Primary Source Of Social Support Research Articles

Mapping Social Support Sources for Rural Patients with Chronic Illness

Objective: In this study, we evaluated social support sources for rural residents with chronic conditions and examined associations between support sources and self-reported health status. Methods: Adults in rural zip codes across the United States (N = 183; 48.6% female) participated in an online survey. Chronic disease status was determined through participant self-report of prior medical diagnoses. Support sources were elicited using scenarios that require illness assistance or emotional support. Self-rated physical and mental health were measured using 5-point Likert scales. Chi-square tests examined gender differences in preferred sources of social support. Ordinal logistic regressions assessed predictors of self-rated health status, including support source preferences. Results: Family and friends were found to be primary sources of social support for rural residents managing illness. Women tended to rely more heavily on close family members whereas men were open to more diverse sources. Gender differences were statistically significant (χ2(4) = 20.66, p < .001). Those relying on close friends rather than family when sick also reported better physical health (B = 1.79, Wald = 4.91, p = .02). Conclusion: Findings indicate informal social ties are central for the health of rural populations. Gender differences in help-seeking patterns may necessitate tailored chronic disease interventions. Fostering community linkages and leveraging natural supports will be vital for addressing rural health disparities.

Experiences of social support by participants with morbid obesity who participate in a rehabilitation program for health-behavior change: a qualitative study

BackgroundObesity is a global public health concern with significant implications for individuals’ physical health and overall well-being. Health-behavior change programs are crucial for addressing obesity and its associated health risks. Social support plays a central role in facilitating successful outcomes in these programs, yet limited qualitative research exists on the experiences of individuals with morbid obesity participating in such interventions. Thus, this study explores how participants with morbid obesity experienced social support in a group-based rehabilitation program for health-behavior change.MethodsFourteen participants in a group-based rehabilitation health-behavior change program in Norway were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed with thematic analysis.ResultsThe thematic analysis revealed three primary sources of social support: support from other participants in the group, social support from family and friends, and support from the interdisciplinary team. The participants emphasized the significance of ongoing social support throughout their health-behavior change program. Participants appreciated fostering a sense of community and regular interaction with other members of the program to ensure ongoing social support.ConclusionsParticipants outlined the importance of maintaining a sense of community in the group and appreciated platforms for facilitating ongoing interactions and support among group participants. Future studies should focus on long-term interventions, tailored approaches for individuals with diverse needs involving family and friends, and the impact of enhanced peer support. By understanding the role of social support in health-behavior change programs, interventions can be optimized to better support individuals with morbid obesity.

Say you'll be there: Associations between observed verbal responses, friendship quality, and perceptions of support in young adult friendships.

Friendships are a primary source of social support during young adulthood; however, little is known about the factors associated with young adults feeling greater support during interactions with friends. We examined how micro-level verbal responses and macro-level judgments of friendship quality were associated with perceptions of support following an interaction between friends. Same-gender friend dyads (N = 132; 66.2% female; 18-24 years, M age = 19.63) took turns speaking about a problem, then participants rated their perceptions of support given and received following the task. We coded each participant's verbal responses while in the listening role. Actor Partner Interdependence Models (APIMs) revealed significant partner effects for negative engagement responses, such that greater negative engagement responses were linked with the partner perceiving poorer support both given and received. Models revealed significant actor effects for supportive responses, such that greater supportive responses predicted the actor perceiving better support both given and received. Additionally, models revealed significant actor effects of friendship quality predicting actors' perceiving better support both given and received. Finally, exploratory models revealed minimal interactions between a few types of verbal responses and positive friendship quality. Taken together, results suggest that (a) negative verbal responding styles may be more meaningfully associated with partners' perceptions of support in the moment than are supportive behaviours, whereas (b) supportive verbal responding styles may be more meaningfully associated with actors' perceptions of support in the moment, and (c) actors' judgments of friendship quality are strongly associated with their overall perceptions of support, and a critical factor to consider in future research.

“Time and money and support”: Adolescents and young adults’ perceived social and logistical support needs for safe abortion care

ObjectiveTo understand what support adolescents and young adults need to access abortion amidst the changing legal landscape. Study designA diverse nationwide sample (N = 638, response rate 78%) of individuals aged 14–24 responded to a text message survey in July 2022 about the social and logistical support they would need for safe abortion access. Responses were coded and analyzed thematically. ResultsRespondents described parents and friends as primary sources of social support for potential abortion decisions. They frequently cited money and transportation as logistical support needs for out-of-state abortion care. ConclusionsAdolescents and young adults report needing social support and specific resources to ensure access to abortion. ImplicationsThis study highlights the perspectives and experiences of a diverse, nationwide sample of adolescents and young adults on their perceived abortion-related social and logistical support needs. These findings can support centering adolescents and young adults in practice and policy change to minimize barriers, improve social support, tailor resources and information about abortion, and streamline access to essential reproductive health services in a post-Dobbs landscape.

Marital Satisfaction and Depression in Older Adults: A Literature Review

Marital satisfaction is an important concept contributing to depression. In contrast to younger and middle-aged individuals, the negative association between marital satisfaction and depression has been reported to be strongest among older adults. This study reviewed the association between marital satisfaction and depression in older adults. Based on the literature review, findings demonstrated that older women have lower marital satisfaction and higher depression level compared to older men. Also, although spouse support is a primary source of social support and an influential protective factor against depression in older marriages, older women have less spouse support than older men. According to the findings, older women are at increased risk for depression due to poorer marital satisfaction and spousal support.

Marital Satisfaction and Depression in Older Adults: A Literature Review

Marital satisfaction is an important concept contributing to depression. In contrast to younger and middle-aged individuals, the negative association between marital satisfaction and depression has been reported to be strongest among older adults. This study reviewed the association between marital satisfaction and depression in older adults. Based on the literature review, findings demonstrated that older women have lower marital satisfaction and higher depression level compared to older men. Also, although spouse support is a primary source of social support and an influential protective factor against depression in older marriages, older women have less spouse support than older men. According to the findings, older women are at increased risk for depression due to poorer marital satisfaction and spousal support.

An assessment of perceived social support among naval personnel

BackgroundStudies from the Indian Navy have found junior sailors to have higher occupational stress than senior sailors. Positive social support can provide protection against detrimental effects of stress and facilitate in development of individual resilience. Therefore, the present study was conducted to explore the level of perceived social support among naval personnel. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted using “Interpersonal Support Evaluation List” (Cohen and Hoberman, 1983) among personnel posted on a capital ship of the Indian Navy. Five hundred sixty-eight sailors voluntarily participated in the study. ResultsPersonnel living on board (in-living) were found to have significantly lower overall perceived social support score (76.14 ± 13.72) than personnel living in family accommodation (79.40 ± 14.14). In addition, in-living personnel were also found to have lower subscale scores viz “appraisal support”, “self-esteem support”, and “belonging support” (p < 0.05) but not “tangible support” score (p > 0.05). ConclusionOur study brings out that young in-living sailors lack perceived social support. These young in-living sailors, being away from their families, often feel isolated and fall prey to social media, which in turn aggravates feeling of isolation and leads to psychological distress. Therefore, it is important for these individuals to have confidence in his mess mates and belief in commanders who form their primary sources of social support. To ensure this, it is the need of the hour to revitalize the age old divisional system by introduction of concepts of “Keep Your Mates Safe”, “promotion of psychological resilience”, and so on.

The association between perceived injunctive norms toward corporal punishment, parenting support, and risk for child physical abuse.

The use of corporal punishment (CP) is a strong risk factor for many poor outcomes for children including child maltreatment. The use of CP occurs within social contexts which are important to understand. Although it is known that perceived social norms regarding CP are related to its use, the specific role that a mother's primary support person plays in influencing attitudes toward and use of CP remains unknown. The current study assessed linkages between maternal perceived social support in parenting and perceived injunctive norms of CP from her primary source of support, with maternal attitudes toward and use of CP. Survey data were collected from female primary caregivers (N = 436) of children age 2 to 7 years (mean age = 3.7) enrolled in Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) clinics in Southeastern Louisiana. Most frequently, the biological father of the child (37.9%) and the maternal grandmother of the child (24.2%) were identified as the participant's primary source of social support in parenting. Perceived injunctive norms of this support person toward CP use were significantly and positively associated with attitudes toward, AOR = 5.97, 95% CI = [4.04, 8.82], and use of CP, AOR = 3.77, 95% CI = [2.55, 5.59]. However, perceived social support was not associated with these outcomes and also did not moderate these associations. Findings suggest that efforts to reduce maternal risk for child physical abuse and use of CP must include the mother's primary source of social support if they are to be successful.

Relationship between demographic variables and collegiate athletes’ perceptions of social support from head coaches

Previous research has demonstrated the importance of social support during the rehabilitation of an injury. In particular, athletes view coaches as a primary source of social support. However, coaches have been an inconsistent or insufficient source of social support. Certain demographic variables may be related to differences in perceived social support from coaches. The purpose of this study was to describe injured collegiate athletes’ perceptions of social support and explore whether differences in perceived social support from coaches existed due to contextual or situational factors. A survey on perceived social support from coaches was completed by athletes ( n = 246) at five NCAA institutions. Results support previous findings that injured athletes perceive coaches as sources of moderate to high amounts of social support. Additionally, significant differences emerged in perceived social support based on the level of competition and type of sport. These results reaffirm the role head coaches play in the rehabilitation of injured athletes. Understanding variables that influence how an athlete perceives social support from a coach could improve rehabilitation outcomes.

The relationship between social–emotional learning ability and perceived social support in gifted students

This study aimed to examine the relationship between social–emotional learning skills and perceived social support of gifted students. Based on this relationship, the authors also examined to what extent social and emotional learning skills were predictive of social support. In addition, gender variables were compared in social and emotional learning skills and social support as well. By convenient sampling, the study was carried out as a correlational research design and involved 117 gifted middle school students who attended an enriched after school program. For the collection of data, Social Emotional Learning Skills Scale (SELSS) and Child-Adolescent Social Support Scale (CASS) were used. Results showed that there was a significant correlation between SELSS and CASS. Regression analysis indicated that social and emotional learning skills explained 29% of social support importance section and 43% of frequency section. Another important finding was that gifted students saw close friends as the primary source of social support and their teachers as the important social support source. In addition, the most significant difference between female and male students was also found on most subscales of two scales in favour of females. Discussion and suggestions were provided based on the findings.

Types of social support and parental acceptance among transfemale youth and their impact on mental health, sexual debut, history of sex work and condomless anal intercourse.

IntroductionTransfemale youth (TFY) are an underserved and understudied population at risk for numerous poor physical and mental health outcomes, most notably HIV. Research suggests that parental acceptance and social support may serve as protective factors against HIV and other risks for TFY; however, it is unclear whether TFY receive primary social support from parents with or without parental acceptance of their gender identity. This study examines differences in parental acceptance, mental health and the HIV risk factors of history of sex work, age at sexual debut and engagement in condomless anal intercourse between TFY with two types of primary social support – non-parental primary social support (NPPSS) and parental primary social support (PPSS).MethodsCross-sectional data collected from 301 TFY from 2012 to 2014 in the San Francisco Bay Area were analyzed to determine differences in parental acceptance, mental health and HIV risk factors between youth with and without PPSS. Univariate statistics and chi-squared tests were conducted to determine if parental acceptance and health outcomes were correlated with type of social support.ResultsTwo-hundred fifty-one participants (83.7%) reported having NPPSS, and 49 (16.3%) reported PPSS. Significantly more youth with PPSS reported affirmative responses on parental acceptance items than their NPPSS counterparts. For example, 87.8% of youth with PPSS reported that their parents believed they could have a happy future as a trans adult, compared with 51.6% of youth with NPPSS (p<0.001). Fewer participants with PPSS reported symptoms of psychological distress (2.0% vs. 12.5%, p=0.057), though this finding was not statistically significant; no significant associations were found between primary social support type and HIV risk factors.ConclusionsThese results suggest that TFY with parental acceptance of their gender identity may be more likely to reach out to their parents as their primary source of social support. Interventions focused on parental acceptance of their child's gender identity may have the most promise for creating parental social support systems in the lives of TFY.

Validation of the Coping With Discrimination Scale in Sexual Minorities

The Coping With Discrimination Scale (CDS) shows promise as a self-report measure of strategies for coping with racial discrimination. To assess the psychometric properties of the measure for use with sexual minorities (i.e., gay, lesbian, bisexual, or GLB persons), a nonprobability sample of 371 GLB adults completed the instrument along with several standardized, self-report measures. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the five-factor structure of the original scale with the exclusion of five items. Adequate internal consistency reliability was found. Internalization, drug and alcohol use, and detachment subscales were correlated positively with measures of psychological distress and negatively with a measure of life satisfaction, providing evidence of construct validity. The education/advocacy and resistance subscales were largely unrelated to concurrently administered validation measures, consistent with prior findings. Coping strategy use varied as a function of primary sources of social support. The CDS appears to be a psychometrically sound measure of several discrimination coping strategies for use with sexual minorities.

Social Networks, Sexual Networks and HIV Risk in Men Who Have Sex with Men

Worldwide, men who have sex with men (MSM) remain one of the most HIV-vulnerable community populations. A global public health priority is developing new methods of reaching MSM, understanding HIV transmission patterns, and intervening to reduce their risk. Increased attention is being given to the role that MSM networks play in HIV epidemiology. This review of MSM network research studies demonstrates that: (1) Members of the same social network often share similar norms, attitudes, and HIV risk behavior levels; (2) Network interventions are feasible and powerful for reducing unprotected sex and potentially for increasing HIV testing uptake; (3) HIV vulnerability among African American MSM increases when an individual enters a high-risk sexual network characterized by high density and racial homogeneity; and (4) Networks are primary sources of social support for MSM, particularly for those living with HIV, with greater support predicting higher care uptake and adherence.

Social support provided to caregivers of children with cerebral palsy

To describe the perception of caregivers of children with cerebral palsy (CP) concerning social support received and to verify how the characteristics of the children (i.e. type of CP and severity of motor impairment) and those of their caregivers (i.e. age, level of education, occupation, income and number of children) are significantly related to this perception. A total of 50 children with CP aged between 3 and 12 years and their respective caregivers participated in this study. Children were grouped in terms of type of CP and according to the severity of motor impairment through the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). The Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ) was used to evaluate the perception of caregivers concerning the social support they receive (number of people offering support - SSQ-N index, and level of satisfaction concerning such support - SSQ-S index). The caregivers reported receiving support from a mean of 1.67 people. Core and extended family members (i.e. husband, mother, siblings) and friends are the most common providers of support. In regard to level of satisfaction, caregivers considered the support they received to be positive, obtaining a mean of 5.52 out of a total of six points. Children's and caregivers' characteristics were not significantly related to the SSQ-N and SSQ-S indexes. Family members are the caregivers' primary source of social support and caregivers reported being satisfied with the support they received.

Romantic Relationships Following Wartime Deployment

This study examines the romantic relationships of reservists following wartime deployment. Members of an Army Reserve unit and their partners participated in seven waves of interviews in the year following the reservists’ return from deployment. Qualitative analysis of these 101 interviews from 19 participants revealed four themes: (a) intermittent idealized closeness, (b) transition from independence to interdependence, (c) transition in the primary source of social support, and (d) ongoing renegotiation of roles. Intermittent idealized closeness fluctuated over time and was an individual rather than a joint phenomenon. Couples had to relearn how to be interdependent, and for some this was the most difficult aspect of reunion. Individuals shifted away from partners for social support during deployment and gradually shifted back to relying on partners following reunion. Transitions in work and family roles were negotiated on an ongoing basis throughout the year.

Sociodemographic profile and social support for post-stroke depression in Kinshasa: A rehabilitation based cross-sectional study

The World Health Organization has highlighted the emergence of non-communicable chronic diseases, including stroke, in developing countries. As a cause of death, stroke ranks first in Africa. Stroke is the foremost cause of neuropsychiatric disease, including post-stroke depression (PSD) which is a very common disease. Surveys of this condition in Congolese pa tients are virtually non-existent. The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of PSD in Congolese patients and identify associated sociodemographic factors. Age, sex, address, province of origin, social and professional status, education, religion and consumption habits were chosen as indicators or parameters of interest to be examined in this study. The results of descriptive analyses are presented as frequencies for categorical variables and as mean ± standard deviation for quantitative variables. The association between different variables was assessed using tables of comparisons of proportions and the Chi-square test. Logistic regression was performed to predict the occurrence of PSD. There were more male than female patients. The mean age was 54.67 ± 12.51 years. Nearly 3 fourths of the patients were aged less than 65. The family was the primary source of social support. The majority was satisfied by the social support received from the family. Just over half the study patients (53.6%) had mild to severe depression as assessed by the PHQ9. Univariate analysis and logistic regression indicated a statistically significant association between low educational level and the occurrence of PSD. However, there was no relationship between age, sex or drinking habits and the onset of PSD. The majority of the subjects were satisfied by the social support from their families. Depression was common after stroke with the occurrence of 53.6%. These results highlight the need to investigate, diagnose and treat PSD, which is a risk factor for morbidity and mortality after stroke.

Unmet Needs for Social Support and Effects on Diabetes Self-care Activities in Korean Americans With Type 2 Diabetes

The purpose of this study was (1) to characterize the primary sources of social support and the extent of unmet needs for support (defined as the gap between social support needs and the receipt of social support) in a sample of Korean Americans (KAs) with type 2 diabetes and (2) to examine the effect of unmet needs for support on their self-care activities. Baseline data obtained from a community-based intervention trial were used for this study of 83 middle-aged KAs with type 2 diabetes. Study design and data analysis were guided by social cognitive theory. The key variables were dictated the order of the variables in multivariate regression analysis. Our findings indicated that for diabetic KAs, the primary source of social support differed according to gender. Unmet needs for support were significantly associated with self-care activities, but the amount of support needs and of social support received were not. Multivariate analysis also confirmed that unmet needs for social support are a significant strong predictor of inadequate type 2 diabetes self-care activities, after controlling for other covariates. The hierarchical regression model explained about 30% of total variance in self-care activities. The findings highlight the importance of considering unmet needs for social support when addressing self-care activities in type 2 diabetes patients. Future interventions should focus on filling gaps in social support and tailoring approaches according to key determinants, such as gender or education level, to improve self-care activities in the context of type 2 diabetes care.

Sources of functional social support provided to people living with HIV

Aim. To identify sources of functional social support (i.e. appraisal, belonging and tangible) provided to people living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome through biological, legal or social relationships. We also examined associations between self‐described sexual orientation (heterosexual vs. homosexual), gender, and race and sources of functional social support.Background. People from both traditional and non‐traditional structures are primary sources of social support for many people who experience serious illnesses. There is limited research regarding sources of functional social support provided to people living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome. No published studies were identified that examined the relationship between self‐described sexual orientation and sources of functional social support.Methods. The convenience sample in this cross‐sectional, exploratory study consisted of 150 people living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome, aged 19 to 68 years, who were mostly male (79·3%); African American (68·7%) and single (68·7%). Participants’ self‐described sexual orientation was almost equally heterosexual (48%) and homosexual (43·3%). Participants self‐reported whether appraisal, belonging and tangible support were provided from a list of potential biological, legal and social relationships. The study was conducted in 2005.Results. Relationships that provided appraisal, belonging and tangible functional social support most often involved spouses, friends, siblings and mothers. There was no significant relationship between self‐described sexual orientation (heterosexual vs. homosexual) or gender and sources of functional social support. Blacks were less likely to report tangible support from other relatives (e.g. aunts and uncles); otherwise, there were no significant difference in functional social support by race.Conclusion. People living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome most often received appraisal, belonging and tangible support from spouses, friends, siblings and mothers.Relevance to clinical practice. Health‐care professionals should empower these people who provide functional social support.

Stressful events, social support and coping strategies of primiparous women during the postpartum period: a qualitative study

Objective to identify problems and events perceived as stressful by primiparous mothers during the postpartum period, and to explore the social support and coping strategies they used to face these situations. Design a qualitative study. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews and analysed using a content-analysis method. Setting Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland from October 2006 to March 2007. Participants 60 women interviewed six weeks after the birth at term of their first child. Findings during the early postpartum period, interaction with caregivers was an important source of perceived stress. Upon returning home, the partner was considered as the primary source of social support, but the first need expressed was for material support. Breast feeding was perceived negatively by the new mothers, and this may be due to the difference between the actual problems encountered and the idealised expectations conveyed by prenatal information. Educational information dispensed by medical staff during the prenatal period was not put into practice during the postpartum period. Mothers expressed the need to be accompanied and counselled when problems arose and regretted the lack of long-term postpartum support. Key conclusions and implications for practice both the prenatal education and postpartum social support seem to mismatch women's needs and expectations. Concerted efforts are required by health professionals at the maternity unit and in the community to provide mothers with more adequate postpartum assistance.

Non-traditional lifestyles and prevalence of mental disorders in adolescents in Goa, India

Adolescents comprise a fifth of the population of India, but there is little research on their mental health. We conducted an epidemiological study in the state of Goa to describe the current prevalence of mental disorders and its correlates among adolescents aged between 12 and 16 years. To estimate the prevalence and correlates of mental disorders in adolescents. Population-based survey of all eligible adolescents from six urban wards and four rural communities which were randomly selected. We used a Konkani translation of the Development and Well-Being Assessment to diagnose current DSM-IV emotional and behavioural disorders. All adolescents were also interviewed on socio-economic factors, education, neighbourhood, parental relations, peer and sexual relationships, violence and substance use. Out of 2,684 eligible adolescents, 2,048 completed the study. The current prevalence of any DSM-IV diagnosis was 1.81%; 95% CI 1.27-2.48. The most common diagnoses were anxiety disorders (1.0%), depressive disorder (0.5%), behavioural disorder (0.4%) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (0.2%). Adolescents from urban areas and girls who faced gender discrimination had higher prevalence. The final multivariate model found an independent association of mental disorders with an outgoing 'non-traditional' lifestyle (frequent partying, going to the cinema, shopping for fun and having a boyfriend or girlfriend), difficulties with studies, lack of safety in the neighbourhood, a history of physical or verbal abuse and tobacco use. Having one's family as the primary source of social support was associated with lower prevalence of mental disorders. The current prevalence of mental disorders in adolescents in our study was very low compared with studies in other countries. Strong family support was a critical factor associated with low prevalence of mental disorders, while factors indicative of adoption of a non-traditional lifestyle were associated with an increased prevalence.