWHA). 202 PWHA completed self-report measures. Simple mediation and moderated mediation analyses were performed. FoP was directly and negatively associated with ART adherence, and the mediating role of depression in this relationship was significant. Indirect effect of FoP mediated by anxiety on ART adherence was not significant. The moderating effect of social support was significant in the FoP-depression pathway, while the indirect effect of FoP on ART adherence mediated by depression was greatest at a higher level of social support and lower level of FoP. The results suggest the relevance of high FoP and depression-mediated FoP in ART adherence and social support may attenuate the negative impact of FoP.

The relationship between family communication and family resilience in Chinese parents of depressed adolescents: a serial multiple mediation of social support and psychological resilience

BackgroundFamily resilience plays a crucial role in helping depressed adolescents overcome challenges. However, studies examining family resilience in depressed adolescents are currently scarce. This study, guided by the family resilience framework, aimed to investigate the serial-multiple mediation of social support and psychological resilience between family communication and family resilience in Chinese families of depressed adolescents.MethodsIn 229 parents of adolescents with major depressive disorder, 20.1% comprises of fathers, while 79.9% comprises of mothers. The mean age of depressed adolescents was 14.84 (±1.76) years, and the mean age of parents of these depressed adolescents was 43.24 (±4.67) years. The Family Resilience Assessment Scale (FRAS), the Psychological Resilience of Parents of Special Children Questionnaire, and the Social Support Rating Scale, Family Assessment Device (FAD) were used to collected data. Descriptive, univariate, and Pearson correlation analyses were used in preliminary analyses. To explore mediation, we employed a serial-multiple mediation model (PROCESS model 6).ResultsFamily communication was positively correlated with family resilience, social support, and psychological resilience. Mediation analysis revealed indirect effects of family communication on family resilience, which were mediated solely by either social support or psychological resilience, or through multiple mediation pathways involving both social support and psychological resilience.ConclusionsFamily communication positively and directly affects the family resilience of depressed adolescents, and a higher level of social support and psychological resilience can help improve family resilience. These findings not only provide empirical evidence supporting the family resilience framework but also have practical implications for future family interventions targeting depressed adolescents.

Quality of Life, Fatigue and Social Support Among Healthcare Professionals During the COVID 19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

Background: With the demanding nature of their work, healthcare professionals often face challenges that can affect their overall well-being. Understanding the factors that affect their quality of life is crucial to developing effective interventions and support systems. Aim: The present systematic review investigated the relationship between quality of life, fatigue, and social support among healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The search for studies included in the study was performed using four online databases: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science. The search was limited to articles published in English between January 1, 2020 and March 31, 2023. In total, 14 articles were included in the systematic review. Results: The findings of this work showed a negative correlation between fatigue and quality of life in health professionals, as well as a positive correlation between social support and quality of life. Furthermore, it was found that the increased social support of healthcare professionals during the period of COVID-19 is associated with a better quality of professional life. Conclusion: It seems that higher levels of social support are associated with lower levels of anxiety and depression among health professionals.

Social support buffers the impact of pregnancy stress on perceptions of parent-infant closeness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pregnant individuals and parents have experienced elevated mental health problems and stress during COVID-19. Stress during pregnancy can be harmful to the fetus and detrimental to the parent-child relationship. However, social support is known to act as a protective factor, buffering against the adverse effects of stress. The present study examined whether (1) prenatal stress during COVID-19 was associated with parent-infant closeness at 6 months postpartum, and (2) social support moderated the effect of prenatal stress on the parent-infant relationship. In total, 181 participants completed questionnaires during pregnancy and at 6 months postpartum. A hierarchical linear regression analysis was conducted to assess whether social support moderated the effect of stress during pregnancy on parent-infant closeness at 6 months postpartum. Results indicated a significant interaction between prenatal stress and social support on parents' perceptions of closeness with their infants at 6 months postpartum (β=.805, p=.029); parents who experienced high prenatal stress with high social support reported greater parent-infant closeness, compared to those who reported high levels of stress and low social support. Findings underscore the importance of social support in protecting the parent-infant relationship, particularly in times of high stress, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Marital Status, Living Arrangement, and Survival among Individuals with Advanced Prostate Cancer in the International Registry for Men with Advanced Prostate Cancer.

Studies have shown improved survival among individuals with cancer with higher levels of social support. Few studies have investigated social support and overall survival (OS) in individuals with advanced prostate cancer in an international cohort. We investigated the associations of marital status and living arrangements with OS among individuals with advanced prostate cancer in the International Registry for Men with Advanced Prostate Cancer (IRONMAN). IRONMAN is enrolling participants diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer (metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, mHSPC; castration-resistant prostate cancer, CRPC) from 16 countries. Participants in this analysis were recruited between July 2017 and January 2023. Adjusting for demographics and tumor characteristics, the associations were estimated using Cox regression and stratified by disease state (mHSPC, CRPC), age (<70, ≥70 years), and continent of enrollment (North America, Europe, Other). We included 2,119 participants with advanced prostate cancer, of whom 427 died during up to 5 years of follow-up (median 6 months). Two-thirds had mHSPC. Most were married/in a civil partnership (79%) and 6% were widowed. Very few married participants were living alone (1%), while most unmarried participants were living alone (70%). Married participants had better OS than unmarried participants [adjusted HR: 1.44; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-2.02]. Widowed participants had the worst survival compared with married individuals (adjusted HR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.22-2.94). Among those with advanced prostate cancer, unmarried and widowed participants had worse OS compared with married participants. This research highlighted the importance of social support in OS within this vulnerable population.

Aging in place in rural Northeast China: a mixed methods examination of the influence of social capital on mental well-being in middle and late adulthood.

The rural development strategy in contemporary China has evolved from focusing solely on "absolute poverty alleviation" to addressing multiple dimensions, including "targeting relative poverty and revitalizing the entire rural area." Using a mixed-methods approach, our study aimed to examine whether and how social capital, particularly social support and social trust, influences the mental well-being of middle-aged and older people aging in place in a remote rural Northeast area of China, exploring three constructs: life purpose, self-actualization, and capability. Our quantitative findings revealed that higher levels of social support and social trust were positively related to higher levels of life purpose. Increased social support was positively related to increased life purpose through increased social trust. However, the associations between social support, social trust, and the constructs of self-actualization and capability were not substantiated after controlling for covariates. Our interview data illuminated how middle-aged and older people perceived the interplay between social support, social trust, and mental well-being.

Mental Health Care Utilization and its Barriers among Iranian Breast Cancer Survivors: A Cross-sectional Study.

Depression and anxiety are common comorbidities complicating the care of breast cancer patients, but many patients do not receive the needed care. We aimed to assess utilization of mental health care and its barriers in breast cancer survivors. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 311 patients with breast cancer, in Iran, November 2021 to March 2022. Perceived need and utilization of mental health care and barriers to service utilization were measured based on self-report. Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support were used to assess depression, anxiety, and stress as well as social support, respectively. A linear and logistic regression model was used to analyze the data using SPSS version 22. A P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. 70.1% of the participants perceived need for mental health care, 28.0% of them had used mental health services, and 72% were classified as having unmet needs. The most common perceived barrier to service use was patients' self-adequacy. The prevalence of extremely severe levels of depression, anxiety, and stress was 14.8%, 23.5%, and 10.6%. Also, 48.6%, 78.5%, and 75.6% of patients received a high level of social support from friends, family, and significant others. Findings highlight a substantial unmet need for mental health care and low utilization of mental health services among breast cancer survivors. Given the significant prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress in this population, it is imperative to address the underutilization of mental health services and to further examine the barriers preventing patients from seeking the care they require.

Effects of work-family conflict, social support and burnout on job satisfaction among primary care physicians in Huaihai economic zone.

Primary care physicians (PCPs) are doctors in primary health care institutions, namely village clinics, township health centers and community health service centers (stations) who are the main providers of primary health care services in primary health care settings. Improving the overall health status of the population requires the support of a large number of primary care physicians; however, the job satisfaction of this group has not been sufficiently emphasized and recognized. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of primary care physicians' work-family conflict on their job satisfaction, as well as the mediating role of burnout and the moderating role of social support. This cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2023 to March 2023. Participants were 749 primary care physicians from four cities of Xuzhou, Linyi, Huaibei, and Shangqiu in the Huaihai Economic Zone of China. SPSS statistical analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between work-family conflict, social support, burnout and job satisfaction among medical workers. Work-family conflict had a significant negative effect on job satisfaction (β = -0.36, p< 0.001), after adding burnout in the model, work-family conflict also negatively predicted job satisfaction (β = -0.32, p< 0.001). Social support had a moderating effect on the direct effect of burnout on job satisfaction (β = 0.00, t = 2.66, p< 0.01, 95%CI [0.001, 0.007]), the predictive effect of burnout on job satisfaction at high level of social support (β = -0.45, p< 0.001) was higher than a low level of social support (β = -0.33, p< 0.001). This study demonstrated the negative impact of work-family conflict on primary care physicians' job satisfaction, as well as the mediating role of burnout and the moderating role of social support on burnout and job satisfaction, which are important for improving primary care physicians' job satisfaction and enhancing the quality of primary care in the future.

Perceived social support and psychological distress in a sample of Peruvian university students: A correlational study

Introduction: Perceived social support plays a crucial role in students' university experience, influencing their emotional well-being, academic adaptation, and success in university.Objective: To determine whether perceived social support is associated with psychological distress in a sample of Peruvian university students.Methods: Quantitative, non-experimental, correlational, cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 220 students of both sexes who were administered the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and the Psychological Distress Scale, both instruments with adequate psychometric properties. Data were processed using SPSS version 25, and the Spearman's rho correlation coefficient was used to identify the potential relationship between study variables.Results: It was found that 30% of students perceived a high level of social support. Additionally, it was identified that the psychological distress level of 35% of students was regular. Furthermore, it was determined that psychological distress was inversely and significantly correlated with the perceived social support variable (rho= -0.526; p&lt;0.05) and the family (rho= -0.575; p &lt;0.05), friends (rho= -0.501; p &lt;0.05), and others (rho= -0.518; p&lt;0.05) dimensions.Conclusions: Perceived social support is inversely and significantly related to psychological distress in a sample of Peruvian university students. Therefore, it is recommended to strengthen social support networks and promote an inclusive environment that encourages open communication and access to mental health resources

Sleep quality and mental health among Chinese nurses after the COVID-19 pandemic: A moderated model.

In the specialized nursing setting, nurses are susceptible to developing negative mental health issues. Such conditions among nurses can potentially result in unfavorable medical outcomes. Consequently, this study aims to explore the role of social support in regulating between sleep and mental health in nurses. A cross-sectional study was carried out in September 2022 on 1219 nurses in Quanzhou. The study comprised general demographic information and utilized various questionnaires, namely the Social Support Rate Scale (SSRS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Questionnaire (PSQI), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The data analysis was performed using t-tests, ANOVAs, Pearsons correlations and hierarchical regression analyses in SPSS software. Results show that significant associations of sleep quality and social support with anxiety and depression. Simple slope analysis shows that under low levels of social support, sleep quality has a positive impact on anxiety(β = 0.598) and depression(β = 0.851), and the impact is significant. Under high levels of social support, sleep quality also has a positive impact on anxiety(β = 0.462) and depression(β = 0.578), but the impact is smaller. This indicates that as the level of social support increases, the positive predictive effect of sleep quality on anxiety and depression gradually diminishes. Social support has the potential to alter the impact of sleep quality on anxiety and depression. Therefore, healthcare policymakers need to focus on enhancing the level of social support and mitigating the impact of poor sleep on anxiety and depression.