Higher Social Support Scores Research Articles

Exploring the Influence of Perceived Social Support on Medication Adherence Among Patients With Chronic Hypertension in 2024: A Cross-Sectional Study From Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Background There is no doubt that hypertension is one of the most widespread global health problems, and it is essential to comply with prescribed medications for optimal control. A lack of studies on the effects of perceived social support (PSS) on medication adherence among hypertension patients, especially in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, made us conduct this study. Methods This was a cross-sectional study that targeted hypertension patients who were visiting primary healthcare centers under the Ministry of Health in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The Morisky Green and Levine (MGL) adherence scale and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were used to assess adherence and perceived social support, respectively. Results The study included 377 hypertensive patients with a mean age of 57 years (SD = 10). The majority were male (n=226, 59.9%) and married (n=261, 69.2%). Educational levels varied, with 148 (39.3%) completing high school and 79 (21%) holding a bachelor's degree or higher. Income distribution showed 166 (44%) earning less than 5,000 SAR and 47 (12.5%) earning over 15,000 SAR. Medication adherence, assessed using the MGL scale, revealed that 121 (32.1%) had low adherence, 206 (54.6%) had moderate adherence, and 50 (13.3%) had high adherence. Perceived social support, measured using the MSPSS scale, indicated that 219 (58.1%) reported high levels of support. A significant association between medication adherence and perceived social support was found (F = 10.293, p < 0.01), with moderate adherers having higher social support scores. Socio-demographic factors influencing adherence included marital status, education level, income, and occupation, with significant associations for each (p < 0.01). Married participants and those with higher education and income levels had greater adherence. Government employees showed the highest moderate adherence while the unemployed and homemakers had lower adherence. No significant associations were found between gender or age and adherence. Conclusion Higher levels of perceived social support,in addition to the influence of socio-demographic factors, are associated with better medication adherence. Targeted interventions addressing these factors could enhance medication adherence and improve health outcomes in this population.

Variations in Depression and Anxiety among Jordanian Women Undergoing Mastectomy and Reconstruction Surgery: Impact of Familial Support.

Depression and anxiety are common among breast cancer patients, due to the ongoing mental distress during illness. This study examines the impact of family support on depression and anxiety changes in Jordanian women undergoing mastectomy and reconstruction surgery. We conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate the effect between family support and depression/anxiety levels in women post-mastectomy in Jordan. Participants included breast cancer patients who had undergone mastectomy surgery, meeting specified inclusion criteria. We collected data on socio-demographic variables via a questionnaire between October 2023 and January 2024. Depression and anxiety levels were assessed using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 Items (DASS-21), while social support was evaluated using the Social Support Survey. A significantly negative correlation was observed between the DASS-21 score and social support, indicating that higher levels of social support were associated with lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress (p-value: 0.001). Additionally, analyzing the correlation between physical therapy, social support (median scores: 76 vs. 90, p = 0.021), and DASS-21 (median scores: 25 vs. 11, p < 0.001) revealed significant findings. Specifically, individuals who had received physical therapy exhibited significantly lower DASS-21 scores and higher social support scores. Our study underscores the significant role of family support in alleviating depression and anxiety levels among women with breast cancer. Strong family support emerges as a key factor in improving the emotional well-being of these individuals.

Does arts and cultural group participation influence subsequent well-being? A longitudinal cross-country comparison of older adults in Japan and England

IntroductionArts engagement is a positive health behaviour that could support the mental and social well-being of ageing populations globally. However, research is predominantly from Western countries, leaving it unclear whether...

Prevalence of mobile phone addiction and poor mental health, and factors associated with mental health among medical students in Southeast Iran

BackgroundMobile phone addiction is on the rise among various populations, particularly among the younger generations. This phenomenon can significantly impact various aspects of life, particularly mental health. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of mobile phone addiction and mental health, as well as the associated factors of mental health among medical students in southeast Iran in 2023.MethodsUsing stratified sampling, 365 students from the Kerman University of Medical Sciences were included from May to June 2023. The data collection tool comprised a questionnaire assessing general health (GHQ-28), mobile phone addiction, and social support. Logistic regression was used to examine the associated factors of mental health.ResultsThe prevalence of mobile phone addiction and poor mental health among students was 46.6% (95% Confidence Intervals [CI]: 41.4; 51.7) and 52.9% (95% CI: 47.7; 57.9), respectively. The results of the multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that individuals with mobile phone addiction had higher odds of experiencing a poor mental health situation (Adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 2.01; 95% CI: 1.30, 3.09). Conversely, participants with higher social support scores were less likely to have poor health (aOR = 0.95; 95% CI: 0.94, 0.97).ConclusionWe found a high prevalence of mobile phone addiction. Considering the association between mobile phone addiction and mental health, it is necessary to prevent the complications and risks caused by mobile phone addiction; it requires educational planning, counseling, and behavior among vulnerable students.

Development and validation of a brief three-item form of the perceived social support questionnaire (F-SozU K-3)

ObjectiveThe purpose of the present study was to develop and validate a brief screening instrument (F-SozU K-3) for the measurement of perceived social support in large scale surveys by shortening a well-established German questionnaire (F-SozU K-6). MethodFirst, a brief three-item version of the F-SozU was developed based on a representative sample of N = 2482 respondents using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Second, the newly developed brief three-item questionnaire was evaluated and standardized in an independent second representative population sample (N = 2501). ResultsA suitable three-item solution with a good internal consistency (α = 0.89, ω = 0.89) was identified. Full invariance across sex and partnership was established. Construct validity of the brief three-item form was established. Younger age, female sex, partnership status, and current employment were positively associated with higher social support scores. Norm values for the general sample and separately for sex and partnership status were reported. ConclusionsThe newly developed F-SozU K-3 is a reliable and valid screening instrument. It can be used as an economical alternative to previous longer instruments, especially in large scale surveys.

Mild traumatic brain injury, PTSD symptom severity, and behavioral dyscontrol: a LIMBIC-CENC study.

Behavioral dyscontrol occurs commonly in the general population and in United States service members and Veterans (SM/V). This condition merits special attention in SM/V, particularly in the aftermath of deployments. Military deployments frequently give rise to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and deployment-related mild TBI traumatic brain injury (TBI), potentially leading to manifestations of behavioral dyscontrol. Examine associations among PTSD symptom severity, deployment-related mild traumatic brain injury, and behavioral dyscontrol among SM/V. Secondary cross-sectional data analysis from the Long-Term Impact of Military-Relevant Brain Injury Consortium - Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium prospective longitudinal study among SM/V (N = 1,808). Univariable and multivariable linear regression models assessed the association and interaction effects between PTSD symptom severity, as assessed by the PTSD Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th edition (PCL-5), and deployment-related mild TBI on behavioral dyscontrol, adjusting for demographics, pain, social support, resilience, and general self-efficacy. Among the 1,808 individuals in our sample, PTSD symptom severity (B = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.22, 0.25, p < 0.001) and deployment-related mild TBI (B = 3.27, 95% CI: 2.63, 3.90, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with behavioral dyscontrol in univariable analysis. Interaction effects were significant between PTSD symptom severity and deployment mild TBI (B = -0.03, 95% CI: -0.06, -0.01, p = 0.029) in multivariable analysis, indicating that the effect of mild TBI on behavioral dyscontrol is no longer significant among those with a PCL-5 score > 22.96. Results indicated an association between PTSD symptom severity, deployment-related mild TBI, and behavioral dyscontrol among SM/V. Notably, the effect of deployment-related mild TBI was pronounced for individuals with lower PTSD symptom severity. Higher social support scores were associated with lower dyscontrol, emphasizing the potential for social support to be a protective factor. General self-efficacy was also associated with reduced behavioral dyscontrol.

Stress responses, social support and death care experience among spouse caregivers of young and middle-aged patients with terminal cancer: a mixed-methods analysis.

Faced with cancer patients in the near-death stage, spousal caregivers may experience a series of stress reactions and have a high risk of suffering from physical and psychological problems. Good social support can help alleviate stressful reactions. To investigate stress responses and social support among spouse caregivers of young and middle-aged patients with terminal cancer in the near-death stage, and to explore the death care experience of spouse caregivers. A prospective mixed-methods study was conducted. Questionnaires of stress response questionnaire and social support rating scale were used to investigate stress responses and social support of spouse caregivers. And semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore the death care experience of spouse caregivers in at a university-affiliated hospital in China. Spouse caregivers with higher social support scores were significantly more likely to have poor stress response. Meanwhile, whether the spouses had alternative care for other dependents, the number of venous pathways and instruments in/on the patient's body significantly affected the spousal stress response. Among them, spousal social support was the best influencing factor to predict spousal stress response. Four qualitative themes of the death care experience were identified. Theme 1: Psychological feelings of spouses caregivers when they care for the patients' physical function. Theme 2: Psychological feelings of spouse caregivers when they communicated with the patients. Theme 3: Psychological feelings of spouses caregivers when they will being widowed soon. Theme 4: The focus of life shift, and life concept change. Overall, spousal stress response was statistically affected by alternative caregivers for spouses, spousal social support, and the number of venous pathways and instruments in/on the patient's body. Among that, social support was the best influencing factor to predict the stress response. Meanwhile, spousal caregivers was distressed and felt deeply fear, wronged and helpless deep and when facing the patients' dying symptoms and communicating with patient, and reflected on the essence of life, and changing the concept of life. Medical staff should pay special attention to spousal caregivers' physical discomfort and improve spousal social support, and provide targeted information and assistance to decrease spousal stress response in the near-death stage of cancer patients.

Association Between Social Support and PHQ-4 Scores at a Student-Run Free Clinic

Background: Student-run free clinics (SRFCs) can provide quality mental health care to low-income and uninsured populations who are at a greater risk of depression. Evidence demonstrates the association between social support and severity of depression, but this relationship has not been analyzed in an SRFC. Thus, we assessed the association between social support and depressive symptoms.Methods: We used electronic health records data for patients from 2013-2020 (n=2,501 patients). The dependent variable was severity of depression symptoms as determined by scores on the patient health questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4). Higher PHQ-4 scores correspond to increased severity of depression. The main predictor was the patient's social support, which was defined by their employment status, marital status, and the number of individuals in their household. We conducted a multinomial regression model to control for other patient-level factors (i.e. race, sex, and age).Results: When controlling for other factors, patients with higher social support scores had lower odds of scoring a 4 on the PHQ-4 (Odds ratio [OR]=0.838, 95% Confidence interval (CI)=0.770-0.912). When examining specific social support sources, when compared to patients who reported being not-married, those who were married had lower odds of scoring a 4 on the PHQ-4 (OR=0.578, 95% CI=0.401-0.833). Compared to patients who reported being employed, those who were unemployed had greater odds of scoring a 4 on the PHQ-4 (OR=2.323, 95% CI=1.766-3.055). We observed no significant differences in PHQ-4 by the number of people in the household.Conclusion: Patients with greater social support were associated with fewer depressive symptoms. Specifically, employment status and marital status may be larger contributors to a patient’s social support. Our results allow SRFCs to offer interventions such as investing in social work programs and community partnerships that offer professional development and employment opportunities to patients.

The study of relationship between occupational stress and sleep quality of video display terminals

Objective: To investigate the sleep quality of video operators in Shenzhen, and explore the relationship between sleep quality and occupational stress and different work and life habits. Methods: In December 2020, a cluster sampling method was used to investigate 791 video operators in Shenzhen from June to December 2020 who were engaged in printing, design, IT and other industries. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Scale was used to investigate the sleep quality of video operators, and the Job Content Questionnaire was used to investigate the occupational stress of video operators, The Pay Return Imbalance Questionnaire was used to investigate the pay return imbalance of video operators. The measurement data conforming to the normal distribution shall be expressed by mean±standard deviation, and t-test, analysis of variance and linear correlation analysis shall be adopted according to the type of independent variable. Those that do not conform to the normal distribution are described by the median M (Q(1), Q(3)), and two sample Wilcoxon test is used according to the binary data of independent variable type. Kruskal Wallis test was used for multi classification data, and Spearman rank correlation was used for single factor analysis for ordinal classification data. The counting data were analyzed by chi square test or Fisher exact probability method. Logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis. Results: the pittsburgh sleep quality index was 4.76±2.86. 499 of them had high sleep quality. 292 people had low sleep quality, accounting for 36.91% (292/791). Compared with the low sleep quality group, the high sleep quality group had lower work requirement scores (13.48±1.77), higher autonomy scores (24.08±3.33), higher social support scores (23.95±3.08), lower pay scores (16.11±2.63), higher return scores (31.11±3.65), and lower internal input scores (14.98±2.55). There were statistically significant differences between the two scales in each dimension index group (P<0.05). Multi factor unconditional logistic regression analysis showed that high education level (OR=1.57, 95%CI=1.26~1.98, P<0.05), occupational stress (OR=1.69, 95%CI=1.21~2.36, P<0.05), and high pay and low return (OR=1.41, 95%CI=1.01~1.96, P<0.05) were the main influencing factors of sleep quality. Conclusion: The occurrence of occupational stress in video operators is a risk factor for low sleep quality, which should be paid enough attention.

Related factors to the coping style of patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Coping style can affect the patient's physical and mental health management. Therefore this study aimed to identify factors related to the coping style of young and middle-aged sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) patients to provide reference for clinical nursing practice. A cross-sectional study was conducted on young and middle-aged SSNHL patients hospitalized in the otolaryngology departments of four hospitals in Suzhou City, China. A paper-based self-administered questionnaire investigated the patient's coping style and related factors. Multiple linear stepwise regression analysed the effective related factors in patients' coping styles. Among 872 patients, 866 completed the survey, with an average age of 37.27y. Factors related to the coping style of these patients included gender, chronic diseases, history of trauma, social support and type D personality (p<0.05). Female patients adopt more negative coping styles than male patients. Patients with chronic diseases or a history of trauma had more positive coping styles. Higher social support scores were related to improvements in coping style. Patients with type D personality were more likely to adopt negative coping styles. This study suggests that psychological assessment of patients, chronic diseases, history of trauma, social support and type D personality may benefit the understanding of these patients' coping styles and, as a consequence, may improve their stress management.

Income inequalities, social support and depressive symptoms among older adults in Europe: a multilevel cross-sectional study

This study analysed the association between income inequality and depression from a multilevel perspective among older adults in Europe, including an examination of the role of social support. The data came from Eurostat’s European Health Interview Survey (EHIS). Selected participants were aged 65 years or above (n = 68,417) and located in 24 European countries. The outcome variable (depression) was measured using the eight-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8). The resulting dataset included individual-level (level-1) and aggregate-level (level 2) exposure variables. Level-1 included income quintiles and social support as exposure variables and sex, age, living alone, limitation in activities of daily living and general activity limitation as control variables. Level 2 included the Gini coefficient, healthcare expenditure and dependency ratio. A multilevel linear regression analysis was performed with maximum likelihood (ML) estimation. All the income quintiles from 1 to 4 showed higher average scores for depression than quintile 5 (the highest). Higher social support scores were associated with lower scores for depression. An interaction was found between income quintile and social support, with higher levels of social support associated with lower scores for depression in quintiles 1 and 2. Higher Gini coefficient scores were associated with higher scores for depression. A significative random slope for social support was also found, meaning that the relationship between social support and depression differed across countries. No significant interaction was found between the Gini coefficient and social support. The study findings suggest that more unequal societies provide a less favourable context for the mental health of older adults. There are also significant country-dependent differences in terms of the relationship between support and mental health among older adults.

Disclosure of HIV status among patients new to HIV care in Southern Ethiopia: role of perceived social support and other factors

ABSTRACT Reports from Sub-Saharan Africa, with a large HIV-infected population, vary widely in how often HIV status is disclosed to others, including spouses and other partners. We surveyed 1799 Ethiopian HIV patients newly enrolled in care within the previous 3 months at one of 32 local hospitals and health centers about disclosure of HIV status and two perceived social support domains: emotional/informational (EI) and tangible assistance (TA) support. Disclosure to another person was reported by 1389 (77%) persons. Disclosure rates to specific persons were: spouses or other partners = 74%; mothers = 24%; fathers = 16%; children = 26%; other family members = 37%; friends = 19%, and neighbors/other community members = 13%. Disclosure to another person was associated with higher social support scores on both EI and TA domains, marriage, and a longer time knowing HIV status. In multivariate adjusted models, disclosure to any person, as well as disclosure specifically to a spouse or partner, were associated with higher EI and higher TA social support scores. Provision of knowledgeable and emotionally supportive assistance can be an important factor in facilitating HIV disclosure. Helping persons with HIV decide who to disclose to and how to do so in the most positive manner is an essential component of HIV care and support.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Social Support and Coping Among Afghan Refugees in Canada.

Posttraumatic-stress-disorder (PTSD) is one of the common mental health conditions among Afghan refugees resettled in developed countries. The current study explores how social support, coping and other factors correlate with PTSD in this population. A survey was conducted with 49 adult Afghan refugees (males 41%, female 59%) who completed Harvard Trauma Questionnaire during their visit to a Community Health Centre in Toronto. Bivariate analysis and structural-equation-modeling (SEM) were used to examine associations and pathways between PTSD and other variables. Mean PTSD score was 2.53 (SD 0.92) with 53% showing symptoms of PTSD which was significantly associated with age, unemployment, social support and self-rated health. SEM showed that higher social support scores were significantly associated with lower PTSD scores, and the effect of coping and English language were mediated through social support. The high prevalence of PTSD, its association with social support and self-rated health are important issues to be considered for refugee resettlement programs.

The Role of Social Support and Psychological Distress in Predicting Discharge: A Pilot Study for Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Patients

BackgroundBundled payment initiatives for joint replacement have prompted re-evaluation of the continuum of care with emphasis on anticipating disposition needs. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of social support and psychological distress in patient optimization after lower joint replacement. MethodsTwo hundred thirty-one patients undergoing elective joint replacement completed the Risk Assessment and Predictive Tool (RAPT) (social support assessment) and modified STarT Back Tool (mSBT) (assessment of pain-related psychological distress). Outcomes of interest were length of stay (LOS) and discharge location (home vs facility). ResultsNo significant differences in mSBT scores were observed across RAPT levels when comparing individuals by discharge location (P > .05). There was significant indirect effect (0.07; P < .001) between mSBT and LOS. Therefore, the mSBT does not predict discharge location as a standalone metric for this sample. Mediation analysis for LOS indicates that higher psychological distress was predictive of longer LOS. Higher psychological distress and lower social support are associated with longer LOS. Despite higher psychological distress scores, higher social support scores are associated with shorter LOS. ConclusionAnalysis of this cohort suggests that pre-operative assessments of social and psychological constructs may provide preparatory information for patient discharge status. The RAPT is important for predicting LOS and discharge location. The mSBT may be important for predicting LOS for individuals with low to moderate social support.

A Descriptive, Cross-sectional Study Among Chinese Patients to Identify Factors that Affect Psychosocial Adjustment to an Enterostomy

Physiological, psychological, and social problems may affect adaptation to living with a stoma. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted between March 2017 and June 2017 among patients culled from a manufacturer's database to identify factors that influence psychosocial adjustment in Chinese patients with an enterostoma. Patients with a history of ostomy surgery ≥1 month prior and who were ≥18 years of age, completed a primary school education, and able to communicate in Chinese were eligible to participate unless they had a history of psychosis, cognitive impairment, or participation in other research programs. After providing informed consent, participants completed a questionnaire that addressed demographic (age, gender, employment, educational level, marital status, medical payment method, living status, and area of residence) and stoma-related (date of surgery, preoperative stoma siting, ostomy appliance type, peristomal complications, regular defecation, stoma self-care ability, stoma-related communication with medical staff, level of understanding regarding stoma knowledge and care skills, appliance change knowledge/experience, and leakage history) factors. Social support was assessed using the 10-item Social Support Revalued Scale (SSRS), and 3 dimensions of adjustment (acceptance, continuous worry, and positive life attitude) were assessed using the 20-item Chinese version of the Ostomy Adjustment Inventory (OAI). Questionnaires were administered via an online survey platform. Data were analyzed descriptively, and single-factor analysis and stepwise multiple linear regression were applied to identify the factors that influenced the adjustment level. Incomplete (missing >2 questions), incorrect, or hastily completed (within 600 seconds) records were excluded from analysis. Of the 1109 persons who returned the questionnaire, 1010 (91.1%) completed the entire survey (564 men [55.8%] and 446 women [44.2%], mean age 56.62 ± 15.62 years); 823 (81.5%) had a colostomy and 187 (18.5%) had an ileostomy. The OAI dimension continuous worry was negatively and significantly associated with all 3 dimensions of the SSRS, including subjective support (r = 0.259), objective support (r = 0.259), and utilization of support (r = 0.289), while the dimension acceptance was positively associated with both subjective support (r = 0.082) and objective support (r = 0.074) (all P values <.05). Using multiple linear regression, residence area, peristomal complication, regular defecation, leaking, self-care ability, communication with medical staff regarding ostomy, understanding knowledge or skill needed for stoma care, utilization of social support, and total score of social support were found to be significantly associated with ostomy adjustment level (all P values <.05). Patients living in an urban area, with no history of peristomal complications, who had regular defecation, had not experienced leaking, had better self-care ability, frequently communicated with medical staff, had a high level understanding about knowledge or skill of stoma, and had higher social support scores had higher adjustment scores. Knowledge of the factors that enhance or hinder adaptation of the patient to the ostomy is an important tool in the clinician's care armamentarium.

Associations between social support, psychological well-being, decision making, empowerment, infant and young child feeding, and nutritional status in Ugandan children ages 0 to 24months.

Maternal capabilities-qualities of mothers that enable them to leverage skills and resources into child health-hold potential influence over mother's adoption of child caring practices, including infant and young child feeding. We developed a survey (n=195) that assessed the associations of 4 dimensions of maternal capabilities (social support, psychological health, decision making, and empowerment) with mothers' infant and young child feeding practices and children's nutritional status in Uganda. Maternal responses were converted to categorical subscales and an overall index. Scale reliability coefficients were moderate to strong (α range=0.49 to 0.80). Mothers with higher social support scores were more likely to feed children according to the minimum meal frequency (odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval (CI)]=1.38 [1.10, 1.73]), dietary diversity (OR [95% CI]=1.56 [1.15, 2.11]), iron rich foods, (OR [95% CI]=1.47 [1.14, 1.89]), and minimally acceptable diet (OR [95% CI]=1.55 [1.10, 2.21]) indicators. Empowerment was associated with a greater likelihood of feeding a minimally diverse and acceptable diet. The maternal capabilities index was significantly associated with feeding the minimum number of times per day (OR [95% CI]=1.29 [1.03, 1.63]), dietary diversity (OR [95% CI]=1.44 [1.06, 1.94]), and minimally acceptable diet (OR [95% CI]=1.43 [1.01, 2.01]). Mothers with higher psychological satisfaction were more likely to have a stunted child (OR [95% CI]=1.31 [1.06, 1.63]). No other associations between the capabilities scales and child growth were significant. Strengthening social support for mothers and expanding overall maternal capabilities hold potential for addressing important underlying determinants of child feeding in the Ugandan context.

Perceived social support affects disease coping among people living with HIV: a study in Tehran, Iran

ObjectiveTo examine potential correlations between perceived social support and disease coping styles among people living with HIV infection at a referral center in Tehran. MethodsIn an observational study, 112 patients were recruited between April and July 2012. Along with demographic characteristics, availability of tangible, informational, and emotional support was measured using subscales extracted from the medical outcomes study: social support survey; disease coping styles were investigated in four groups (problem-focused, emotion-focused, engagement-based, and meaning-based). Data were analyzed to examine whether social support subscales predict coping styles. ResultsAlmost 70% of the patients were male, and 52% reported sexual contact as their perceived route of infection. Use of coping styles was positively correlated with social support scores (rs = 0.53, P < 0.001), and informational support had significant influence on implementation of three out of the four coping styles (emotion-focused, problem-focused, engagement-based). Being married and not reporting the route of infection were associated with higher social support scores; monthly income and level of education had significant associations with the use of various coping styles. ConclusionsPatients who implement strategies to cope with HIV/AIDS have received more informational and emotional support. This study recommends that the delivery of informational support in a comprehensive package can practically target the current demands of our patients; while thorough investigation of potential effects on disease coping, response to treatment, and compliance can aid us in the design of interventions to target stigma at societal level.

Investigation of coping strategy for occupational stress among workers in thirteen enterprises

To investigate the influential factors for the coping strategy for occupational stress among workers in thirteen enterprises. An anonymous survey was conducted in 6711 workers in 13 enterprises selected by cluster sampling from November 2008 to June 2009. Coping strategy, occupational stressors, stress response, and social support were measured using occupational stress instruments, job content questionnaire, and effort-reward imbalance questionnaire. The data from 5338 workers were statistically analyzed; the overall response rate was 79.6%. The median coping strategy score was 26 (23-30) (P25∼P75). The coping strategy score of male workers (26.56±5.30) was significantly higher than that of female workers (26.07±5.37) (Z = 10.02, P < 0.01). Coping strategy score was the highest in managers (27.41±4.86) and the lowest in front-line workers (26.28±5.36), with a significant difference between the two groups (χ(2) = 5.38, P < 0.01). The coping strategy scores of workers with weekly job times of ≤40 h, 41-50 h, 51-59 h, and ≥ 60 h were 26.93±5.36, 26.72±5.11, 25.74±5.30, and 25.09±5.83, respectively (χ(2) = 22.12, P < 0.01). Correlation analysis revealed that coping strategy score was positively correlated with decision level (r = 0.183, P < 0.01), reward (r = 0.207, P < 0.01), positive emotion (r = 0.244, P < 0.01), superior support (r = 0.176, P < 0.01), coworker support (r = 0.176, P < 0.01), and job satisfaction (r = 0.171, P < 0.01), but negatively correlated with psychological demands (r = -0.157, P < 0.01), physical demands (r = -0.099, P < 0.01), negative emotion (r = -0.093, P < 0.01), and depressive symptoms scores (r = -0.208, P < 0.01). Compared with those with middle or low coping strategy scores, workers with high coping strategy scores reported higher decision level, reward, social support, job satisfaction, and positive emotion scores (P < 0.01) but lower depressive symptom and negative emotion scores (P < 0.01). Enterprise type, individual factors, health status, and work time, have effects on the coping strategy for occupational stress of occupational stress.

Social support as a predictor of early diagnosis, linkage, retention, and adherence to HIV care: results from the steps study.

Social support predicts adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in some settings but has not been well studied in persons newly diagnosed with HIV infection as a predictor of success through the cascade of HIV care. One hundred sixty-eight persons newly diagnosed with HIV completed the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey at diagnosis, and 129 were successfully followed for more than 12 months. Outcomes were earlier diagnosis of HIV infection, linkage to care, retention in care, ART use by 1 year, and adherence to ART. Higher social support scores (either overall or on a subscale) were associated with earlier HIV diagnosis, timely linkage to care, and adherence to ART. Social support did not predict use of ART or retention in HIV care. Success navigating some of the steps of HIV care is more likely with social support, but it is not sufficient to ensure success across the continuum of care.

Correlates of Self-Efficacy for Condom Use Among Male Clients of Female Sex Workers in Tijuana, Mexico

Male clients of female sex workers (FSWs) in Tijuana, Mexico engage in high levels of unprotected sex. While behavioral change theories posit that self-efficacy predicts condom use, correlates of self-efficacy for condom use remain largely unstudied. We examined these correlates among male clients of FSWs in Tijuana. Eligible male clients were at least 18 years of age, HIV-negative, lived in Tijuana or San Diego, reported unprotected sex with a Tijuana FSW at least once in the past 4 months, and agreed to be treated for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Participants completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire including demographics, substance use, psychosocial and psychosexual characteristics (e.g., outcome expectancies for negotiation of safer sex, social support, and sexual sensation seeking), and sexual behaviors. Participants also underwent HIV/STI testing. A stepwise hierarchical multiple regression analysis identified correlates of self-efficacy for condom use. Of 393 male clients, median age was 37 years. Participants were mostly Spanish-speaking and employed. Factors independently associated with higher self-efficacy for condom use were higher positive outcome expectancies for negotiation of safer sex, lower sexual sensation seeking scores, and higher social support scores. Both psychosocial and psychosexual factors may influence self-efficacy for condom use among male clients of FSWs. These factors represent central constructs in sociocognitive models that explain behavioral change and could be intervention targets for improving self-efficacy for condom use and, ultimately, safer sex behavior.