Reliable Alliance Research Articles

An intuitionistic fuzzy graph’s variation coefficient measure with application to selecting a reliable alliance partner

Group decision-making (GDM) is crucial in various components of graph theory, management science, and operations research. In particular, in an intuitionistic fuzzy group decision-making problem, the experts communicate their preferences using intuitionistic fuzzy preference relations (IFPRs). This approach is a way that decision-makers rank or select the most desirable alternatives by gathering criteria-based information to estimate the best alternatives using a wider range of knowledge and experience. This article proposes a new statistical measure in a fuzzy environment when the data is ambiguous or unreliable to solve a decision-making problem. This study uses the variation coefficient measure combined with intuitionistic fuzzy graphs (IFG) and Laplacian energy (LE) to solve a GDM problem that utilizes intuitionistic fuzzy preference relations (IFPRs) to select a reliable alliance partner. Initially, the Laplacian energy determines the weight of individual standards, and the obtained weight average further estimates the overall criterion weight vector. We establish the authority criteria weights using the variation coefficient measure and then ultimately rank the alternatives for each criterion using the same measure. We examine four distinct companies Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Zeta to conduct a realistic GDM to choose which alliance partner would be ideal. We successfully implemented the suggested technique, determining that Alpha satisfies company standards and is ranked first among other companies. Moreover, this technique is useful for all kinds of Intuitionistic fuzzy group decision-making problems to select optimal ones.

Examining the Impact of Social Support on Psychological Well-Being Among Canadian Individuals With COPD: Implications for Government Policies.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a significant respiratory disease and is globally ranked as the third leading cause of death. In Canada, the direct healthcare costs associated with COPD are estimated to be $1.5 billion annually. This study utilized quantitative analyses to examine the impact of specific dimensions of social support, namely, guidance, reliable alliance, reassurance of worth, attachment, and social integration within a clinically identified population of individuals with COPD who exhibit symptoms of depression and anxiety. The study was based on the Social Provisions Theory and stress-buffering hypothesis, utilizing large-scale population data from Statistics Canada's 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) Mental Health component. On a national scale, individuals were more likely to report a decreased sense of belonging to a group of friends (social integration) and struggle to depend on others in stressful times (reliable alliance) while experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression. These findings underscore the potential benefits of integrating peer support, socialization initiatives, and caregiver training into clinical programs designed for individuals with COPD.

Links Between Best-Friendship Quality and Well-Being From Early Emerging Adulthood to Early Established Adulthood.

The aim of this study was to verify whether the links between features of best-friendship quality (intimacy, reliable alliance, conflict) and well-being indicators (self-esteem, loneliness) change from early emerging adulthood to early established adulthood. The moderating effect of gender and investment in romantic life on these links was examined as well. For the purpose, 346 individuals (58% women) completed questionnaires at age 20 and again at age 30. Multilevel analysis were performed for each well-being indicators separately. The results showed reliable alliance to be associated with both well-being indicators, and intimacy to be associated with loneliness. Age moderated the effect of intimacy on self-esteem, whereas investment in romantic life moderated the effect of reliable alliance. Finally, triple interactions emerged between conflict, gender and age in their associations with self-esteem and loneliness, underscoring particularities for men. These results underscore the most influential features of friendship quality for well-being.

Friendship Functions in Adolescence: Hungarian Version of the McGill Friendship Questionnaire

The aim of the study was to explore same-sex and opposite-sex friendship functions among 12 to 13- and 16 to 17-year-old Hungarian adolescents ( n = 304). To explore perceptions of friendship functions, the McGill Friendship Questionnaire (MFQ, 30 items, 6 factors: stimulating companionship, help, intimacy, reliable alliance, self-validation, emotional security) was used. The confirmatory factor analysis did not support the theoretical structure of MFQ. Based on the exploratory factor analysis, the 26-item Hungarian version of MFQ can be used to measure adolescents (the original 6 factors were retained). The internal reliability indices of the MFQ versions (same and opposite sex) were adequate (Cronbach’s α: .69–.88). The results only partially confirmed the age and gender hypotheses. Based on the results, the older students are more likely to acknowledge the achievements and positives of a friend for both same-sex and opposite-sex friends, as well as intimacy for opposite-sex friends. Also among older students, we identified several significant gender differences: for girls, all features of friendship were more important, except self-validation in same-sex friendship. In the opposite-sex relationship, only stimulating companionship and reliable alliance are more important for girls. The results raise the possibility that friendship functions build on and reinforce each other with age.

Relationship Between Perceived Parental Support and Subjective Well-Being of Emerging Adults in Indonesia

Studies on the relationship between perceived parental support (PPS) and subjective well-being (SWB) were mostly conducted in individualistic countries or cohort of adolescents. This study aims to provide empirical evidence for the relationship between PPS and SWB in emerging adults in Indonesia, which is considered to have a predominantly collectivistic culture. Specifically, the present study identifies the types of PPS (attachment, social integration, opportunity for nurturance, reassurance or worth, reliable alliance, and guidance) that play a significant contribution to emerging adults’ SWB. A total of 315 emerging adults ( M age = 21.18, SD = 1.39, 72.06% female, 81.90% college students, and 18.10% college graduates) participated in this study. The structural equation model showed that PPS is significantly related to SWB. In addition, guidance is the only type of PPS that has a statistically significant association with SWB. Potential explanations in respect to Indonesian collectivistic culture are discussed.

The Transformative power of friendships: Examining the relationships among friendship quality, self‐change, and well‐being

AbstractFriendships are beneficial to a person's growth and well‐being. People in close relationships may experience four types of self‐change: self‐expansion, self‐pruning, self‐contraction, and self‐adulteration. The current cross‐sectional research sought to investigate whether these relational self‐change processes explain the links between friendship quality and well‐being in same‐sex best friendships. Study 1A (N = 187) adapted the Turkish Relational Self‐Change Scale to the friendship context and confirmed its psychometric adequacy in addressing friendship‐based self‐changes in Türkiye. Study 1B (N = 306) examined the links between different friendship functions and relational self‐changes, as well as whether relational self‐changes explain the link between friendship quality and ontological well‐being. Among the specific friendship functions, stimulating companionship and self‐validation were related to self‐expansion and self‐pruning, whereas reliable alliance was related to self‐contraction and self‐adulteration. Self‐adulteration also indirectly explained the relationship between friendship quality and ontological well‐being. Study 2 (N = 204) revealed that only self‐pruning explained the link between perceived friend responsiveness and overall well‐being. The contributions of friendships to self‐change and personal well‐being were discussed in light of the findings.

Social network type contributes to purpose in life among older people, mediated by social support

A sense of Purpose in Life is an important aspect of ageing well which is related to older adult’s social relationships. Social network types and the different sources of support they provide are theorized here as a pathway to maintaining a sense of purpose as we age. The study utilized a population sample from the 2016 and 2020 NZ Health, Work, and Retirement (NZHWR) longitudinal survey waves; N = 2869 (mean age of 65.82 years (SD = 6.40). A structural equation model investigated the relationship between Social Network Type and Purpose in Life and the mediating role of Social Support. The final model had a good fit to the data and explained 33.7% of the variance in Purpose in Life. Private, Self-Contained and Family Dependent network types (2016) were negatively related to Purpose in Life 4 years later (2020). Support from sense of Attachment, Reassurance of Worth, Reliable Alliance and Social Integration played a mediating role between Social Network type and Purpose in Life. These findings highlight the importance of social networks in maintaining a sense of purpose among older adults and highlight pathways for the types of networks, and kinds of social support they offer, which contribute to a sense of purpose in life. They underscore the importance of social support for the well-being of older adults and highlight the need to consider the quality and type of social networks and support they provide, when designing interventions to enhance well-being.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Canadian Adults: to what Extent Might Social Support Subdomains and Negative Social Interactions Predict Psychological Distress?

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) may involve persistent and unwarranted anxiety, fear, and rumination, combined with various somatic symptoms (e.g., fatigue, dizziness, muscle tension, and nausea) which may compel many to withdraw socially. While studies report an inverse relationship between social support and psychological distress among adults with GAD, those that assess the distinct influence of negative social relations, particularly by sex are limited. The primary aims of this study were to (a) assess and compare respondents with a lifetime of GAD in terms of levels of perceived social support (using the Social Provisions Scale - 10 Items (SPS-10) Scale), negative social interactions (using the Negative Social Interaction (NSI) Scale) and psychological distress (using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10)), and (b) determine whether SPS-10 subdomains and NSIs predict psychological distress. Compared with a matched sample without GAD, respondents with GAD were more likely to be single, divorced, and have lower incomes. Respondents with GAD also had lower overall SPS-10 scores, and lower scores for each subdomain (i.e., 'guidance', 'reliable alliance', 'reassurance of worth', 'attachment', and 'social integration'), and higher NSI and K10 scores. Although no difference in psychological distress was observed between men and women with GAD, men had lower SPS-10 scores (overall and for each subdomain), while women had higher NSIs scores. A subsequent hierarchical regression for respondents with GAD revealed that 'social integration' and 'reassurance of worth' predicted lower psychological distress, while higher NSI scores predicted higher psychological distress. Finding implications and future research are discussed.

An exploratory factor analysis and reliability analysis among Malaysian elderly

Low awareness and underdeveloped instruments evaluating elderly Malaysians’ well-being, social support, and independence necessitate lubben social network scale (LSNS), social provisions scale (SPS), Katz activities of daily living (ADL), and life satisfaction index (LSI) development and evaluation involving 201 60-year-old males and females (purposive samples) in Kuching and Bintulu participated (June to August 2022). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) examined the construct validity of LSNS, SPS, Katz ADL, and LSI, whereas principal axis factoring (paf) and orthogonal (varimax) rotation with Kaiser Normalisation validated their psychometric properties and internal consistency reliability using Cronbach’s alpha. Social integration (0.94), reassurance of worth (0.91), attachment (0.90), sense of reliable alliance (0.78), and guidance (0.74) have eigenvalues >1 in the SPS-10 EFA; good Cronbach’s alpha reliability values. Family (0.77) and friends (0.73) of LSNS-6 factors have eigenvalues >1, good Cronbach’s alpha reliability values. Acceptance-contentment (0.87) and Achievement-fulfilment (0.72) had eigenvalues >1 in the Life Satisfaction Index-Z EFA, good Cronbach’s alpha reliability values. In the EFA of Katz ADL, single items with factor loadings ≥0.5: bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, and feeding; loadings <0.3: Continence; Cronbach’s alpha reliability value was 0.95. LSNS, SPS, Katz ADL, and LSI were valid and reliable instruments measuring elderly well-being, social support, and independence. Confirmatory factor analyses will revalidate it in different populations.

Pre-Prison and Indigenous Predictors of Institutional Misconduct.

This study prospectively predicted institutional misconduct over a 34-month period using pre-prison factors-intrinsic characteristics an individual brings into prison-stemming from importation theory and indigenous factors-prison environment factors that affect an incarcerated adult-stemming from deprivation theory. Participants were 114 male and female incarcerated adults. Poisson regressions predicting the number of institutional infractions partially supported each of the models tested. Both pre-prison factors of self-regulatory mode and perceived social support were related to infractions but in unique ways. For regulatory mode, locomotion was positively, and assessment negatively associated with misconduct. For social support, perceptions of guidance received within a reliable alliance with others were negatively related to misconduct, whereas perceptions of guidance without that alliance were positively related to institutional misconduct. Of our indigenous factors, sentence length was negatively related to misconduct, whereas custody level was unrelated to misconduct. Implications of the findings and directions for future research are discussed.

Parent and Romantic Partner Behaviors during Adolescence as Predictors of Young Adult Positive Personality, Relational Competence, and Functional Independence.

Experiences with parents and romantic partners during adolescence are theorized to have long-term effects on youth development. However, little research has empirically examined the relative contributions of experiences in each type of relationship at different points during adolescence to positive development in young adulthood. The goal of the present study was to predict relative changes in youth positive personality characteristics, relational competence, and functional independence during young adulthood from specific behaviors experienced from parents and romantic partners during early and late adolescence. A diverse community sample of 147 individuals (59 males, 88 females) from the southeastern United States was repeatedly assessed across a 14-year period from age 13 to age 27. As hypothesized, parental acceptance and successful parental positive influence behavior toward adolescents at age 13 predicted relative increases in positive personality traits (e.g., agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability) between ages 23 and 27. These same parental behaviors measured at age 18 were less robust predictors of key outcomes relative to similar qualities of romantic relationships. Instead, romantic behaviors of toleration and appreciation at age 18 predicted relative increases in functional independence and relational competence between ages 23 and 27 (e.g., attachment closeness, reliable alliance, nurturance, and functional independence). Results suggest that parents' successful efforts to positively influence and accept their children during early adolescence may lay a foundation for future positive personality growth, and that similar positive behaviors experienced in late adolescent romantic relationships may help prepare youth to develop broader supportive social relationships and independence skills in young adulthood.

From Physical Distancing to Social Loneliness among Gay Men and Other Men Having Sex with Men in Belgium: Examining the Disruption of the Social Network and Social Support Structures.

Since the start of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, levels of loneliness have increased among the general population and especially among sexual minorities, such as gay men and other men who have sex with men, who already experienced more problems with social isolation before the pandemic. We analyzed how the disruption of the social network and social support structures by containment measures impact loneliness among gay and other men having sex with men. Our sample consisted of gay and other men having sex with men who had in person communication with family as well as heterosexual friends and homosexual friends before the lockdown (N = 461). Multivariate regression analyses were performed with social provisions (social interaction and reliable alliance) and loneliness as dependent variables. A change from in-person communication with gay peers before the pandemic to remote-only or no communication with gay peers during the pandemic, mediated by change in social integration, was related to an increased feeling of loneliness during the pandemic compared with before the pandemic. There were some unexpected findings, which should be interpreted in the specific social context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. On average, social integration and reliable alliance among MSM increased during the lockdown, even though in-person communication decreased and loneliness increased. Our results show it is critical to maintain a view of social support and social loneliness as lodged within larger social and cultural contexts that ultimately shape the mechanisms behind them.

Developmental changes in best friendship quality during emerging adulthood.

The purpose of this study was to examine change in four features of best friendship quality (intimacy, companionship, reliable alliance and conflict) from age 19 to 30 by gender and investment in romantic life. To this end, 363 participants (58% women) were asked about the quality of the relationship with their best friend and their level of investment in romantic life at ages 19, 20, 21, 22, 25 and 30. Latent growth curve analysis revealed a slight increase in reliable alliance and companionship and a slight decrease in intimacy in the early 20s followed by a steeper drop for these three features (quadratic trajectories), while conflict declined linearly. Women reported higher levels of intimacy and companionship and less conflict than men did at 19 years old. Also, their intimacy diminished throughout their 20s, slightly at first but more strongly thereafter. For men, it was lower early on and remained stable afterwards. Finally, investment in romantic life at age 19 was associated with change in intimacy levels shared with their best friend. This study confirms that features of best friendship quality change differently from one another during emerging adulthood and demonstrates the influence of gender and investment in romantic life on these changes.

Peer support in an outpatient clinic for people living with human immunodeficiency virus: a qualitative study of service users\u2019 experiences

BackgroundAlthough human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has become a manageable condition with increasing life expectancy, people living with HIV (PLHIV) are still often isolated from society due to stigma and discrimination. Peer support provides one avenue for increased social support. Given the limited research on peer support from the perspective of PLHIV, this study explored their experiences of peer support organised by healthcare professionals in an outpatient clinical setting.MethodsThe study used a qualitative, descriptive research design for an in-depth understanding of peer support provided to PLHIV in the context of outpatient clinics. Healthcare professionals contributed to the recruitment of 16 participants. We conducted in-depth interviews about participants’ experiences of peer support, and performed a directed content analysis of the data. Further, we sorted the data into pre-determined categories.ResultsThe pre-determined categories constituted attachment, social integration, an opportunity for nurturance, reassurance of worth, reliable alliance, and guidance. The identified themes were: gained emotional support, disclosure behaviour allowed garnering of emotional support, non-disclosure promoted the need to meet a peer, experienced a sense of belonging, activated an opportunity for mutual support, means to re-establish belief in one’s own worth, perceived a positive affirmation of disease management, facilitated dialogue about disease management, the outpatient clinic as a safe place, and a setting for flexible, individualised support.ConclusionsThis study highlights the peer support experiences of PLHIV in the context of outpatient clinics. The participants’ experiences align with previous findings, showing that peer support contributes to mutual emotional support between peers. This is particularly important in cultures of non-disclosure where PLHIV experience intersectional stigma. Additionally, our results show outpatient clinics to be supportive surroundings for facilitating peer support, ensuring confidentiality in peer support outreach. Therefore, peer support contributes positively to individualising outpatient clinic services to meet the changing needs of PLHIV.

Cooperation between Russia and China in Northeast Asia: partner of convenience or reliable alliance?

Cooperation between Russia and China in Northeast Asia: partner of convenience or reliable alliance?

Can robots tackle late-life loneliness? Scanning of future opportunities and challenges in assisted living facilities

This future-oriented study examines the opportunities and challenges offered by social robots and communication technology when aiming to decrease emotional and social loneliness in older people residing in assisted living (AL). The paper draws on prior literature on loneliness, elder care and social robots. The aim is to scan the futures regarding technology support for the frail older people in future AL. The analytical frame was built on Robert Weiss’ division of relational functions: attachment, social integration, opportunity for nurturance, reassurance of worth, sense of reliable alliance, and guidance in stressful situations, and on a distinction between direct and indirect social robots. Our examinations show that social robots could tackle both emotional and social loneliness in assisted living by empowering people to engage in different forms of social interaction inside and outside the facility. However, ethical concerns of objectification, lack of human contact, and deception need to be thoroughly considered when implementing social robots in care for frail older people.

No Longer an Island: A Social Network Intervention Engaging Black Men Through CBPR.

The aim of this study was to assess outcomes from a multilevel social network intervention to promote the health of Black men. Through a community–academic collaboration and using a participatory research approach, we implemented the intervention over 4 years in a 110-block area of an urban neighborhood. The project aimed to implement a neighborhood peer outreach and leadership network to strengthen social support of Black men and increase community and family engagement. Intervention activities included three 12-month intergenerational peer support groups (N = 46), a door-to-door outreach campaign (N = 186), media and communication efforts, and a community partner network. Primary outcomes for the peer support groups were measured using a pretest/posttest cohort design and included social support, perceived stress, social capital, and global self-esteem. Primary outcomes for the door-to-door outreach campaign were measured using a repeated cross-sectional design and included a sense of community, neighborhood social interaction, perceived neighborhood control, and self-rated health status. Significant findings from the peer support groups included an increase in social support overall (p = .027), driven by improvements in guidance, reliable alliance, and reassurance of worth; and an improvement in perceived stress (p = .047). Significant findings from the door-to-door outreach campaign included increases in neighborhood social interaction (p < .0001) and perceived neighborhood control (p = .036). This project provides evidence that a participatory approach to planning and delivering a health promotion intervention aimed at creating positive social spaces and enhancing social connections can result in significant outcomes and successful engagement of Black men.

When friends behave badly: Loneliness and children's expectations of friends and responses to transgressions

Previous research has shown that friendships buffer against loneliness, but some children remain lonely despite having best friends. The current study examines relationships between loneliness and Friendship Functions, expectations, and responses to friendship transgressions in children with best friends (8-11years; N=177). Children completed questionnaires that measured loneliness, fulfilment of Friendship Functions, Friendship Expectations, and the Transgressions of Friendship Expectations Questionnaire (MacEvoy & Asher, Child Development, 83, 2012, 104). Findings in the current study showed that loneliness was associated with lower Friendship Expectations and higher reliable alliance in existing best friendships. Loneliness was also associated with lower sadness and lower perceptions of feeling controlled and devalued by their friend when they transgress. Thus, children with best friends experiencing high loneliness may be more permissiveness of friendship transgressions and may need support to ensure that they do not allow their friends to be unfair to them. Statement of contribution What is already known on the subject? Friendships buffer children from loneliness, but some remain lonely despite having friends. Loneliness has been associated with poor-quality friendships. But there is no examination of why children remain lonely when they have friends. What the present study adds? Lonely children overemphasize friendship qualities that help to maintain the relationship. Loneliness was linked to expectations of being friends with less popular and well-liked peers. Lonely children placed less blame on their friends when they violated Friendship Expectations.

Social Support-A Protective Factor for Depressed Perinatal Women?

Social support before and after childbirth is a possible protective factor for perinatal depression. Currently, there is a lack of longitudinal studies beyond the first year postpartum exploring the relationship of social support with depression and anxiety. Social support is also a possible protective factor for adverse child development, which is a known consequence of perinatal depression. The present study followed up a cohort of depressed women (n = 54) from a randomised controlled trial of psychological treatment for antenatal depression. We examined the trajectory of the relationships between perceived social support (Social Provisions Scale), depression (Beck Depression Inventory), and anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory) twice in pregnancy and twice postpartum up to two years. The influence of social support on child development and parenting-related stress was also explored. Two aspects of social support, Reassurance of Worth and Reliable Alliance, were strongly related to perinatal depression and anxiety, particularly when predicting symptoms in late pregnancy. However, the effect of postnatal depression on child development at 9 and 24 months post-birth was not mediated by social support. These results suggest the importance of adjusting current interventions for depressed perinatal women to focus on social support in late pregnancy and the first six months postpartum.

Pengaruh Self Efficacy Dan Dukungan Sosial Terhadap Optimisme Karyawan Kontrak Uin Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta

This study was conducted to determine the factors that affect optimism on employee contract, that involved 217 contract employees of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta. Nonprobability sampling was used as sampling technique. Instruments in this study using an adaptation of optimism scale which is Life Orientation test- revised , and a modified scale of Generl Self Efficacy Scale, and the last one is adaptation of social support scale from Weiss (at Cutrona, 1987). While the method of analysis using multiple regression by SPSS software, Lisrel was used for construct validity testing. The result showed that there was a significant effect of self efficacy variables (innitiative, effort, and persistence) and social support (attachment, social integration, reassurance of worth, reliable alliance, guidance, and opportunity for nurturance) to optimism on contract employees. Although it was found that the results showed from nine independent variables there is only six independent variable that significantly affects the optimism of the contract employees was innitiative, effort, persistence, attachment, social integration and reliable alliance. DOI:10.15408/tazkiya.v22i2.8407