Significance Of Social Support Research Articles

I am Lifted Above the World: utilizing VR for stress reduction among perinatal women of color.

Perinatal mental health conditions affect 800,000 individuals annually in the United States and are a leading cause of complications in pregnancy and childbirth. However, the impact of these conditions varies across racial and ethnic groups. Portable digital solutions, such as mobile apps, have been developed for maternal mental health, but they often do not adequately cater to the needs of women of color. To ensure the effectiveness and equity of these interventions, it is crucial to consider the unique experiences of perinatal women from diverse racial backgrounds. This qualitative study aims to explore the complex aspects of motherhood, maternal mental well-being, and resilience among perinatal women of color. It also investigates the factors that either hinder or facilitate the use of Virtual Reality (VR) for stress management in this specific demographic. This research involves two focus groups comprising perinatal women, primarily identifying as Black or Latina, enrolled in the ongoing Nurturing Moms study at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Additionally, feedback is collected from five different participants. The study assesses Nurture VR™, a VR-based program integrating mindfulness techniques, relaxation exercises, and guided imagery for pregnancy and postpartum. Qualitative analysis uncovers five primary themes and 19 sub-themes, addressing the complexities of motherhood, maternal mental health, attitudes towards VR therapy, postpartum care, and the perception of resilience. Participants share challenges related to household management, caregiving, financial stress, breastfeeding, relaxation, sleep, and the significance of social support. Their preferences and reservations regarding VR therapy are also expressed. This study sheds light on the diverse struggles and obstacles faced by women of color during and after pregnancy, with potential repercussions for their mental and sleep health. It underscores the need for mental health screening and analysis of maternal stress-related sleep issues, in addition to the facilitation of social support in maternal health programs. Additionally, it highlights the promise of culturally responsive behavioral treatments, including VR interventions, in offering timely and tailored mental health support to perinatal women, taking into account their intersectional identities.

Dukungan Sosial Selama Nifas Komplementer

This research is a qualitative study aimed at exploring the experiences of mothers undergoing complementary postpartum period in the village of Bandasari, with a focus on the social support they receive during this period. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with mothers who had recently given birth and through participatory observation in the village. The results of this study indicate that social support plays a significant role in helping mothers cope with the physical and psychological challenges during the complementary postpartum period. This support comes from family, neighbors, and local community members. Furthermore, culture and local values also influence the types of support available and received by mothers. This study provides important insights into the significance of social support in maternal recovery after childbirth and underscores the crucial role of the community in providing support during the complementary postpartum period. 
 
 Keywords: Social Support, Complementary Postpartum Period, Experiences

The burden of myasthenia gravis - highlighting the impact on family planning and the role of social support.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare autoimmune disease and chronic condition that necessitates specialized care. Patients experience a significant burden of disease affecting various aspects of their lives. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of MG on family planning, challenges associated with pregnancy, childcare responsibilities and the extent to which MG patients perceive and utilize social support. This analysis used data from our main data of a large cross-sectional study built on a questionnaire-based survey encompassing 1,660 MG patients and members of the German Myasthenia Association (Deutsche Myasthenie Gesellschaft), and focused on sociodemographic, clinical and family planning relevant data points. Decisions regarding family planning were significantly impacted for individuals with MG when MG symptoms started either before or during their family planning (men: n = 19 and 29.7%; women: n = 156 and 58.4%). In this subgroup a substantial proportion opted against parenthood due to MG (men: n = 8 and 50.0%; women: n = 54 and 38.0% and/or another n = 12 and 8.4% of female participants encountered partner-related refusals). In the subgroup of female SP with MG starting before or during family planning who have reported ever been pregnant the self-reported miscarriage rate was 29.0% (n = 51). MG patients with medium incomes or moderate disease severity reported lower levels of perceived social support. 42.7% (n = 606) of participants needed assistance in negotiations with health insurers and 28.0% (n = 459) needed support for transportation to medical appointments. This study shows a significant impact of MG on family planning decisions, affecting both women and men, and often resulting in life-altering decisions such as voluntary childlessness due to MG. The significance of social support becomes evident as a vital factor, especially when navigating through the healthcare system. Tailored healthcare approaches, organized guidance and comprehensive support is needed to enable informed decision-making and offer assistance for MG patients. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03979521, Registered 7 June 2019 (retrospectively registered).

Outlooks on using a mobile health intervention for supportive pain management for children and adolescents with cancer: a qualitative study

BackgroundConsiderable improvements in the prognosis of pediatric cancer patients have been achieved over recent decades due to advances in treatment. Nevertheless, as the most common and distressing health issue for pediatrics with cancer, cancer-related pain is still a significant hurdle that impedes patients’ journey to recovery, compromises their quality of life, and delays the positive outcome and effectiveness of their treatments.PurposeTaking into consideration that acceptability studies are imperative for the design, evaluation, and implementation of healthcare interventions, this study aims to explore pediatric oncology patients’ readiness to use a mobile health application that emphasizes social assistance and peer support in addition to conventional pain management methods.Design and methodsThis study followed the Qualitative description approach. Twelve participants were chosen based on purposive sampling and maximum variation sampling. Interviews were analyzed using the conventional content analysis.ResultsAnalysis of the interviews revealed four major categories: (A) The need for connectedness; (B) An innovative way to connect yet fearful; (C) A 3D approach; (D) Fears of the unfamiliar.ConclusionsThis study is the first in Lebanon and the region to undertake an initiative towards introducing technology for pain assessment and management of children with cancer through a dedicated digital platform. The study results attested to the acceptability and potential utilization of this platform by children with cancer.Practice implicationsNurses need to be trained to play an essential role in teaching children with cancer about the significance of social support and assisting them to establish their social support network. Children with cancer are encouraged to voice out their need for help. Our proposed application can create an enabling environment to harness the power of social support and provide children with cancer the opportunity to connect on a deeper level in a supportive and pity-free space.

Perceptions of social support and relationships while living with a brain tumour: a qualitative study

Objective Having a brain tumour can disrupt social roles and networks. Despite growing evidence on the significance of social support in adjustment to chronic illness, research rarely focuses on the role of relationships when coping with a brain tumour. The current study sought to explore individuals’ experiences of social support, and the dynamics within their social relationships, following a diagnosis of a brain tumour. Methods Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used as a methodological framework. Participants were 12 individuals (83% female) aged 29-54 years diagnosed with primary brain tumour (83% low grade), on average 3.5 years post-diagnosis. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using IPA. Results Five themes were identified: Coping together in the family; Being concerned about others; Giving and receiving support; Needing to share the experience; and Negotiating independence. The results highlighted that the illness affected a whole network of closest relationships, and that coping was not an individual task. Conclusion Coping with the condition was deeply socially embedded. There was a cost associated with seeking support and participants did not always ask for it, in order not to burden the caregivers. Talking to others with similar diagnoses provided a sense of validation and belonging.

Parenting a child with disability: A mother's reflection on the significance of social support.

No abtract available.

Prevalence of depression and anxiety, and their relationship to social support among patients and family caregivers of rare bone diseases

BackgroundRare bone diseases (RBDs) are a set of inherited rare diseases that can cause disability and have a devastating impact on families affected, which may lead to a particular high prevalence of psychological disorders in patients and caregivers. Social support plays a role in the well-being of families with rare disease patients, but its effect on psychology of RBD families remains unclear. The purpose of the current cross-sectional quantitative study was to investigate the frequency of depression and anxiety, and their relationship with social support among RBD patients and family caregivers.ResultsA total of 196 participants responded to the questionnaire, including 72 patients and 124 caregivers. Depression was detected among 33.8% of patients and 57% of caregivers, and anxiety disorder was presented in 28.6% of patients and 50% of caregivers. Higher depression scores and anxiety scores were found in both patients and caregivers with an education level of ≤ middle school and monthly income of ≤ ￥2000 (all P < 0.05). The mean (SD) scores of Social Support Rating Scales in patients and caregivers were 37.06 (8.05) and 38.31 (5.76), respectively. After adjusting for gender, age, monthly income, education, employment and marital status, the reverse associations between depression scores, anxiety scores and social support were found merely in caregivers (depression & social support: β = − 0. 46, P < 0.001, anxiety & social support: β = − 0. 44, P < 0.001), specifically for subjective support (depression & subjective support: β = − 0.94, P < 0.001, anxiety & subjective support: β = − 0.87, P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe study identified a high prevalence of depression and anxiety among RBD patients and caregivers, and pointed out the significance of social support in alleviating psychological distress. In order to provide RBD families with comprehensive assistance, the government should actively develop programs aimed at psychological aid, policy advocacy and tangible support.

Coping with adverse childhood experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: Perceptions of mental health service providers.

BackgroundAdverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have been associated with long-term physical and mental health conditions, toxic stress levels, developing unstable interpersonal relationships, and substance use disorders due to unresolved childhood adversities.AimsThis study assessed the perspectives of mental health providers (MHPs) regarding their adult patients’ coping with ACEs during COVID-19 in Houston, Texas. Specifically, we explored how individuals with ACEs are coping with the increased stresses of the pandemic, how MHPs may provide therapeutic support for individuals with ACEs during this pandemic, pandemic-related challenges of accessing and utilizing mental health services for individuals with ACEs, and the awareness and treatment of ACEs among MHPs.MethodsTen in-depth semi-structured virtual interviews were conducted with licensed MHPs from November 2021 to April 2022 in Houston, Texas. Interviews were coded and analyzed for emerging themes through an inductive open coding approach to discover insights regarding coping with ACEs during COVID-19.ResultsFour key themes experienced by individuals with ACEs emerged from the MHP interviews: (1) Maladaptive emotional dissonance and coping outlets during the pandemic, (2) Difficulties with social connectedness and significance of social support, (3) Heightened daily life stressors and coping with the ongoing disruption of the pandemic, and (4) Changing interactions with the mental health system. Themes from this study highlighted that resilience, seeking treatment, and strong social support can help develop healthy coping strategies among individuals with ACEs.ConclusionThis study may help inform best clinical practices to develop interventions and policies regarding ACEs such as a resilience-promotion approach that targets all the socio-ecological levels. In addition, findings highlight the synergy of psychotherapeutic and pharmacological management via tele-health modalities, in helping individuals with ACEs continue receiving the care they deserve and need during a persistent pandemic and an uncertain future.

Marital status and survival in cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

In recent years, authors have repeatedly reported on the significance of social support in cancer survival. Although overall the studies appear to be convincing, little is known about which types of social support promote better survival rates, and which subgroups of cancer patients are more susceptible to the benefits of it. The aim of this study was to identify, organize, and examine studies reporting on the significance of social support in cancer survival. The PubMed, CINAHL and EBSCO databases were searched using the keywords social support/marital status, cancer, and survival/mortality. Where possible we used a meta-analytical approach, specifically a random effect model, in order to combine the results of the hazard ratios in studies from which this information could be obtained. When interpreting clinical relevance, we used the number needed to treat (NNT). Better survival was observed in married patients when compared to unmarried (single, never-married, divorced/separated, and widowed) in overall and cancer-specific survival. Gender group differences showed that the association was statistically significant only in cancer-specific survival when comparing divorced/separated male and female cancer patients (p< 0.001), thus confirming results from the previous meta-analysis. Being unmarried is associated with significantly worse overall and cancer-specific survival. The most vulnerable group found in our study were divorced/separated men. The results of this review can motivate physicians, oncologists, and other healthcare professionals to be aware of the importance of patients' social support, especially in the identified sub-group.

Loneliness, Social Support, and Psychological Wellbeing Among Older Adults

Social support in old age has been linked to psychological wellbeing outcomes, such as depressive symptoms. However, insufficient attention has been paid to implications of social support for different domains of psychological wellbeing. In this study, we explored these associations among 797 older adults (mean age = 78.61 years) living in a retirement community in Florida from the ECRC study. Our findings show that measures of social support and connectedness have varying influences on psychological wellbeing. Loneliness was associated with lower life satisfaction (b=- -1.12, p<0.001) and higher depressive symptoms (b=3.52, p<0.001). Higher self-rated social support was associated with higher life satisfaction (b= 1.66, p<0.001) but did not predict depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms, however, were significantly higher (b=-1.45) among individuals who reported that they don’t have anyone who they can turn to if they feel lonely and want to talk. Feeling lonely also predicted lower positive affects among these older adults (b=-0.65, p<0.001). Similarly, loneliness also predicted higher negative affects (b=1.28, p<0.001). Negative affects were also significantly higher among women (b=-1.15, p<0.001) but lower among those who were living alone (b=-1.06, p<0.001). Overall, our findings underscore the importance of social support and connectedness for psychological wellbeing in later life. This finding is consistent with prior research demonstrating significance of social support in later life for the overall psychological wellbeing of the older adults.

Significance of social support to the self-esteem of the elderly in Pakistan

ABSTRACT Dignified and satisfying aging is a growing concern for individuals and policymakers across the world. The mechanism of aging reflects different psychological and physical changes over time. This research analyzes the implications of multifaceted life predictors for senior citizen’s self-esteem in Pakistan by examining the impact of socioeconomic status, social integration, general activities, and health in relation to the self-esteem of 312 retired senior citizens. Validated measures such as the Rosenberg Self-esteem Questionnaire and Bowling Quality of Life Questionnaire were used for data gathering. The results indicated that social integration was closely related to the self-esteem of the elderly.

Significance of Social Support Among Black Mental Health Counselors: The Role of Counselor Educators and Supervisors in Combating Race-Related Stress

In general, mental health counselors face unique challenges in their job roles because of the population that they work with. However, Black Americans who worked in predominately White workspaces perceived race-based discrimination to be a real issue. Perseverative cognition related to work can cause an increase in the individual’s need to recovery because it maintains work-related stressors that deplete the individual’s resources further. The repetitive thoughts can lead to anticipatory cognition or stress, which makes the individual hyperaware or vigilant due to thinking they may experience racial discrimination or a racial encounter. Social support has been used to buffer the adverse effects that are caused by racial encounters. Social support has shown to have an influence on mental health by buffering the effects of stressors. Participants were provided a survey that include three questionnaires to complete. The results showed that the overall models for the two analyses were significant. However, the moderators for the analyses were not significant.

Achievement Despite Adversity: A Qualitative Investigation of Undrafted National Hockey League Players

Adversity is viewed as both an inevitable and an important experience for elite athletes. The purpose of this study was to explore elite athletes’ perceptions of the experiences and characteristics that helped them overcome a shared sport-specific adversity. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 professional athletes (Mage = 27.25, SD = 3.28 yr) who had progressed to careers in the National Hockey League (NHL) despite not being selected in the annual amateur entry draft. Participants discussed their long-term objectives of playing in the NHL, previous experiences with adversity, certain psychological characteristics that facilitated their progression (e.g., competitiveness, passion, confidence), and the significance of social support as key factors that helped them overcome the initial and subsequent adversities associated with being unselected during the amateur entry draft. Practical implications and proposed avenues for future research are discussed in the context of the study’s limitations.

Spirituality as a coping mechanism for family caregivers of persons with aphasia

This study sought to describe spirituality resourcing of family caregivers for people with aphasia (PWA). A purposive sample of 14 female family caregivers of PWA from a historically disadvantaged South African community were participants (married = 42%; age range 21 to 65 years). They completed interviews regarding the spiritual support that they received when caring for their family member with aphasia. Thematic analysis of the data yielded findings to suggest spiritual interpretation of their experiences, importance of prayer as a source of hope and healing, and significance of social support from church fellowship. Spirituality is a resource for coping with the carer-role among community women with responsibility over family members with aphasia.

The Battle Continues: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the Experiences of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) Patients

The World Health Organization cites the Philippines as one of the countries worldwide that continues to have a high burden of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), with high rates of infected Filipinos. This study investigated the lived experiences of individuals with MDR-TB. Using a qualitative method, the study documented the experiences and meaning-making of eight Filipino adults aged 26–50 who were between the third and ninth month of directly observed treatment. Data from semi-structured interviews were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis that yielded five superordinate themes: (1) the recurrence of tuberculosis (TB) symptoms and the trauma of being diagnosed with MDR-TB; (2) experiences of confronting the reality of being infected with MDR-TB; (3) barriers to long-term treatment adherence; (4) significance of social support; and (5) coping with MDR-TB. These themes describe the subjective experiences of patients battling an infectious disease who were undergoing long-term outpatient treatment. The significance and implications of the findings toward a more comprehensive program of interventions for MDR-TB patients are discussed.

Trauma exposure and post‐traumatic stress disorder within fire and emergency services in Western Australia

ObjectiveWhile it is widely accepted that fire and emergency work is of high risk for potentially traumatic event exposure and post‐trauma pathology, there has been limited published data regarding Australian fire and emergency service workers. The relationship between trauma exposure and mental health outcomes, in particular the significance of social support and coping style was explored.MethodParticipants were 210 Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) career firefighters in Western Australia (WA). This study employed a cross‐sectional, correlational design, with a combination of self‐selection and random sampling.ResultsResults found that DFES career members were exposed to trauma at significantly higher rates than the general population and reported elevated rates of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology. Trauma exposure, social support, and coping style significantly contributed to variation in PTSD symptomatology, with maladaptive coping strategies accounting for more PTSD variance than adaptive coping.ConclusionsElevated rates of PTSD identify WA DFES members as a high risk population. There was evidence that trauma exposure, social support, and coping style significantly contributed to levels of PTSD symptomatology. Maladaptive coping strategies, such as distraction, substance use, venting and self‐blame, accounted for more variance in PTSD symptomatology than adaptive coping strategies, indicating that prevention or treatment interventions may be most effective by targeting reduction of maladaptive coping strategies, with a secondary focus on building adaptive coping strategies.

Secondary victimization and the collective identity of crime victims: a qualitative analysis of Swedish crime news discourse

This article presents an analysis of how secondary victims of murder—in this context, the parents or close family members of a primary murder victim—are represented in Swedish crime news discourse. The study is based on a discourse analysis of media coverage of secondary victims, and statements made by them, in relation to four highly publicized murder cases during the last two decades. The analysis shows that portrayals of secondary victimization reinforce the conflictual character of victim–offender relationships in the news, but also limit the conditions for talking about the significance of social support, mediation and reconciliation for crime victims. News representations of crime victims become less clearly marked by the characteristics of the ‘ideal’ victim as secondary victims, and persons who are explicitly critical toward the legal system, claim victimhood. Furthermore, the identity of the crime victims’ movement as a collective becomes destabilized when the category of the victim is widened to include individuals whose interests are framed as subjective, rather than related to the needs of other crime victims or the general public. In sum, increased media focus on secondary victims may thus undermine the legitimacy of victim claims in public discourse.

‘This is a forever project’: supporting lifestyle changes in a regional Queensland community-based cardiac rehabilitation program

Cardiac rehabilitation programs throughout the world have struggled for several years to attract more participants and facilitate behaviour changes in these clients. Over the past few years, there has been an increased level of attention in the role that self-efficacy and social support may play in this respect. The main aim of this study was to explore self-efficacy and social support within a regional, community-based cardiac rehabilitation program that does not adhere to traditional cardiac rehabilitation structures. Twelve participants were interviewed and two major themes emerged from the thematic analysis of the interview transcripts: making personal lifestyle changes; and supportive environment for lifestyle changes. Although this study is exploratory in nature, it has highlighted the significance of social support from within a program as opposed to participants' friends and family, the subject of most social-support research. It also contributes to the challenges others are starting to make regarding the limited timeframes associated with traditional cardiac rehabilitation programs, suggesting more time may be needed to build firmer psychosocial foundations for behaviour change after cardiac events.

The existential significance of social support: patients’ experiences after MI

This article presents findings from a study focusing on how myocardial infarction (MI) patients undergoing rehabilitation in an outpatient clinic view the role of family relationships in their daily lives. With a relational, person-oriented perspective on patients’ suffering and coping, the aim is to explore the existential significance of social support. The project design is qualitative, inspired by Ricoeur's reflective phenomenological approach, involving a naïve reading, a structural analysis, and a critical interpretation. The study shows that the patients try to keep their worries to themselves and they avoid talking to their close family about everyday existential life phenomena such as anxiety, loneliness and the balance between security and insecurity. Achieving harmony after MI involves a balance between feeling safe and insecure in order to satisfy the needs of their close family. This places the cardiac nurse as a catalyst for existential communication between the patient and the close family.

Aging with Long-term Physical Impairments: The Significance of Social Support

This article examines the living situations and access to social support for community-dwelling people between the ages of 50 and 65, and who have lived with significant physical impairment for more than 15 years. Data were gathered through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with eight men and women. Findings suggest that coping with long-term impairment may be a lonely experience when the individual lacks a strong network of family and/or friends to offer emotional support. Participants felt their experiences of aging with significant long-term impairment were improved when they shared thoughts, feelings, and problems with others. Findings also show the significance of gender regarding access to social support and point towards the importance of using subjective understanding when ascertaining the level of social support available to individuals. More generally, findings underscore the broader point that individuals aging with impairments are immersed in and wish to maintain reciprocal relationships.