Perceived Family Support Research Articles

PERSEPSI LANSIA TENTANG DUKUNGAN KELUARGA TERHADAP KEPATUHAN DIET HIPERTENSI

Hypertension and its complications can be overcome and prevented through a healthy lifestyle. One of them is a healthy lifestyle for people with hypertension, namely diet compliance. The family plays an important role in the management of hypertension, because it can increase the confidence and motivatiob of the elderly in a adherence to the hypertension diet. The purpose of this study is to determine the perception of the elderly about family support for hypertension diet compliance. The research uses a quantitative analytical observational method with a cross-sectional design. The sample of this research used purposive sampling technique. The participant of this study were 69 respondents who met certain criteria. Data were taken by filling out questionnaires on family support and hypertension diet compliance. Data analysis using chi-square test. The results showed that the majority of hypertension respondents aged 55-65 years (71.0%), female (65.2%), elementary school education(56.5%), unemployed as much (55.1%) and had received information about hypertension diet as much as (65.2%). The elderly’s perception of family support is in a good category (58.0%) and the level of adherence to the hypertension diet is in the obedient category (82.6%). The results of the bivariate analysis obtained a p-value of 0.011, which means Ha is accepted. So it can be concluded that there is a relationship between the elderly’s perception of family support for hypertension diet compliance.

Hospice Caregivers' Perception of Family and Non-Family Social Support and Stress over Time: Associations with Reports of General Support.

Social support has been identified as a key factor to protect wellbeing for home hospice cancer caregivers. However, few studies have assessed social support over time in this context, and measures of support are often limited to general assessments of perceived support. Our goal was to (1) describe change in cancer home hospice caregivers' social support over time during care and into bereavement and (2) explore the impact of perceived stress and support from family and non-family members on caregivers' perceived general social support. We conducted a secondary analysis of longitudinal prospective questionnaire data. Forty caregivers completed measures of general perceived support, family and non-family support and stress during hospice enrollment and 2 and 6 months post the patient's death. Linear mixed models were used to determine change in support over time and the contribution of specific support/stress ratings to general support assessments. Caregivers overall had moderate and stable levels of social support over time, though there was significant variation between and within individuals. Family and non-family support and stress from family predicted general perceptions of social support, while no effects were found for non-family stress. This work suggests a need for more specific measures of support and stress, and the need for research to focus on improving baseline levels of caregiver perceived support.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERCEPTIONS OF SOCIAL SUPPORT WITH STRESS LEVELS OF HOSPITAL INPATIENT PATIENTS

Background: Hospitalization requires the patient to undergo treatment at the hospital. This can be a stressor for some patients. Interaction with health professionals and family can help patients cope with stress. Furthermore, social support from friends might help enhance one's health. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between inpatients' perceptions of social support and stress levels.
 Method: This study employed a cross-sectional analytic descriptive observational method. Purposive sampling was used to choose 30 inpatients from the internal care room at Margono Soekarjo Hospital in Purwokerto for this investigation.
 Results: In this study, 86.7% of patients had normal stress levels. Support in the high category was primarily provided by family. In the correlation test, the significance value between the stress level of hospitalized patients and the sense of family support is 0,703, friends are 0,815, and significant others are 0,249 (p<0,005). It means that there is no significant correlation between variables.
 Conclusion: There is no correlation between inpatients' perceptions of family support, friends, and significant others and their stress level.

The impact of perceived social support on sleep quality in a sample of patients undergoing hemodialysis in Somalia.

The main objective of the present study is to examine the relationship between perceived social support and the quality of sleep and to determine the predictors of sleep quality in a sample of patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) in Somalia. A sample of 200 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who were undergoing hemodialysis treatment approximately two to three times a week were included. All participants were administered a sociodemographic data form, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Patients undergoing HD for less than 3 months prior to the study date were excluded. Of the patients undergoing hemodialysis, 200 patients aged between 18 and 68 years (mean = 52.29; SD = 14.13) gave consent and participated in the study. Sixty-three subjects (31.5%) reported poor sleep quality, defined as having a total PSQI score > 5. Forty-one subjects (20.5%) reported clinically significant (moderate-to-severe) insomnia. The majority of our patients undergoing HD reported remarkably high family support, but low friends and significant other support. Poor sleep quality significantly correlated with perceived friends' support and perceived total social support. While perceived family support significantly correlated with both family income and the duration of chronic kidney disease (CKD), perceived friends' support significantly correlated with age and family income. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that perceived family support and friends' support were significant predictors of poor sleep quality. Perceived friends' support was a significant predictor of insomnia severity. Perceived family support was a significant predictor of subjective sleep quality and sleep duration. Perceived friends' support was a significant predictor of subjective sleep quality, sleep duration, sleep latency, sleep disturbance, and daytime dysfunction. Family income was a significant predictor of sleep duration. Age and gender were significant predictors of sleep efficiency. The duration of CKD and duration of HD were significant predictors of sleep disturbance. This present study has highlighted the value of family as a principal support system in Somalian culture. Understanding the impact of perceived social support on the quality of sleep in patients undergoing HD will help healthcare providers and social services to focus on and improve the social support systems of the patients as an integral part of their treatment.

Child well‐being before and after the 2020 COVID‐19 lockdowns in three Australian states

AbstractThis paper reports on changes in the social‐emotional well‐being of 6‐ to 12‐year‐old children tested before the COVID‐19 pandemic and during 2020 and 2021. Well‐being was assessed using a video game that empowers children to report their own well‐being, including school attachment, social and emotional well‐being, behavioural conformity and family support. We compared well‐being over time for two groups of children in government schools in Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania. The treatment group of 580 children were tested in 2019 (Time 1) and a second time in mid‐late 2020 and early 2021 (Time 2). The comparison group of 841 children were tested twice before the pandemic. Results showed that children in the treatment group reported significantly lower family support at Time 2 than those in the comparison group. This reduction in perceived family support was stronger for girls. In addition, children in the treatment group who reported lower levels of family support at Time 1 reported a steeper decline in family support by Time 2. Finally, boys in the treatment group reported significantly better behavioural conformity and emotional well‐being relative to girls over time. Results highlight the varied impacts of the pandemic lockdowns and the need to provide continued support to vulnerable families.

Family Support and The Role of Health Professionals on Parent’s Perspectives of Covid-19 Vaccination in Child

Background: The administration of Covid-19 immunization is one of the measures taken to prevent Covid-19 infectious diseases among vulnerable groups, such as children aged 6 to 11 years. However, the majority of parents continue to have a poor opinion of the safety of the Covid-19 vaccine and its side effects, since just 5.7% of parents of 564,833 children in West Sumatra allow their children to get vaccinated. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the determinants of parents’ perception towards vaccinating their children against COVID-19. Methods: This study employed a quantitative methodology and a Cross Sectional design. This research was conducted at an elementary school in Bukittinggi. The study population consisted of 466 children. In this study, 100 respondents were consecutively selected as samples. The tool employed was a valid and reliable questionnaire, and the data were analyzed using a chi-square test with a significance level of 0.05. Results: the results of the statistical test of bivariate analysis stated that there was a relationship between family support and perspective, p Value 0.05 (< 0.05), and there was no relationship between the role of health workers and perspective p Value 0.318 (> 0.05). Conclusion: it is important to increase the positive perspective of parents regarding vaccination, this can be done through health promotion by using various media so that not only parents get but also increase the perception of family support.

Mechanisms accounting for gendered differences in mental health status among young Canadians: A novel quantitative analysis

Adolescent girls consistently report worse mental health than boys. This study used reports from a 2018 national health promotion survey (n = 11,373) to quantitatively explore why such gender-based differences exist among young Canadians.Using mediation analyses and contemporary social theory, we explored mechanisms that may explain differences in mental health between adolescents who identify as boys versus girls. The potential mediators tested were social supports within family and friends, engagement in addictive social media use, and overt risk-taking. Analyses were performed with the full sample and in specific high-risk groups, such as adolescents who report lower family affluence.Higher levels of addictive social media use and lower perceived levels of family support among girls mediated a significant proportion of the difference between boys and girls for each of the three mental health outcomes (depressive symptoms, frequent health complaints, and diagnosis of mental illness). Observed mediation effects were similar in high-risk subgroups; however, among those with low affluence, effects of family support were somewhat more pronounced.Study findings point to deeper, root causes of gender-based mental health inequalities that emerge during childhood. Interventions designed to reduce girls' addictive social media use or increase their perceived family support, to be more in line with their male peers, could help to reduce differences in mental health between boys and girls. Contemporary focus on social media use and social supports among girls, especially those with low affluence, warrant study as the basis for public health and clinical interventions.

Concepts of Family Support in Stuttering: A Multicultural Perspective

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify how people who stutter (PWS) from racially/ethnically diverse backgrounds describe and perceive the types of stuttering support they received from their family members. Method: A qualitative research paradigm was adopted for data collection and analysis procedures. A group of 36 participants from racially/ethnically diverse backgrounds were asked to respond to an online survey about their perceptions of family support. Data were investigated using thematic analysis procedures. Results: The data gave rise to 12 major themes. Types of familial support that were perceived as positive included families being patient, offering support in general, listening empathetically, seeking outside resources, and providing varying degrees of attention to their family member's stuttering. Familial support that participants described as negative included families passing judgment, teasing, and punishing their family member who stutters. Participants also negatively perceived family members telling them to slow down, finishing their sentences, and not openly discussing their stuttering. Instances of participants experiencing no positive or no negative forms of stuttering support from their families were also reported. Conclusions: Two primary types of stuttering support captured in the findings of this study were conversation-based and reaction-based support, both of which represented family members' actions that were perceived as positive and negative by participants. Clinical implications include the need for culturally appropriate client–parent education and for the consideration of individuals' preferences for stuttering support.

Perceived Family Support and Medication Adherence among Diabetic Patients with Good and Poor Glycaemic Control Attending a Teaching Hospital in South-Western Nigeria

Aim: To compare perceived family support (PFS) and medication adherence among adult T2DM patients with good and poor glycaemic control.
 Methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional comparative study among patients with T2DM. The participants were systematically recruited and divided into two groups after glycated haemoglobin testing. Additional data was collected using a structured interviewer – administered questionnaire adapted from Perceived Social Support – Family Scale and 8-item Modified Morisky Adherence Scale.
 Results: The mean PFS scores among participants with good and poor glycaemic control were 16.37 and 13.97 points respectively. The difference between their mean scores was significant (P 0.000). The mean score of medication adherence among participants with good glycaemic control was 7.13 points while participants with poor glycaemic control had a mean score of 6.42 points. The difference between their mean scores was significant (P 0.012). A statistically significant association was found between medication adherence and glycaemic control (P 0.025).
 Conclusions: This study found that T2DM participants with stronger PFS and better medication adherence had better glycaemic control than participants with weaker PFS and poor medication adherence. It is therefore important to emphasise family support and measures that improve medication adherence in the holistic management of T2DM.

An integration of S-O-B-A paradigm to explore university students' entrepreneurial attitude, intention and action: do university and family support matter?

PurposeThe primary purpose of this study is to integrate the stimulus-organism-behavior-accomplishment (S-O-B-A) paradigm to investigate the chain effect of university students' perceived university and family support on their entrepreneurial action (EA) with a serial mediation of their attitude and intention.Design/methodology/approachThis study introduces stratified random sample to choose respondents and a cross-sectional research design. partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) has applied to thoroughly investigate the behavioral intention concerned with students' entrepreneurship action.FindingsThe findings explored that perceived university support and family supports positively impact students' entrepreneurship attitude, where perceived family support creates statistically more powerful implications than university support. Students' attitude toward entrepreneurship positively affects their entrepreneurial intent, and finally, the entrepreneurial pursuit has an affirmative impact on students' EA.Originality/valueThis study incorporates the S-O-B-A paradigm for the very first time to investigate the effects of students' environmental support on their EA with double mediation by their attitude and intention.

LONELINESS AND DEPRESSION: EXAMINING THE MODERATING EFFECTS OF RESILIENCE RESOURCES

Abstract Loneliness is highly prevalent among older adults and can negatively influence their mental health. However, less is known about the factors that might mitigate the effects of loneliness on mental health outcomes such as depression. We propose that resilience resources may serve as potential protective factors that buffer the impact of loneliness on depressive symptoms. This study aimed to (a) test the effects of loneliness, as well as resilience factors of perceived family support and optimism, on depressive symptoms, and (b) examine resilience factors as moderators of the relationship between loneliness and depressive symptoms. Participants derived from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a nationally representative sample of the population aged 50 years and older. The analytic sample was selected with baseline measurements in either 2006 or 2008 and two follow-ups across four-year intervals (N= 7,336). Structural equation modeling with latent variables and interaction terms was used to investigate study aims. Results revealed that (a) loneliness was significantly related to an increase in depressive symptoms; both perceived family support and optimism significantly reduced depressive symptoms, and (b) the link between loneliness and depressive symptoms was weaker when older adults reported higher levels of perceived family support and greater optimism. This study highlights the important protective roles played by perceived family support and optimism in reducing the adverse impact of loneliness on depression. Results suggest that strengthening family support and fostering optimism might be promising avenues for improving mental health in older adults particularly among those experiencing loneliness.

Correlation between primary family caregiver identity and maternal depression risk in poor rural China.

Prenatal and postpartum depression are important public health challenges because of their long-term adverse impacts on maternal and neonatal health. This study investigated the risk of maternal depression among pregnant and postpartum women in poor rural China, along with the correlation between primary family caregiver identity and maternal depression risk. Pregnant women and new mothers were randomly selected from poor rural villages in the Qinba Mountains area in Shaanxi. Basic demographic information was collected regarding the women and their primary family caregivers. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to identify women at risk of depression, and the Perceived Social Support Scale was used to evaluate perceived family support. This study included 220 pregnant women and 473 new mothers. The mean proportions of women at risk of prenatal and postpartum depression were 19.5% and 18.6%, respectively. Regression analysis showed that identification of the baby's grandmother as the primary family caregiver was negatively correlated with maternal depression risk (β=-0.979, 95% confidence interval [CI]=-1.946 to -0.012, P=0.047). However, the husband's involvement in that role was not significantly correlated with maternal depression risk (β=-0.499, 95% CI=-1.579 to 0.581, P=0.363). Identification of the baby's grandmother as the primary family caregiver was positively correlated with family support score (β=0.967, 95% CI=-0.062 to 1.996, P=0.065). Prenatal and postpartum depression are prevalent in poor rural China. The involvement of the baby's grandmother as the primary family caregiver may reduce maternal depression risk, but the husband's involvement in that role has no effect.

Patients’ and family members’ knowledge, attitudes and perceived family support for SMBG in type 2 diabetes: a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis

Aims and objectivesTo examine the combined effects of the patient’s and family members’ knowledge, attitudes and perceived family support on self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) behaviour of patients with type...

Prevalence and sociocultural correlates of post-traumatic stress disorder and complex PTSD among Chinese community health service users in Hong Kong.

Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) is a newly recognized trauma disorder in ICD-11. Little is known about the prevalence and correlates of CPTSD in primary care settings. Its cultural aspects also remained minimally explored. This study investigated the prevalence and sociocultural correlates of PTSD and complex PTSD among Chinese community health service users in Hong Kong. This study investigated ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD in a sample of adults (N = 376) who had recently received services from Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioners in Hong Kong. Traditional Chinese medicine service is part of primary care services in Chinese societies. Participants completed self-report measures of CPTSD, trauma exposure, perceived family support, perceived caregiver's Chinese traditionality/modernity, participation (social activities and occupational productivity), depression and pain. The past-month prevalence of ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD was 5.6% and 18.4%, respectively, in our sample. Chi-square tests and one-way ANOVAs revealed that participants with CPTSD were younger and reported more trauma, lower family support, lower levels of social participation and productivity, more depressive symptoms and pain, and more social welfare and mental health service usages than those without PTSD. We found that perceived caregiver's Chinese modernity (e.g. egalitarianism) was negatively correlated with CPTSD symptoms. Apart from age, non-betrayal trauma had the strongest association with classical PTSD symptoms, while betrayal trauma and perceived family support had the strongest association with disturbances in self-organization symptoms. This study provides the first data regarding the prevalence and correlates of ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD among community health service users in Hong Kong. PTSD and CPTSD are common but often unrecognized mental health problems which are associated with more impairments and more service needs.

Stress, Depression and Coping in Tuberculosis Patients- A Hospital Based Study

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) often leaves its impact physically, socially and mentally on patients. Coping strategies refer to the specific efforts, both behavioural and psychological, that people employ to master, tolerate, reduce or minimize stressful events. The study was started to find out the prevalence of Depression in Tuberculosis patients, to find out the effect of Stress and Depression on Coping strategies in patients diagnosed with Tuberculosis. Methodology: The study was a Cross sectional study carried out for period of two years from January 2020 till December 2021. Study was done at District tuberculosis center, SNR Hospital, Kolar. Sample size calculated as 288 based on previous literature search. All data entered in Microsoft office excel sheet, analyzed using SPSS v 22(IBM Corp, USA). Descriptive statistics applied where ever needed and to compare between groups t-test, ANOVA was used and to check for association between factors Chi-square applied. Results: Out of 302 Tuberculosis patients, 29.1% belonged to 41-50 years, 72.2% belonged to Male gender, 77.5% resided in rural area, 24.5% were unemployed, 4% had HIV comorbidity, 46.4% had Diabetes Mellitus. 54.3% had Moderate Depression. Age, Gender, HIV status, Diabetes status, Tb Patients who Perceived TB stigma, BMI, Perceived Family Support, type of family and occupation were few Clinico-social factors which were statistically significant for Perceived stress scores. Conclusion: Tuberculosis is chronic infectious disease where mental health evaluation is neglected, Better management of these psychiatric morbidities should be educated by the treating primary health care doctors and DOTS providers which will have direct or indirect impact on improving treatment adherence, illness perception and patient coping skills.

Getting them through the door: Social and behavioral determinants of uptake and engagement in an obesity intervention

Using data from a large-scale screening program (N = 19634), we aimed to prospectively identify factors predicting uptake (i.e. acceptance of the invitation) and engagement (i.e. participation in at least two sessions) in a multi-component-intensive-behavioral-intervention for obesity-management (MBIOM) intervention targeting adolescents (n = 2862; 12–14 years; BMI ≥90th percentile). Approximately one third of adolescents most in need of weight management declined the initial invitation to enter the MBIOM. Poor diet, sedentary behavior, and parental education predicted willingness to enter and stay in the intervention, however measured body mass index did not matter. Perceived family support, instead of initial motivation, facilitated engagement. Our results provide new insights on the importance of regional socio-geographical factors including trust in local authorities.

Peran Dukungan Keluarga dan Stres Kerja terhadap Work – life balance pada Paramedis Keperawatan Wanita di Rumah Sakit Kota Medan

The research aims to examine the role of family support and job stress to work – life balance among women nursing paramedic at Medan city hospital. This research used quantitative method. Total 324 women nursing paramedic at Medan city hospital participated in this research. The measurement conducted by using family support scale, job stress scale and work – life balance scale. Data on this research was analyzed using regression test. The results of this research show that there was the role of family support and job stress to work – life balance among women nursing paramedic at Medan city hospital cause statistic shows that F value 90.602 > F table 19.493 and p = 0,000 < 0,050. Another result this research approve that there was the role of family support to work – life balance among women nursing paramedic at Medan city hospital cause statistic shows that T value 10.910 > T table 1.967 and p = 0,000 < 0,050. and result this research approve that there was the role of job stress to work – life balance among women nursing paramedic at Medan city hospital cause statistic shows that T value -8.260 > T table 1.967 and p = 0,000 < 0,050. Another result is perceived family support of women nursing paramedic at Medan city hospital categorized as high, experienced job stress women nursing paramedic at Medan city hospital categorized as high and work – life balance of women nursing paramedic at Medan city hospital categorized as low. Therefore, it is recommended that further research be carried out with qualitative methods or mixed design and consider other variables

University Students’ Attitudes towards Perceived Family Support in Individual Musical Instrument Education

Education promotes mental, physical and emotional development of individuals. In particular, music education has a great impact on an individual’s personal development in terms of self-recognition and self-actualization of the individual. One of the most significant factors in the development of the individual is their family. The family support is crucial in terms of education as well as in all aspects of life. This study is aimed to determine university students’ attitudes towards perceived family support in individual musical instrument education and to analyze the differences in family support in this context. A set of different variables for the perceived family support in individual instrument education of the university students studying in music education undergraduate programs were examined in the study. Three different variables were identified, including gender, undergraduate level and university where the students receive education. This descriptive study is based on a correlational survey model. The study sample consists of 216 students studying in music education programs in 2021-2022 academic year. 120 (55.6 %) of the students are female while 96 (44.4 %) of them are male. When the perceived family support of music education students in terms of instrument education was examined, it was concluded that there was no significant relationship between the gender of the students in the dimensions of the families’ valuing instrument education and their involvement in the process. However, there was no significant relationship in the dimension of the families’ valuing instrument education while there was a significant relationship in their involvement in the process. Considering the perceived family support of the students studying in the music education program in terms of instrument education, the responses of the students indicated a positive relationship.

Analysis Psychosocial Factors Affecting Behaviour of Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose in People with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Introduction: Compliance with monitoring blood glucose levels is crucial to diabetes management. Self-monitoring behaviour of blood glucose levels can be influenced by psychosocial factors in people with T2DM, such as knowledge, coping, diabetes distress, family support, and nurse support. Objective: The study aimed to analyze psychosocial factors that influence the behaviour of self-monitoring of blood glucose levels in people with T2DM. Methods: The study was a descriptive-analytic study with a cross-sectional design. The sample was T2DM patients in the Jember Regency with a sample size of 138 respondents, taken using multistage random sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire (SKILLDS, Coping Scale, DDS, HDFSS, Nurse's role perception, and the SMBG questionnaire) and analyzed using a multiple linear regression test. Results The modelling results show that psychosocial factors (knowledge, coping, diabetes distress, family support, and nurse support) have a simultaneous and significant influence on the behaviour of monitoring blood glucose levels (F = 9.292; p = 0.001 < α = 0.05) with adjusted R2 = 0.232. It showed that psychosocial factors could explain the variance of behaviour monitoring blood glucose levels by 23.2%. Partially, there are three influential variables, namely coping, perception of family support, and perception of nurse support (p= 0.039; p= 0.016; and p= 0.020 < α =0.05). Better coping, family support, and nurse support could improve blood glucose monitoring. Conclusion: Psychosocial factors can affect monitoring blood glucose levels in people with T2DM. The nurse can make efforts to improve the behaviour by monitoring blood glucose levels by considering the psychosocial aspects of people with T2DM through preventive promotion efforts to improve coping, family support, and nurse support to improve self-management and quality of life of people with T2DM.

Stigma, perceived family support, and post-traumatic stress experienced by seropositive HIV patients in Pakistan

<p><strong>Background and Objective: </strong>Stigmatization and discrimination are phenomena familiar to all human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients, which create a significant amount of stress; little is known about the role of family support in alleviation of this stressful condition. The current study aims to investigate the relationship between the perceptions of family support, stigmatization, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress in HIV-positive patients in Pakistan.<br /><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 100 seropositive patients, aged between 18 and 50 years, were approached through professional organizations in Lahore, Pakistan, based on purposive and snowball sampling strategies. The magnitude of stigma experienced by the patients was assessed by administering the Berger HIV stigma scale. The multidimensional scale of perceived social support and post-traumatic stress disorder checklist were used to assess post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and perceived family support (PFS).<br /><strong>Results: </strong>The study identified a positive relationship between experiencing stigma and the development of PTSS. Also, a significant inverse relationship between PFS and PTSS was observed, whereas a consequential negative association between experiencing stigma and PFS was evident in patients who disclosed their illness to their families.<br /><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The current study documents that HIV seropositive patients in Pakistan experience high levels of stigma, especially in relation to the disease  disclosure to their families and other social contacts. An already immune compromised status and stigmatization leads to significant stress symptoms which ultimately decrease the perception about accessibility of social support in the times of crisis.</p>