Social Companionship Research Articles

"Phantom Friend" or "Just a Box with Information"

As voice-based conversational agents such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant move into our homes, researchers have studied the corresponding privacy implications, embeddedness in these complex social environments, and use by specific user groups. Yet it is unknown how users categorize these devices: are they thought of as just another object, like a toaster? As a social companion? Though past work hints to human-like attributes that are ported onto these devices, the anthropomorphization of voice assistants has not been studied in depth. Through a study deploying Amazon Echo Dot Devices in the homes of older adults, we provide a preliminary assessment of how individuals 1) perceive having social interactions with the voice agent, and 2) ontologically categorize the voice assistants. Our discussion contributes to an understanding of how well-developed theories of anthropomorphism apply to voice assistants, such as how the socioemotional context of the user (e.g., loneliness) drives increased anthropomorphism. We conclude with recommendations for designing voice assistants with the ontological category in mind, as well as implications for the design of technologies for social companionship for older adults.

Alcohol Use and Harm to Children by Parents and Other Adults.

This study used mixed methods to examine parent-reported harm to children (lack of supervision or physical harm) due to alcohol use by themselves or someone else as well as parent beliefs about alcohol, parenting, and harms to children. We conducted a cross-sectional general population survey of 1,599 parents who were primary caregivers to a child aged 10 or younger and follow-up interviews with 23 parents who responded "yes" to one of the questions about alcohol use causing harm their child. Survey data were analyzed using multilevel logistic models. Compared to abstainers, parents who drank at least once a year were less likely to report that someone else's drinking caused a lack of supervision or physical harm to their child. Higher continued volumes of drinking were related to fewer reports of not watching a child closely enough. Social companionship support (having people to go out with) was related to greater odds that a parent's drinking would cause physical harm to his or her child(ren). In the qualitative analysis, four relevant themes emerged: perceived effects of alcohol use, tangible support and child supervision, immediate and distal harm, and turning points in drinking behaviors.

Perspectives of people with aphasia post-stroke towards personal recovery and living successfully: A systematic review and thematic synthesis.

BackgroundThere is increased focus on supporting people with chronic conditions to live well via person-centred, integrated care. There is a growing body of qualitative literature examining the insider perspectives of people with post-stroke aphasia (PWA) on topics relating to personal recovery and living successfully (PR-LS). To date no synthesis has been conducted examining both internal and external, structural influences on living well. In this study, we aimed to advance theoretical understanding of how best to promote and support PR-LS by integrating the perspectives of PWA on a wide range of topics relating to PR-LS. This is essential for planning and delivering quality care.Methods and findingsWe conducted a systematic review, following PRISMA guidelines, and thematic synthesis. Following a search of 7 electronic databases, 31 articles were included and critically appraised using predetermined criteria. Inductive and iterative analysis generated 5 analytical themes about promoting PR-LS. Aphasia occurs in the context of a wider social network that provides valued support and social companionship and has its own need for formal support. PWA want to make a positive contribution to society. The participation of PWA is facilitated by enabling environments and opportunities. PWA benefit from access to a flexible, responsive, life-relevant range of services in the long-term post-stroke. Accessible information and collaborative interactions with aphasia-aware healthcare professionals empower PWA to take charge of their condition and to navigate the health system.ConclusionThe findings highlight the need to consider wider attitudinal and structural influences on living well. PR-LS are promoted via responsive, long-term support for PWA, friends and family, and opportunities to participate autonomously and contribute to the community. Shortcomings in the quality of the existing evidence base must be addressed in future studies to ensure that PWA are meaningfully included in research and service development initiatives.Systematic review registrationInternational Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews PROSPERO 2017: CRD42017056110.

Enhancing Problem- and Emotion-Focused Coping in Menopausal Women Through Yoga.

In varying degrees, all women experience menopause, the condition of infertility due to altered reproductive hormones. The menopausal transition includes three phases-perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause-each associated with physical and psychological symptoms that can negatively affect women's successful functioning in everyday life. In addition to conventional therapies intended to decrease the frequency and severity of symptoms, menopausal women are in need of coping mechanisms to assist in managing symptoms as they occur. Using a deductive approach, a secondary analysis of 12 individuals' qualitative journal entries and semi-structured interviews obtained from a mixed-methods embedded research study was conducted to determine whether data exist to support yoga as a means for coping as presented by Lazarus and Folkman's transactional theory of stress and coping and by Iwasaki and Mannell's leisure stress coping conceptual framework. Results indicate that yoga has the potential for serving as a coping mechanism for women between the ages of 40 and 65 who are experiencing menopause and want to improve their health and/or enhance their ability to manage life's stressors. More specifically, findings discussed in this article advocate yoga as being a leisure activity in which problem- and emotion-focused coping strategies can develop, including mechanisms necessary for palliative coping, mood enhancement, and social companionship. To the authors' knowledge, data reported in this manuscript are the first to support the conceptual framework of Crowe, Van Puymbroeck, and Schmid, aimed at explaining yoga as a viable leisure coping strategy. Additional research focused on the psychosocial benefits of yoga, including yoga as coping, is recommended.

Support, socialise and advocate: An exploration of the stated purposes of Facebook autism groups

With a rapidly growing global population of just over two billion users, Facebook has changed the way many people engage with each other. Whilst the autism community—autistic people, their families and carers, and their broader support network—are represented in this population there is limited research about how or why this community intends to use Facebook to connect and communicate. This exploratory study aimed to characterise the stated purposes of Facebook groups related to autism and their target membership. The terms autism, Asperger, ASD, Aspie, and wrong planet were used to search for Facebook groups. Using a content analysis, the group name, description, privacy status and member count of 500 autism groups on Facebook were examined. The groups had a combined membership of 905,655 English-speaking users and were created for support (60.4%), social companionship (16.4%), advocacy (15.8%), treatments (5.6%), sales (1.0%) and fundraising (0.8%). Most of the groups had a target membership of parents and families (57.4%), autistic people (23.4%), and women (10.4%). Many groups specified group etiquette (36.4%), or the geographic location of members (42.8%). Of the groups targeting autistic people, 77.8% used identity-first language, while 58.2% of groups targeting parents and families used person-first language. Separate and shared neuro-spaces appear to be negotiated within these Facebook groups and this could stimulate critical discussion around the autism community’s engagement with social media. These Facebook groups are designed to provide support to autistic people and their families and to provide social networking opportunities for autistic people.

The effects of service dogs on psychosocial health and wellbeing for individuals with physical disabilities or chronic conditions

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of service dogs on psychosocial health and indicators of wellbeing among individuals with physical disabilities or chronic conditions.Materials and methods: A total of 154 individuals participated in a cross-sectional survey including 97 placed with a mobility or medical service dog and 57 on the waitlist to receive one. Hierarchical regression evaluated the effect of having a service dog on standardized measures of psychosocial health (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory) as well as anger, companionship, and sleep disturbance (Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System). Among those with a service dog, the Monash Dog–Owner Relationship Scale quantified the human–animal bond.Results: Results indicated that compared to those on the waitlist, individuals with a service dog exhibited significantly better psychosocial health including higher social, emotional, and work/school functioning. There was no significant effect of having a service dog on anger, companionship, or sleep disturbance. Among those with a service dog, emotional closeness, dog–owner interaction, and amount of time since the service dog was placed were weak correlates of outcomes.Conclusions: Findings suggest that service dogs may have measurable effects on specific aspects of psychosocial health for individuals with physical disabilities or chronic conditions.Implications for rehabilitationHealth care providers should recognize that in addition to the functional benefits service dogs are trained to provide, they can also provide their handlers with psychosocial benefits from their assistance and companionship.Results indicate that having a service dog was related to better emotional functioning, social functioning, and work/school functioning. Areas with no significant relationship with having a service dog included social companionship, sleep, and anger.Although findings are from a large and representative sample of mobility and medical service dogs, there may be individual differences in how service dogs affect the psychosocial health of their handlers.

The Online Social Support Scale: Measure development and validation.

A new measure, the Online Social Support Scale, was developed based on previous theory, research, and measurement of in-person social support. It includes four subscales: Esteem/Emotional Support, Social Companionship, Informational Support, and Instrumental Support. In college and community samples, factor analytic and item response theory results suggest that subtypes of in-person social support also pertain in the online world. Evidence of reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity provide excellent psychometric support for the measure. Construct validity accrues to the measure vis-à-vis support for three hypotheses: (a) Various broad types of Internet platforms for social interactions are differentially associated with online social support and online victimization; (b) similar to in-person social support, online social support offsets the adverse effect of negative life events on self-esteem and depression-related outcome; and (c) online social support counteracts the effects of online victimization in much the same way that in-person friends in one social niche counterbalance rejection in other social niches. (PsycINFO Database Record

Social welfare of workers affected by a chronic lung disease

We try to verify if there are variables of social welfare able to differentiate chronically ill patients affected by asbestos poisoning from healthy people. We used the scale of Hahn, Cella, Bode and Hanharan, developed to measure the social welfare. After reviewing the literature we intend to verify first the psychometric properties of the previously mentioned scale by using a sample of patients affected, 110, as well as a comparison group of 70 people matched by age and gender blocks, who have been employees of the largest Spanish naval organization. The results indicate a very high reliability of the instrument, and a high concurrent validity of the questionnaire SCL-90. Next an Anova is performed obtaining that, contrary to expectations from the literature, only a variation occurs in three variables: negative social companionship, limitations, and satisfaction. This research opens the possibility for future research studying the age variable as a mediator of social welfare. Finally, the limitations of the study and possible future projects are discussed.

Understanding the Nature, Uses, and Gratifications of Social Television: Implications for Developing Viewer Engagement and Network Loyalty

This study employed an online survey (N = 310) to explore how viewers’ motivations for social TV participation influence their involvement in social TV activities, their program commitment, and network loyalty. Findings show that social infotainment and social companionship are the primary motivations of social TV participation. However, only social infotainment significantly predicts the intensity of viewers’ social TV usage, which has a positive influence on program commitment and network loyalty. Additionally, the relationship between social TV usage and network loyalty is partially mediated by program commitment. These findings demonstrate the value of social TV to broadcasters and provide directions for initiating and maintaining long-term relationships with viewers.

The life satisfaction of teachers at work place, research of structural equation modelling regarding general and organized cynicism

This research aims to determine both the predictive role and level of teachers’ life satisfaction, as well as general and organizational cynic perceptions in their workplace. The study sample was composed of 457 teachers who worked in the middle schools in the center and districts of Konya in 2016, who were randomly selected by group sampling. Analysis of the research data was conducted using the statistical program AMOS 18.0, according to structural equation modeling. In the research, loneliness in teachers’ professional lives was considered in two dimensions: as “emotional deprivation” and “social friendship.” According to the research findings, it is evident that organizational cynicism is the most important variable affecting teachers’ emotional deprivation and social companionship levels. The second most important variable affecting teachers' levels of emotional deprivation is general cynicism, while social companionship levels are more affected by life satisfaction. It is also seen that there is a negative relationship between the emotional deprivation and social friendship and life satisfaction variables. The results also demonstrate a slight but statistically significant relationship between the general cynicism and the social friendship levels of teachers.

Loneliness among Shift Workers: An Analysis through Organizational Culture, Interpersonal Communication and Dealing with Emotions

Web Finance Incorporation (2016) explains work shift as a work schedule in which a group of workers rotate through set periods of time. Shift work is well recognized in Customer Service and Hotel Industry. These shift employees often complain of emotional, psychological and physiological difficulties. Against this background, the objective of the present study was to analyze the differences between 160 Day and Night Shift employees (selected through non-probability sampling) working in Customer Service (n=80) and Hotel Industry (n=80).The study also aimed at identifying predictors of Loneliness at Workplace. The Organizational Culture Profile (Pareek, 2011), Interpersonal Communication Inventory (Bienvenu, 1971), Dealing with Emotions (Pareek, 2011) and Loneliness at Workplace (Wright, Burt & Strongman, 2006) were administered to measure the respective variables. The statistical analysis revealed a significant difference between Customer Service and Hotel Industry employees in terms of trust, authenticity, collaboration, experimentation, rumination and social companionship (p<0.05). Significant differences in openness, experimentation, coping with feelings, emotional deprivation and social companionship were observed between Day and Night Shift employees (p<0.05). Results further revealed that among Customer Service employees the major predictors of emotional deprivation were interpersonal communication, proaction and flow and of social companionship were interpersonal communication, proaction, self-expression and openness and among Hotel Industry employees the main predictors of emotional deprivation were proaction, rumination, experimentation, interpersonal communication and perceived acceptance and of social companionship were rumination, experimentation and clarity (p<0.05). The current study highlight the importance of organizational and interpersonal values, companies should promote and uphold in order to build healthy working conditions for their employees eventually culminating into their own success.

“I’ve got somebody there, someone cares”: what support is most valued following a stroke?

Purpose: There is often a need for increased support following a stroke. This study explored what types of support are provided by different network members and what support functions are most valued.Methods: Adults with first stroke were recruited from a stroke unit and participated in in-depth interviews 8–15 months poststroke. Framework Analysis was used to build thematic and explanatory accounts of the data.Results: Twenty-nine participants took part. Main themes to emerge were as follows: the spouse was the most important provider of support; children were a relatively stable source of support, although many participants expressed reservations about worrying a child; relatives and friends typically provided social companionship and emotional support rather than on-going practical support. The only universally valued support function was the sense that someone was concerned and cared. Other valued functions were as follows: social companionship including everyday social “chit chat”; practical support provided sensitively; and, for many, sharing worries and sensitive encouragement. The manner and context in which support was provided was important: support was easiest to receive when it communicated concern, and was part of a reciprocal, caring relationship.Conclusions: As well as measuring supportive acts, researchers and clinicians should consider the manner and context of support.Implications for rehabilitationThe manner in which support was provided mattered: support was easier to receive when it communicated concern.The spouse was the most important source of all support functions; children, relatives and friends were important providers of emotional and social companionship support.Researchers and clinicians should not only focus on what support is received, but also the context (e.g., contribution, reciprocity, quality of relationship) and manner (e.g., responsiveness, sensitivity) of the support.

Expatriate contact with a local host: an intervention to increase social support

ABSTRACTSocial capital is a crucial factor for expatriates to employ as they cope with the demands of an international assignment. This longitudinal study used a mixed method approach to examine the social support benefits of expatriate contact with a local host. Western expatriates in the Netherlands were randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group (n = 33), that had contact with a Dutch host during 9 months, and a control group (n = 32) with no host. Qualitative methods such as interviews and diaries were included to shed light on the various types of social support that occurred. Results show that local hosts offered all four types of social support: social companionship, informational support, emotional support, and instrumental support. Furthermore, expatriates with a host increased their social capital; they received significantly more social support from host nationals than did those without a host. This study shows that HRD professionals may develop the social capital of expatriates by bringing them into contact with a local host, which can produce more social support from host nationals. Increased social capital may lead to a higher performance at both the individual and organisational levels.

Match between culture and social support: Acculturation moderates the relationship between social support and well-being of Chinese American breast cancer survivors

Social support does not always lead to health benefits; the outcomes depend on the match between the need and the provision of social support. Culture shapes individuals' preference of social support types (e.g., supportive communication, social companionship, and tangible support). The present study examined how the association between social support and well-being may vary as a function of acculturation among minority cancer survivors. One hundred and twenty-three Chinese American breast cancer survivors were invited to complete a questionnaire package. Findings showed that acculturation moderated the association of social support subtypes with psychological and physical well-being. Higher emotional/information support was associated with better quality of life and less physical symptoms among highly acculturated cancer survivors but more physical symptoms among those who were less acculturated. Tangible support was associated with more physical symptoms among highly acculturated cancer survivors but less physical symptoms among those who are less acculturated. Positive social interaction was associated with better quality of life and less physical symptoms among less acculturated cancer survivors but not associated with quality of life or physical symptoms among their highly acculturated counterparts. The findings pointed to the significance of acculturation in breast cancer experience among minority women, especially its interplay with social support transactions.

When does inter-cat communication become inter-cat aggression?

Cats are rapidly catching up with dogs as the UK's favourite companion animal, yet the majority of cat owners continue to be unaware of the cat's welfare needs. This lack of owner understanding can lead to owners assuming that the cat's needs — particularly for social companionship — are similar to their own, leading owners to seek feline companions for their cats. This article considers the cat's capacity for intra-specific relationships and gives an over-view of the purpose of the cat's communication system and the significance of, and subtlety of, aggression within the cat's communication repertoire.

Social support received by women with intellectual and developmental disabilities during pregnancy and childbirth: An exploratory qualitative study

Objectivethis study aims to contribute to the development of a conceptual framework that will inform maternity care improvements for expectant mothers with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) by exploring the structure, functions, and perceived quality of social support received by women with IDD during pregnancy and childbirth. Design/settingusing a grounded theory approach, we conducted an exploratory study set in Ontario, Canada in 2015. Participantsthe sample included four adult women with IDD who had given birth in the last five years. Measurementsdata were collected using semi-structured interviews. Findingsthe structure of social support received by women with IDD consisted of both formal and informal sources, but few or no friendships. Women with IDD reported high levels of informational and instrumental support and low levels of emotional support and social companionship. However, a high level of available support was not always perceived as beneficial. Emergent core categories suggest that social support is perceived as most effective when three conditions are met: (1) support is accessible, (2) support is provided by individuals expressing positive attitudes towards the pregnancy, and (3) autonomy is valued. Key conclusions and implications for practiceour study confirms and identifies important gaps in the social support received by expectant mothers with IDD. Women with IDD currently lack accessible informational support, emotional support, and social companionship during pregnancy and childbirth. Additional findings regarding the structure and functions of social support are presented, and a preliminary conceptual framework of effective social support during pregnancy and childbirth, as perceived by women with IDD is also proposed. Findings suggest that increasing support accessibility should be a social and clinical priority; however, maternity care providers should be aware of stigmatizing attitudes and respect the autonomy of pregnant women with IDD as they prepare for motherhood.

International Students’ Perspectives on the Importance of Obtaining Social Support from Host National Students

<p class="apa">Students pursuing studies in a foreign land experience a disruption or loss of familiar support networks that function as powerful coping mechanisms in times of stress. Loss of social support has been associated with negative consequences such as depression, anxiety and loneliness. Researchers have categorized social support as emotional, practical, informational and in the form of social companionship. This study reports the findings of a study involving undergraduate international students pursuing their first degrees in four research universities in Malaysia. Using the quantitative methodology, a total of 400 questionnaires were distributed to international undergraduates with a return of 318 questionnaires. Results showed that many international students desired frequent social support from host national students in all four categories. Suggestions are made to institutions of higher learning to create a more supportive and conducive environment for intercultural contact in line with the efforts of internationalization.</p>

Landline and mobile phone communication in social companionship networks of older adults: An empirical investigation in Slovenia

Although the number of older adults with access to landline and mobile phones has grown in recent years, little research exists that investigates how older adults use and potentially combine the two technologies for communication with the members of their social support networks. Therefore, this study explored how the composition of older adults' social companionship networks is related to the frequency of landline and mobile phone communication with their network members. In addition, the study examined the association between landline and mobile phone communication as well as their relationship with in-person communication in such networks. The survey data were gathered using an ego-centered social support approach in a nationwide representative sample of retired older adults in Slovenia. The results of multiple regression analyses revealed that the composition of a social companionship network better predicts the frequency of landline rather than mobile phone communication of older adults with their network members. The non-significant relationship between the frequency of landline and mobile phone communication suggested that the two technologies very likely have a different role in the maintenance of social companionship networks. The study also found a difference between the importance of control variables related to the socio-demographic characteristics of older adults for the frequency of landline and mobile phone communication. While age, education, and living alone significantly predicted the frequency of mobile communication with older adults' network members, significant predictors of their landline communication included gender and health impairments.

Responsiveness of beef cattle (Bos taurus) to human approach, novelty, social isolation, restraint and trade-offs between feeding and social companionship.

This study investigated responsiveness of beef cattle to various environmental stimuli by subjecting 15-16 Japanese Black cows to five tests repeated twice. Within individual behavioral measures, cows were moderately (repeatability = 0.54-0.70) or highly (repeatability = 0.74-0.89) consistent in flight distance during grazing and resting in the human approach tests, maximum distance from the group pen and the number of total and different feed tub visits in the feeding-sociability trade-off test, and unwillingness to enter the restraint, movement under restraint and flight speed after release from restraint in the social isolation and restraint test. By contrast, cows were not consistent in the latency to make the first contact and the number of contacts with novel object(s) in the novelty test (repeatability = 0.24-0.39). Across behavioral measures in different tests, cows showed no consistency (P ≥ 0.05) in any combinations of measures from the two human approach tests, the trade-off test and the social isolation and restraint test. In conclusion, human approach (particularly during resting), feeding-sociability trade-off and social isolation and restraint situations can be used for evaluating personality in Japanese Black cows, while the value of the novelty test needs to be reexamined.

Perceived social support in Iranian older adults: A qualitative study

ABSTRACTGiven the substantial effect of perceived social support on older adults' health, this study addressed how Iranian older adults understood and experienced the concept of perceived social support. This study used directed content analysis of semistructured interviews with 18 community-dwelling older adults living in different zones of Tehran. The participants stressed the importance of access to a variety of support from family and friends (especially children)—including emotional, practical, informational and social companionship—despite some conflicts in their relationships. The importance of spiritual support was also stressed. The majority of the participants expressed satisfaction with their available support and wished they could provide their close people, especially their children, with emotional, providing, and practical support. Researchers and health policy-makers in the Middle Eastern countries can use these findings to be more familiar with the concept of perceived social support and to develop appropriate interventions to improve support systems.