Levels Of Social Support Research Articles

Socioeconomic and Health Characteristics as Predictors of Social Support in Elderly People with Visual Impairment: Evidence from Serbia

Background: Social networks and support have an independent and strong influence on health and quality of life at all stages of the life cycle, especially in the elderly. We aimed to determine the level of social support among the elderly population of the Republic of Serbia. Methods: The survey is part of the fourth Health survey of the population of Serbia, which was conducted in 2019 by the Republic Institute of Statistics with the Institute for Public Health of Serbia "Dr. Milan Jovanović Batut" and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia. The research instrument was standardized questionnaires constructed in accordance with the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS, wave3) and the social support score (Oslo-3 Social Support Scale). For the purposes of this research, data on the population aged 65 and over were used. Results: In terms of social support, 85.8% of respondents had bad , 13.9% moderate and 0.3% strong. Univariate regression analysis determined that respondents from the territory of Vojvodina had a 1.6 times higher chance of poor social support compared to respondents from southern and eastern Serbia. The probability of bad social support was 1.5 times higher in persons who were never married/cohabiting, persons with secondary education were at 1.6 times higher risk of poor social support compared to persons with higher education. Inactive persons had poor social support 1.4 times more often than employed persons, as well as persons with comorbidities (OR=1.218). Conclusion: These researches are of great importance for public health because it provides valuable data for the creation of interventions that will intensify activities related to providing adequate social support to the elderly.

Depression, anxiety, psychological distress, and perceived social support among Ugandan palliative care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To identify the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and psychosocial distress among Ugandan palliative care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic, measure providers' perceived levels of social support, and identify factors affecting a provider's likelihood of being depressed, anxious, distressed, or perceiving various levels of social support. Data was collected from 123 palliative care providers using an online survey. Depression, anxiety, and psychological distress were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and the Self-Reporting Questionnaire, respectively. Information on perceived level of social support was gathered through the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. The survey also asked about mental health resources available to providers at their place of work and what resources are still needed. Participants ranged in age, gender, religion, marital status, clinical position, and years of experience in palliative care. Results indicate that 20% of respondents show signs of moderate to severe depression, 14% show signs of moderate to severe anxiety, and 33% show signs of psychological distress. Additionally, 50% of respondents reported a low total level of social support. Depression, anxiety, and psychological distress scores were all negatively correlated with perceived social support scores. Over 50% expressed a desire for additional mental health resources at their place of work. In 2021-2022, the severity of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress varied among palliative care providers in Uganda, with some experiencing moderate to severe mental health effects. Higher degrees of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress were correlated with lower levels of perceived social support, highlighting the importance of social support during times of crisis. The results highlight a desire for improved access to mental health resources and will help providers and organizations provide better support and better prepare for future crises.

Association between cognitive reserve proxies and frailty phenotype: data from UK Biobank.

A potential protective role of cognitive reserve proxies against frailty has been suggested in older adults. We explored the cross-sectional association between cognitive reserve indicators and frailty phenotype. Data were obtained from the UK Biobank. We included 31,975 dementia-free participants aged ≥ 60years (50.7% females, 2.2% frail) who completed a web-based cognitive assessment (fluid intelligence, working memory, visuospatial attention and processing speed, and executive functioning). Frailty was defined according to the Fried's phenotype (unintentional weight loss, exhaustion, low physical activity, slowness, and weakness). Participants meeting three or more criteria were classified as frail. Cognitive performance was compared between nonfrail and frail groups, and regression models were employed to analyze the associations between cognitive reserve proxies (education, skill level of occupation, social support, and multiple deprivation index (MDI)) and the likelihood of frailty. Frail and nonfrail groups significantly differed on cognitive function, with frail individuals demonstrating poorer performance on all cognitive functions (all p < .05) except fluid intelligence. Regression analysis showed that, after adjusting for age and sex, a lower educational level (odds ratio (OR) .797, 95% confidence interval (CI) .673-.944, p = .009), having maintained occupations with low cognitive requirements (OR .790, 95% CI .668-.936, p = .006), having less social support (OR .755, 95% CI .631-.903, p = .002), and living in a region with a high rate of multiple deprivation (OR 1.025, 95% CI 1.019-1.031, p < .001), significantly increased the probability of experiencing frailty. Our findings support the relationship between declined cognitive functions and frailty emphasizing the importance of implementing public health measures to enhance cognitive reserve.

Elder mistreatment and psychological resilience: the moderating role of social support

ABSTRACT This study examines the possible consequence of elder mistreatment on resilience and whether social support moderates this posited association, using a rural sample of 432 community-dwelling older Chinese adults aged 60 to 79 years. Elder abuse included verbal abuse, physical abuse, or financial exploitation. Social support was measured by The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Resilience was represented by a seven-item scale. Hierarchical regression models indicated that mistreatment is significantly related to low levels of resilience when confounding factors are adjusted. A significant interaction term (abuse × social support) was also detected. Mistreated respondents who reported higher levels of social support were less likely to experience low resilience compared to those with lower levels of social support. Social support buffers against the undesirable effect of mistreatment on resilience, especially for those who were abused.

Associations among combat exposure, adverse childhood experiences, moral injury, and posttraumatic growth in a large cohort of post-9/11 veterans.

Post-9/11 veterans experienced more deployments, combat exposure, and disability than earlier military cohorts. Those in the military are also more likely to have experienced adverse childhood experiences. Despite these traumatic exposures, a substantial number of veterans report experiencing personal growth, development, and maturity from their military service. This longitudinal survey study (n = 5,245) examined the degree to which posttraumatic growth (PTG) was present among post-9/11 veterans. Several components of PTG were examined, including relating to others, seeing new possibilities, personal strength, spiritual growth, and appreciation for life. Respondents rated their degree of personal growth and new appreciation of life most highly, while spiritual growth and appreciation of others were the least highly rated. Female veterans reported greater PTG. Veterans who experienced traumatic events (i.e., combat exposure, adverse childhood experiences), screened positive for posttraumatic stress disorder, and moral injury reported greater PTG than those who had not experienced those events or screened positive for posttraumatic stress disorder. Veterans reporting higher levels of social support and personal resilience were less likely to experience PTG. Veterans with other protective factors were more likely to experience PTG. Post-9/11 veterans report PTG in the face of various traumatic exposures. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Disability trajectories individuals with spinal cord injury in mainland China: do psychosocial resources and diseases factors predict trajectories?

Observational cohort study. To identify classes of disability trajectories from 1 month post-injury (acute hospital) to 6 months post-injury (individuals with SCI individuals who stay in rehabilitation setting or back in the community), and to investigate whether psychosocial resources and disease factors can predict disability trajectory. Spinal surgery in three Class III hospitals. Hospitals in China are divided into three classes (Class I, II and III). All the participants were submitted to WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHO-DAS 2.0) at three times; and personal data anamnesis, level of hope, level of PTSD, level of social support were recorded at first time. All the data collected by the master's students who participated in this study. Two disability trajectories were identified using the latent class growth model: the continuous high disability group (N = 196, 93.3%) and the low starting point stabilization group (N = 14, 6.7%). Complete injury(ASIA-A) with SCI and more depression in the stable condition after SCI surgery were more likely to be classified as having higher disability than those with a lower disability trajectory. Occupation, annual family income, hope, social support, and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) cannot predict individuals belonging to trajectory classes. These findings emphasize the importance of ASIA and depression in the early recovery stage after SCI and support the opinion that strengthening psychological nursing and rehabilitation management at an early stage after SCI will benefit individuals with a lower disability trajectory.

Impact of psychological resilience and social support on psycho-social adjustment in postoperative patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma: mediating effects of fear of progression.

Postoperative patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) confront not only physiological challenges but also psychological and social adaptation issues. It is imperative to enhance psycho-social adjustment (PSA) levels and further improve the quality of life among this population. However, research on PSA levels in postoperative HCC patients is lacking, and investigations into its associations with psychological resilience, social support, and fear of progression (FoP) remain unexplored currently. This study aims to: (1) investigate the current status of PSA and analyze its influencing factors among postoperative HCC patients; (2) explore the interrelationships among psychological resilience, social support, FoP and PSA based on the Chronic Illness Adaptation Model employing a structural equation model. Convenience sampling methods were employed to recruit participants from the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery at a tertiary hospital in Xi'an, Shaanxi, China, and a total of 399 patients completed the surveys. The survey instruments included a general information questionnaire, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (FoP-Q-SF), and Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale Self-report (PAIS-SR). Data entry was conducted using Epidata 3.1 with dual verification, followed by statistical analyses performed using SPSS 27.0 and Amos 28.0. The structural equation model revealed two paths. In Path 1 (psychological resilience → FoP → PSA), the direct effect was -0.383 (95% CI [-0.589, -0.112]), with an indirect effect of -0.075 (95% CI [-0.170, -0.018]). In Path 2 (social support → FoP → PSA), the direct effect was -0.297 (95% CI [-0.587, -0.063]), with an indirect effect of -0.069 (95% CI [-0.156, -0.019]). Postoperative patients with primary HCC exhibit lower levels of PSA. Higher levels of psychological resilience and social support correspond to elevated PSA levels. Conversely, advanced age, greater financial burden, and increased FoP are associated with lower PSA levels. FoP serves as a partial mediator between psychological resilience and PSA, as well as between social support and PSA. Future research would benefit from longitudinal designs to elucidate the developmental trajectories and causal links among these variables.

The role of health literacy in the association between social support and self-rated health: a Danish population-based study in 10,787 individuals with a long-term condition.

Managing a long-term condition requires higher health literacy. Social networks may play a crucial role for self-management. However, the pathway is not entirely understood. This study aimed to examine whether the association between social support and self-rated health is mediated by health literacy among individuals with a long-term condition. This cross-sectional study used data from the "How are you?" 2021 survey in Central Denmark Region. Social support was assessed using a single question, health literacy with two dimensions from the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ): 'Understanding health information' and 'Engaging with healthcare providers', and self-rated health with a single question from SF-36. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations, and multiple mediation analyses were performed using the Karlson-Holm-Breen method. A total of 10,787 individuals with a long-term condition were included in the study, whereas 6% (n = 595) reported a low level of social support. Both health literacy scales mediated the association between social support and self-rated health, particularly the ability to engage with healthcare providers, accounting for 25% of the variance. After adjustment for sociodemographic factors, individuals with a low level of social support had significantly higher odds of reporting difficulties in understanding health information (OR 2.53 (95% CI: 1.84-3.48)) and engaging with healthcare providers (OR 3.77 (95% CI: 2.96-4.79)). Health literacy, particularly the ability to engage with healthcare providers, was a mediator between social support and self-rated health. Additionally, a low level of social support was associated with higher odds of reporting lower health literacy. These findings suggest that strategies to enhance health literacy, improve health outcomes, and reduce health inequities may benefit from strengthening individuals' social network, particularly focusing on those with limited support.

The Relationship between Social Support and Self-Esteem with Academic Resilience of Junior High School Students

This study aims to examine the relationship between social support and self-esteem and academic resilience in junior high school (SMP) students. Academic resilience is a student's ability to endure and adapt to academic challenges and stress, which is important to their academic success. Social support and self-esteem are thought to play an important role in increasing students' academic resilience. This research uses quantitative methods with a correlational design. The research subjects were junior high school students at several schools in Krian, totaling 351 students. The research instrument is a questionnaire that measures students' levels of social support, self-esteem and academic resilience. The data analysis used was Kendalls Tau B. The results of the study showed that there was no significant positive relationship between social support and students' academic resilience. In addition, self-esteem was also found to have a significant positive relationship with academic resilience. Students who have strong social support from family, friends and the school environment and have high self-esteem tend to have better academic resilience. The conclusion of this research is that social support and self-esteem play an important role in increasing the academic resilience of junior high school students. Therefore, it is important for schools and families to provide adequate support and build students' self-esteem to help them overcome academic challenges and achieve academic success.

Task-dependent functional connectivity changes in response to varying levels of social support.

Having social support improves one's health outcomes and self-esteem, and buffers the negative impact of stressors. Previous studies have explored the association between social support and brain activity, but evidence from task-dependent functional connectivity is still limited. We aimed to explore how gradually decreasing levels of social support influence task-dependent functional connectivity across several major neural networks. We designed a social support task and recruited 72 young adults from real-life social groups. Of the four members in each group, one healthy participant (18 participants in total) completed the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan. The fMRI task included three phases with varying levels of social support: high-support phase, fair phase and low-support phase. Functional connectivity changes according to three phases were examined by generalised psychophysiological interaction analysis. The results of the analysis demonstrated that participants losing expected support showed increased connectivity among salience network, default mood network and frontoparietal network nodes during the fair phase compared with the high-support phase. During the low-support phase, participants showed increased connectivity among only salience network nodes compared with the high-support phase. The results indicate that the loss of support was perceived as a threat signal and induced widespread increased functional connectivity within brain networks. The observation of significant functional connectivity changes between fair and high-support phases suggests that even a small loss of social support from close ones leads to major changes in brain function.

Social Support and Social Adjustment Among Chinese Secondary School Students: The Mediating Roles of Subjective Well-Being and Psychological Resilience.

Within the scope of secondary education, social adjustment among students signifies their ability to effectively engage in social activities and adapt to shifting social environments. Extensive research across diverse geographical and sociocultural landscapes has demonstrated a positive correlation between social support and social adjustment; nonetheless, the specific mechanisms that facilitate this correlation among secondary school students remain largely unexplored. This study examines the roles of subjective well-being and psychological resilience as potential mediators in the connection between social support and social adjustment. To achieve this, a descriptive correlation design was employed with four measures, including Social Support Scale, Social Adjustment Diagnosis Scale, Adolescent Students' Life Satisfaction Scale, and the Chinese version of Mental Toughness Inventory (MTI). A total of 1537 valid responses from secondary school students across Zhejiang province (China) were collected, of which 786 were boys (51.1%) and 751 girls (48.9%), with average age of 16.89 years (SD = 0.79). This research demonstrates that social support, along with subjective well-being and psychological resilience, significantly and positively influences social adjustment. It was observed that both subjective well-being and psychological resilience, whether occurring simultaneously or in succession, partially mediate the influence of social support on social adjustment. The implications of this research suggest that enhancing social adjustment among secondary school students can be achieved by increasing their levels of social support, thereby boosting subjective wellbeing and fortifying psychological resilience. Within the environment of secondary schools, augmenting social support leads to improved social adjustment; furthermore, enhancing subjective wellbeing and reinforcing psychological resilience are crucial for supporting students' positive adaptation to dynamic social environments. Teachers and educational policymakers could implement training programmes, provide psychological counselling, and bolster home-school collaboration as strategies to foster better social adjustment among students.

Social Support and Adherence to Treatment Regimens among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

Background/Objectives: Following recommended treatment plans is essential to the success of the treatment. In hemodialysis, adherence to the treatment regimen remains a challenge in many healthcare settings. Many factors, including the patient’s level of social support, influence treatment adherence, but few studies have addressed these relationships. Methods: A correlational cross-sectional design was used to assess the relationship between perceived social support and adherence to treatment regimens among patients undergoing hemodialysis. Self-reported surveys were used to collect data. Results: One hundred and twenty-one hemodialysis patients were recruited from two dialysis centers. Overall, 45.5% of participants demonstrated good adherence, 47.9% had moderate adherence, and 6.6% had poor adherence. Specifically, 76% of participants consistently took their prescribed medications, 75% regularly attended hemodialysis sessions, 67.8% adhered to dietary restrictions, and 62% followed fluid-intake guidelines. Perceived social support was reported as highest from family members (89.3%), followed by significant others (62.8%) and friends (49.6%). There were significant correlations between perceived social support and overall adherence to treatments among hemodialysis patients. Conclusions: This study provides evidence for positive relationships between perceived social support and adherence to treatment regimens among hemodialysis patients. It is recommended that professional caregivers intervene with clients and their families, prepare recreational and educational programs for patients undergoing hemodialysis, and inspire other researchers to suggest different social support models and approaches.

A Network Structure of Mental Health and Problematic Mobile Phone Use Among Middle School Students.

Numerous studies have shown that the mental health of middle school students is closely related to problematic mobile phone use. The purpose of this study is to investigate the network structure between the dimensions of the Middle School Students Mental Health Scale and the items of the Self-Rating Questionnaire for Adolescent Problematic Mobile Phone Use by using the network analysis, to clarify the core symptoms and bridge symptoms of the network structure, and to provide ideas and methods for intervening in the mental health and problematic mobile phone use of middle school students. A stratified cluster sampling method was used to select 1637 students from four general middle schools in Xiamen in June 2020 for the survey, and the Middle School Students Mental Health Scale (MSSMHS-60) and the Self-Rating Questionnaire for Adolescent Problematic Mobile Phone Use (SQAPMPU) were used. SPSS28.0 was used for descriptive statistical analysis and R (version 4.2.1) for network analysis. 1. The core symptoms of the network of middle school students' mental health and problematic mobile phone use were "spending more time playing with the phone in order to be satisfied", anxiety, and depression; 2. The bridge symptoms of the network of middle school students' mental health and problematic mobile phone use were academic stress, psychological disequilibrium, and "depression without phone". Reducing the time of smartphone use and relieving anxiety and depression can improve the mental health of middle school students and reduce the incidence of problematic mobile phone use; helping middle school students adjust their study pressure and improving their social support level can reduce the severity of problematic mobile phone use.

Profiles of knowledge, self-efficacy, psychological and physical health in type 2 diabetes and its association with outcomes

BackgroundSelf-management is impacted by knowledge, self-efficacy, psychological health (general mental health and diabetes-related distress) and physical health (KSPP), and variations in KSPP contribute to heterogeneity in diabetes self-management education (DSME) program outcomes. This study aimed to identify unique KSPP profiles, and their associations with self-management behaviors. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in 518 participants with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes knowledge, self-efficacy, diabetes-related distress, mental and physical health, self-care, medication adherence and social support were assessed. A mixed-model latent profile analysis was conducted on eight KSPP variables, and sociodemographic, self-care (diet, physical activity, and medication adherence), and glycemic levels were compared across profiles. ResultsFour unique KSPP profiles were identified: profile 1 (untroubled), profile 2 (distressed: diabetes-specific), profile 3 (distressed: global) and profile 4 (activated). Profile 3 was associated with the lowest self-care, highest glycemic and lowest social support levels. Profile 4 was associated with the highest self-care, lowest glycemic and highest social support levels. ConclusionsOur study identified novel KSPP profiles, which were associated with differential self-management behaviors and metabolic profiles. Practice ImplicationsIdentifying KSPP profiles might improve self-management support through identifying clustering of care needs, and support more targeted DSME development.

The mediating effects of parental hope and psychological resilience on social support and decision conflict in children with hypospadias

IntroductionThe most common congenital genital abnormality of the urinary system in infants is hypospadias; its frequency is rising to 0.33 percent globally. Surgical reconstruction is the most effective treatment for hypospadias. Parents, as surrogate decision-makers for children, frequently experience decision-making conflicts when making decisions. Stress is neither a straightforward stimulus nor a simple response. However, a stressor (stimulus) caused by life events and influenced by numerous intermediate factors including personality, social support, and psychosomatic symptoms or diseases is a multi-factor process of stress response (response) . The surgical decision conflict of parents of children with hypospadias is a type of stress response, and social support may have an effect on parents' hope, psychological resilience, and decision conflict, with hope and psychological resilience serving as mediators between social support and decision conflict. AimTo investigate the structural relationship between parental social support, hope, psychological resilience, and parents decision conflict in children with hypospadias. Study DesignA cross-sectional design was used to collect the data of 210 parents of children with hypospadias from Department of Urology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital from April 2022 to March 2023. ResultsSocial support indirectly affects decision conflict through hope and psychological resilience, with a total effect of -0.224 (P<0.05), DiscussionDecision conflicts and regret can be reduced if medical professionals provide adequate and clear information, decision assistance, and meet support requirements during the decision-making process. Improving the level of psychological resilience, hope, and social support among parents of children with hypospadias is a crucial strategy for reducing the level of decision conflict they experience. In the process of making surgical decisions for children with hypospadias, the more sufficient social support from relatives, friends, and medical staff can stimulate their hope, boost their belief in the success of surgery, and the greater their psychological resilience, the more effectively decision conflict can be reduced. Some potential limitations of this study should be considered. Firstly, this study was a cross-sectional survey design. It may have some limitations in providing causal relationships between selected variables. Second, the survey investigated only one hospital, which reduces the generalizability of the findings. ConclusionThe data support the proposed model and confirm the structural relationship among the four study variables. This study provides new information on the mediating role of hope and psychological resilience between social support and decision-making conflict.

Characteristics and factors associated with psychotic-like experiences in remission: a cross-sectional study of 4208 college students in China

ObjectivesPrevious research has extensively explored the factors associated with psychotic-like experiences (PLEs). However, the characteristics and associated factors of remitted PLEs, which refer to the absence of current PLEs following...

Experiences of Social Burden amongst Survivors of Breast Cancer in Gaza: A qualitative study

PurposeThis qualitative study explores how social-cultural factors can either amplify or attenuate prospects for social support following a breast cancer diagnosis. The aim is to analyse narratives of individuals diagnosed with breast cancer to examine how the illness influences social support and hence their post-illness experiences. MethodsForty semi-structured interviews, including thirty-eight with breast cancer survivors, are analysed using a grounded theory approach. Data were collected between September 2020 and April 2021. ResultsParticipants' perceptions indicate that three main factors influenced experiences and the level of social support received. The first involves stigmatised cancer-related discourses and practices affecting women's social interactions and roles. The second is specific to (ex)married participants. It reveals how the foundation of marriage prior to the illness is a determining and influencing factor in the experience of women after illness. The third demonstrates how specific social identities enable coping, negotiation, and challenging cancer-related stigma, turning their experiences toward positivity. ConclusionsThe study concludes that breast cancer acts as a figurative magnifying glass, illuminating latent social practices in the community. This highlights the need to nurture existing social bonds or address the fragility of ties within distinct social categories. Implications for Cancer SurvivorsThe research suggests implementing customised support interventions aligned with each group of survivors' unique needs. Furthermore, enhancing awareness within patients' social networks regarding the illness and how to provide support, along with enhancing survivors' financial security through economic empowerment, may contribute to more effective coping with the social consequences of the illness.

Racial Discrimination, Social Support, and Psychological Distress Among Black Pregnant Women.

Black pregnant women who experience racial discrimination are at an increased risk of psychological distress. Studies have not adequately addressed if social support may moderate the association between experiences of racial discrimination and psychological distress among Black pregnant women. We sought to examine the moderating effect of social support on the association between experiences of racial discrimination and psychological distress among Black pregnant women. We report findings based on cross-sectional data collected from 599 Black pregnant women enrolled in a prospective cohort study prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Women completed questionnaires about experiences of racial discrimination (Experiences of Discrimination), social support (MOS Social Support Survey), and psychological distress (Psychological General Wellbeing Index). Women had an average age of 26 ± 5 years and gestational age at data collection of 17 ± 6 weeks. Approximately 53% of women reported ever experiencing racial discrimination in at least one situation, and 54% reported psychological distress. After adjustment for covariates, racial discrimination was associated with a 2.2-fold increase in psychological distress (odds ratio [OR] = 2.24; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.35-3.70; P = .002). Low social support (scores below the median) was associated with a 3.8-fold higher likelihood of psychological distress (OR = 3.84, 95% CI 2.27-6.48, P < .001). Social support did not moderate the association of lifetime experiences of racial discrimination with psychological distress. Findings of the study contribute to evidence that lifetime experiences of racial discrimination and low levels of social support relate to psychological distress among Black pregnant women.

The current status of primipara’s childbirth experience and its correlation with their reproductive intention: a cross-sectional survey study

BackgroundThe childbirth experience of primipara profoundly impacts her future physical and mental health, reproductive intention, and choice of childbirth mode. This study aimed to explore the current situation of primipara’s childbirth experience, to analyze the factors influencing negative childbirth experience, and to explore the relationship between childbirth experience and reproductive intention.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of 522 primipara 1–5 days postpartum was conducted at five hospitals in Guangdong Province (May to July 2024). Data were collected using the General Information Questionnaire, the Social Support Rating Scale, the Childbirth Readiness Scale, the Caring Behaviors Inventory Scale, the Wijma Delivery Experience Questionnaire, and the Questionnaire on Reproduction Intention of Primipara.ResultsThe mean score of fear of childbirth was 68.86 ± 17.68. A total of 137 respondents met the clinical criteria for fear of childbirth (≥ 85 points), indicating that 26.2% of primipara had a negative experience of childbirth. Binary logistic regression model showed that elderly primipara [odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)): 11.167 (2.737–45.559)], pregnancy comorbidities or maternal childbirth complications [OR (95%CI): 6.596 (3.046–14.287)], childbirth intervention [OR (95%CI): 6.168 (2.869–13.258)], and severe pain [OR (95%CI): 4.660 (2.197–9.882)] were risk factors for negative childbirth experience. Childbirth accompaniment [OR (95%CI): 0.081 (0.018–0.368)], high level of social support [OR (95%CI): 0.768 (0.704–0.839)], and high level of childbirth readiness [OR (95%CI): 0.878 (0.812–0.950)] protected against a negative birth experience. There was a negative correlation between the fear of childbirth score and reproduction intention scores.ConclusionsChildbirth accompaniment and high levels of social support and childbirth readiness can reduce primipara’s perception of negative childbirth experience. Negative childbirth experience can reduce reproduction intention.

The status quo and correlational analysis of nursing practices, burnout, and social support among nurses from private hospitals in Dazhou, a less developed area of China

ObjectiveTo investigate the status quo of nursing practices, job burnout and social support among private hospitals in Dazhou, Sichuan Province, and perform correlational analysis.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 244 nurses were surveyed via convenience sampling from 7 private hospitals, which were randomly selected from Dazhou city. A self-designed demographic sociology questionnaire was applied, and the Chinese versions of the Maslach Burnout Scale and the Social Support scale administered from September to November 2022.ResultsThe investigated nurses were relatively young (26.84 ± 4.90 years), had a short duration of service, a low academic background, a low professional title and a low income; however, they were highly satisfied with their working environment and had a low level of burnout, and their level of personal achievement was low. Overtime work, education level and number of children had significant impacts on the level of nurse burnout. The level of social support was high, and various dimensions were negatively correlated with the emotional exhaustion and depersonalization dimensions of burnout (r=-0.438, P < 0.01; r=-0.372, P < 0.01) and positively correlated with personal achievement (r = 0.291, P < 0.01). However, the level of social support was not significantly associated with burnout (r=-0.060, p = 0.354).ConclusionsNursing managers in private hospitals should consider ways of improving nurses’ education, professional titles, working environment and increasing nurses’ income to stabilize the nursing team. Efforts should be made to relieve the nurses’ pressure, and notice the overtime work and professional development of nurses to enhance the personal sense of achievement. More measures should be taken to improve the level of social support, thereby promoting the continuous improvement of nursing quality. Due to the uneven level of social and economic development in different parts of China, the extensibility of the research needs to be confirmed by more studies, but it still has important reference significance for Northeast Sichuan, which represents areas with similar social and economic levels.