Social Support For Individuals Research Articles

Investigating the Economic Burden and Social Support in Individuals With Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: A Scoping Review

Investigating the Economic Burden and Social Support in Individuals With Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: A Scoping Review

Social support in older adults: Validation and norm values of a brief form of the Perceived Social Support Questionnaire (F-SozU K-6).

Social relations are crucial for maintaining physical and mental health across the life span. As social roles, networks and needs change with age a valid assessment of social support in older adults and age-specific norms are necessary. The present work aims to [1) assess the level of social support in individuals > 60 years of the general German population, [2) evaluate the brief six-item form of the Perceived Social Support Questionnaire (F-SozU K-6) in this age group and to [3) provide age-specific norm values. We analyze data of N = 706 people representative for the German population collected in 2021. To assess social support, we used the F-SozU K-6. We tested for selectivity, item difficulty, internal consistency, construct and factor validity, as well as factorial invariance. Additionally, we assessed correlations and associations with depression, loneliness, and sociodemographic factors. Furthermore, we reported norm values for respondents > 60 years. Participants > 60 years reported a mean level of 23.97 (SD = 4.82) of social support. Results of the CFA confirmed a very good model fit. Measurement invariance across sex and age was shown. Associations with ADS and LS-S supported construct validity. Multiple regression analysis showed that female sex, increasing age, having a partner, and a higher equivalized household income were associated with higher levels of social support. The F-SozU K-6 is a reliable and economical tool to assess perceived social support in older adults. Norm values for individual > 60 years are provided.

Real-world predictors of divorce among outpatients with bipolar disorder: sex differences and clinical implications

BackgroundBipolar disorder is a mental illness characterized by recurring episodes of mania and depression and is known to cause social impairment. Additionally, it has been revealed that bipolar disorder increases the risk of divorce and loss of family member support, which can worsen the prognosis. However, there is limited evidence regarding the predictive factors of divorce among patients with bipolar disorder in real-world settings.MethodsThis study utilized an observational approach and involved psychiatrists from 176 member clinics of the Japanese Association of Neuro-Psychiatric Clinics. They were requested to conduct a retrospective review of medical records and complete a questionnaire focused on patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The data collection period for baseline patient characteristics spanned from September to October 2017. Next, we investigated the incidence of divorce over a 2-year period, ranging from baseline to September to October 2019.ResultsA total of 1071 outpatients with bipolar disorder were included in the analysis, and 2.8% (30/1071) experienced divorce during the first 2 years of observation. The incidence of divorce in this population was considerably higher than that in the general Japanese population. Binomial logistic regression analysis confirmed that a younger baseline age and lower BMI values were statistically significant predictors of divorce occurrence for all study participants. The predictors of divorce were then examined separately by sex. The results revealed that for men, a younger age at baseline and having bipolar I disorder compared to bipolar II disorder were statistically significant predictors of divorce. In contrast, for women, having a lower BMI and using anxiolytics emerged as statistically significant predictors of divorce.ConclusionsIn this study, a younger baseline age and lower BMI values were statistically significant predictors of divorce in patients with bipolar disorder. Notably, the predictors of divorce varied significantly between men and women. These findings provide important insights from a family perspective regarding social support for individuals with bipolar disorder in real-world clinical settings.

Loneliness and depression in older adults with multimorbidity: the role of self-efficacy and social support.

As relatively little is known about self-efficacy and social support in individuals aged 65 years and older and whether they are facing a decline in life due to multimorbidity and previous COVID-19 infection, this study investigated hypotheses based on Social Cognitive Theory. It was tested whether depressive symptoms in multimorbid patients who were hospitalized for COVID-19 infection, and recover post infection during their hospital stay, do not differ from those of multimorbid patients hospitalized for other conditions. Furthermore, we tested whether depressive symptoms are associated with increased loneliness scores, low self-efficacy beliefs, and poorly perceived social support. Additionally, it was investigated whether self-efficacy is a mediator variable, and social support is a moderator variable between loneliness and depression. N = 135 patients with or without previous COVID-19 infection (mean age 64.76) were recruited. Paper questionnaires were collected at the time of inpatient hospital admission in the year 2021 and in a cross-sectional study design. The study compared n = 45 multimorbid patients who survived COVID-19 infection with those n = 90 who were not infected before. No significant difference in depressive symptomology between these two groups revealed [t(133) = 130, p = 0.90, d = 0.024); F(3, 122) = 0.255, p = 0.86]. The study found a positive correlation between loneliness and anxiety and depression in both groups (rdepression = 0.419 and ranxiety = 0.496). Self-efficacy mediated the relation between loneliness and depression. The completely standardized indirect effect was β = 0.111, percentile Bootstrap 95% CI 0.027-0.201. The research findings suggest the importance of self-efficacy, and loneliness in the development of depressive symptoms, and have several practical implications for improving the mental health of multimorbid patients: Prospectively, treatment should not only focus on physical and cognitive health, but also on promoting self-efficacy and perceived social support, as well as address loneliness with psychoeducational interventions. Replication of the findings and conducting interventional research also employing lifestyle components should follow up, as this study tested associations but no causal relationships.

Social Cognition and Other Determinants of Perceived Social Support in Individuals With Serious Mental Illness.

Social support provides protective effects for those with serious mental illness (SMI), but these effects may be attenuated by factors that hinder positive perceptions of support. Improved understanding of social support and its determinants may hold relevance for clinical interventions and provide avenues to promote recovery and improve functioning. The present study is a cross-sectional, correlational analysis investigating the relationships among social cognition (Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test-Managing Emotions subscale), social anxiety (Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale), negative symptoms (Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms), and perceived social support (Interpersonal Support Evaluation List) among individuals with SMI. Data were analyzed for 59 participants from a psychosocial rehabilitation treatment study at a public, urban academic-affiliated medical center in the Midwest. Bivariate Pearson correlations revealed statistically significant associations among perceived social support and social cognition (total perceived social support, p < 0.05; appraisal support, p < 0.01), negative symptoms (appraisal support, p < 0.05), and social anxiety (self-esteem support, p < 0.05). Further, multiple linear regression revealed social cognition remained a significant predictor of perceived social support ( p < 0.05) when controlling for social anxiety and negative symptoms. Overall findings suggest a correlative relationship between social cognition and perceived social support. Conclusions, limitations, and future directions are discussed.

Gaps in awareness and practice of healthy lifestyles among individuals at high risk of colorectal cancer: A qualitative evidence synthesis.

To systematically examine and review relevant qualitative studies exploring the current lifestyle among individuals at high risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), and their awareness of the role of a healthy lifestyle in CRC prevention. The increasing incidence and mortality of CRC have presented a serious threat against the health and life of people. As the major population affected by CRC, the lifestyle of individuals at a high risk of CRC is attracting increasing attention. A qualitative evidence synthesis using the Thomas and Harden method and the PRISMA 2020 checklist provided by the EQUATOR network were used. Literature was retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Embase, CINAHL and PsycINFO from the inception to December 2021. Two reviewers independently screened the titles and abstracts and identified the eligible studies. Critical appraisals of each included study were performed. Thematic analysis was used to guide the data synthesis. The data from nine articles were analysed. Three interpretive themes were extracted that formed an overarching synthesis of the experience with healthy lifestyles among high-risk individuals of CRC. The findings suggested that these individuals with limited awareness of CRC and personal risks lacked sufficient knowledge about the relationship between lifestyle and CRC, and their attitudes and practices towards the role of a healthy lifestyle in CRC prevention were also diversified. Professionals can potentially provide personalised guidance for healthy lifestyles based on knowledge of prevention, the actual background and social support of individuals at high risk of CRC. Considering that knowledge gaps and health beliefs among these individuals are the premise blocking their adoption of a healthy lifestyle, the findings of this review may make contributions to the design and content of public health policy and prevention programs. No patient or public contribution.

The Impact of religiosity/spirituality on slowing the progression of substance use: Based on the National Epidemiological Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC-III).

Religiosity has been suggested to be protective against substance use disorder (SUD) initiation but its impact of the progression of development is not known. This study investigated the impact of religiosity/spirituality on the development of heavy use and SUD following substance use initiation (alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco) utilizing data from the 2012 to 2013 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III. Individuals with a known age at onset of substance initiation were included (n = 30,590, n = 11,126, and n = 14,083; for alcohol, cannabis, or tobacco users, respectively). Religiosity was measured by importance of religious/spiritual beliefs and frequency of religious service attendance. The percentage of individuals who progressed to an SUD after substance initiation in each substance was estimated. Discrete-time analysis and survival analysis were used to measure the impact of religiosity on the progression from substance initiation to heavy use and from heavy use to SUD. After controlling for various variables, religious services attendance frequency was statistically associated with a slower progression from substance initiation to heavy use for all three substances: tobacco by 8% to 15%, cannabis by 5% to 26%, and alcohol 9% (p ⩽ .01). Religious importance was associated with slower progression to heavy use in cannabis users by 16% to 21% (p ⩽ .02). Religiosity (believes and attendance) was associated with slowed progression from heavy use to SUD development in alcohol users only. The findings illustrate strongest association between attending religious services and lower probabilities of progressing to heavy/daily use after substance use initiation for alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis users. This indicates the potential use of religious services as social support for individuals with risky substance use.

Assessing perceived emotional social support in individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder: The multisource emotional support inventory

Assessing perceived emotional social support in individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder: The multisource emotional support inventory

Perceived Social Support and Attitude towards Modernization among Performing Arts Students

Abstract Background: The effect of modernization can be different aspects of a person`s life. Modernization has been seen through education, communication and social support of individuals in the community. Young adults especially college students approach modernization from experiences during the academic period. Aim: To study the perceived social support and attitude towards modernization among performing arts students. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among college students of Indira Kala Sangit Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh, Chhattisgarh, India. A total of 540 students were selected for the study through the enumeration method. Students were assessed through the semi-structured socio-demographic datasheet, the modernization scale, and multidimensional scale of perceived social support. Results: Perceived social support found a significant positive correlation with attitude towards modernization. In regression analysis, overall perceived social support (family, friend and other support) strongly contributes to the variance on attitude towards modernization among performing arts students. Family support, other support, overall perceived social support and attitude towards modernization were more in female as compared to male with performing arts students. Conclusions: Perceived social support strongly contributes and positive significant correlation to the variance on attitude towards modernization.

Personality modifies the effect of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and society support on depression-anxiety-stress in the residents undergone catastrophic flooding in Henan, China

To analyze the impact of the flood disasters, social support and personality on the mental health of residents in Henan Province, China, providing fundamental knowledges for making measuring strategies to improve the psychological protection and anti-stress ability of the residents after the disaster. A cross-section study was conducted via an online survey platform "questionnaire star," which included 572 residents in Henan Province, which underwent the history of ever flood disaster on July 20. The questionnaires of Impact of Event Scale-Revised Edition (IES-R), Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) and the scales of Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised (EPQ-R) version in Chinese were also administered to each participant. Generalized linear regression model was performed. The residents who live in the flooding areas, are male and married had a significantly higher post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) score than their counterparts. The scores of depression-anxiety-stress in the residents with stable emotion were significantly lower than those with unstable emotion (p < 0.001). Machine learning showed that PTSD ranked the top risk factor, followed by neuroticism for Depression-Anxiety-Stress after disaster. The PTSD was negatively correlated with social support (p < 0.01), while it was positively correlated with depression-anxiety-stress and emotional stability (p < 0.01). There was a statistically significant interaction between PTSD, social support and neuroticism on depression-anxiety-stress (p < 0.001), with an independent effect of 1.4% on depression-anxiety-stress. Emotional stability showed the largest association with depression-anxiety-stress. Residents living in the catastrophic flooding areas had significant post-traumatic mental health issues, and the severity of mental problems was differently affected by post-traumatic stress disorder and social support in individuals with different personalities. Introvert and PTSD were the major risk factors for depression-anxiety-stress after the disaster. Med Pr. 2022;73(4):305-14.

Social support as a mediator in the relationship between perceived stress and nomophobia: An Investigation among Malaysian university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study examined the mediating role of social support in the relationship between perceived stress and nomophobia among Malaysian university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted with N = 547 university students. Participants answered a self-administered questionnaire measuring nomophobia, social support, and perceived stress. Exploratory analyses were conducted using partial least square structural equation modelling. We found that perceived stress was positively associated with nomophobia during the COVID-19 pandemic, whilst social support partially mediated the relationship between perceived stress and nomophobia. The results of this study indicated that stress may be buffered by social support in individuals with higher levels of nomophobia.

Current status and influential factors for family health management during quarantine: A latent category analysis

ObjectiveWe aimed to explore factors affecting family health management during home quarantine as well as the effects of variations in family health management (FHM) on individuals’ health status.MethodsUsing stratified random sampling, 618 families in Wuhan as well as cities within its surrounding provinces were recruited and surveyed online. Latent class variables were extracted from four modules: disinfection, space layout, physical exercise, and food reserves. The analysis was conducted using the poLCA package in R software (v.4.1.0). Chi-squared tests, Fisher’s exact tests, and non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to compare groups as appropriate.ResultsWe found an overall questionnaire reliability of 0.77 and a total omega of 0.92, indicating that the survey results were credible. The Bayesian information criterion and Akaike information criterion were used to identified four latent class variables, namely latent non-family health management (18.9%) and latent low, medium, and advanced FHM (30.93%, 29.49%, and 20.59%, respectively). Gender, household income level, body mass index, the presence of a nearby community hospital, and self-rated health status showed statistically significant differences with respect to latent FHM. Moreover, we found a statistically significant difference in emotional reactions when comparing latent advanced and low to mid-level latent FHM. Compared with latent non-family health managers, we detected statistically significant differences in individual energy levels between potential family health managers at latent low and medium levels. Additionally, we found statistically significant differences in individual energy levels between latent advanced and low level family health managers.ConclusionsWe found that multiple factors, including gender, household income, and body mass index, were correlated with latent FHM during home quarantine. We conclude that FHM can meaningfully improve individuals’ health. Thus, increasing social support for individuals can improve FHM as well as individuals’ health during home quarantine.

Impact of Academic Support on Anxiety and Depression of Chinese Graduate Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Mediating Role of Academic Performance.

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic broke out and has spread globally since 2019. It became a public health concern. This pandemic has brought tremendous changes in students’ lives and modes of learning. Graduate students are likely to be more affected as they are a part of a special training program. According to the main-effect model, social support has a positive effect on mental health. The pandemic has exerted a negative impact on the social support of individuals, and as a result, the behavior of a person is more likely to be at risk and has resulted in psychological crisis in people/individuals.MethodsA sample of 3137 graduate students responded to the instrument developed to assess the impact of the pandemic on the academic activities and performance, Self-rating Anxiety Scale and Self-rating Depression Scale.ResultsThe results showed that: 1) the pandemic impacted the academic support and performance of graduate students in varying degrees, 21% of graduate students experienced anxiety, and 33.9% of graduate students experienced depressive symptoms in varying degrees; 2) academic support variables (ie, academic exchange with mentors and peers) and academic performance variables (ie, data collection and thesis writing) were significantly associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms; 3) the model fitted the data well (RMSEA = 0.029; SRMR = 0.014; TLI = 0.99; CFI = 0.996). The direct effects of academic support on anxiety and depressive symptoms were significant. The impact on academic performance played a mediating role between the impact on academic support, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.DiscussionAcademic support significantly affected academic performance, which in turn affected anxiety and depressive symptoms. So, it implies that, due to the pandemic, the academic support for graduate students had decreased, resulting in deterioration in academic performance, causing anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Fatigue, Social Support, and Depression in Individuals With Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Given that approximately one-third of individuals with coronary artery disease (CAD) remain severely fatigued after completion the cardiac rehabilitation, it is necessary to identify reliable intervention targets aimed at reducing fatigue. Perceived social support is closely linked to health outcomes and depressive symptoms in individuals with CAD. However, to our knowledge, the relationship between subjective fatigue levels and social support in those with CAD has not been analyzed. Objective: We aimed to examine the associations between perceived social support and subjective fatigue levels in individuals with CAD with and without depression symptoms. Methods: This cross-sectional study was comprised of 1,036 participants with CAD (57±9years, 77% men) 1–2weeks after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Participants completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS), Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20 (MFI-20), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Results: In total, 12% (n=129) of study participants had elevated depression symptoms (HADS score≥8). In individuals with CAD and depressive symptoms, after adjustment for sex, age, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, and anxiety, linear regression analyses showed significant inverse associations between higher social support from others and general, physical fatigue as well as reduced activity and motivation (p<0.001). Following the same method of statistical analysis and control in non-depressed individuals with CAD (88%), social support from family was inversely linked to mental fatigue (p’s<0.05). Similarly, social support from friends was significantly associated with lower general, physical, and mental fatigue as well as reduced activity, while social support from others was significantly associated with lower general and mental fatigue (p’s<0.001). The overall higher total support was linked with reduced motivation (p<0.05) in the depressed study participants, while there was lower general and mental fatigue (p<0.05) in non-depressed individuals. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that fatigue and its features could be associated by the perceived social support in individuals with CAD following ACSs. While in individuals with CAD and depressive symptoms, greater subjective fatigue is associated with less perceived social support from others, higher levels of subjective fatigue in non-depressed individuals with CAD are significantly associated with reduced perceived social support from friends.

Depression, Social Support, and Coping Strategies in Individuals with Spinal Injury Depression with Spinal Injury Patients

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of and factors associated with depression, the social support received by, and the coping strategies used by individuals with spinal injury. Materials and Methods: Individuals with spinal injury who received follow-up evaluation at the Siriraj Hospital during 2016 to 2018. The instruments used included a general information, the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (Thai version), the Social Provisions Scale, and the Spinal Cord Lesion-Related Coping Strategies Questionnaire (Thai version). Results: Eighty-six individuals with spinal injury (age: 43.1±15.7 years, 66.3% male) were included, and 59.3% had some level of permanent impairment. The prevalence of depression was 55.8%. Depression was found to be negatively associated with all social support domains. Regarding coping, depression was shown to be negatively associated with the fighting spirit, but positively associated with the social reliance strategy. Multivariate analysis by multiple logistic regression showed level of impairment (p=0.005), guidance provision (p=0.040), fighting spirit strategy (p=0.031), and the social reliance strategy (p=0.032) to be independently associated with depression. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression among SCI was 55.8%. The results revealed the types of social support received, and the coping strategies used by individuals with spinal injury after hospital discharge. These findings can be implemented in an intervention to reduce depression among the individuals with spinal injury such as the promotion of the guidance provision which is provided by the professionals and the arrangement of a counseling psychology workshop focusing on effective coping strategy, especially for individuals with paraplegia and tetraplegia.

Gender Dysphoria and Perceived Social Support: A Matched Case-Control Study

BackgroundIn people diagnosed with Gender Dysphoria (GD), low perceived social support from their families and society has been suggested to be associated with poor quality of life and mental well-being. AimTo compare the perceived social support in individuals with GD with that in individuals without GD matched for age and gender. MethodsThe study group (n = 50) consisted of individuals diagnosed with GD via psychiatric evaluation. A control group (n = 50) was created by matching volunteers without GD by age and gender. Sociodemographic data form, Structured Clinical Interview Form for DSM-IV TR Axis I Disorders (SCID-I), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were used to gather data from participants. Outcomescomparing the perceived social support, the total and subscale MSPSS scores of groups were calculated. ResultsThe presence of at least 1 psychiatric disorder was significantly higher in the GD group than in the control group, either lifetime or during evaluation (P < .001 and P = .025, respectively). The total MSPSS and family support subscale scores were found to be significantly lower in the GD group than in the control group (P = .001 and P ≤ .001, respectively). When the groups formed on the basis of gender identity (32 trans men vs 32 cis men and 18 trans women vs 18 cis women) were compared, only the family support subscale score was found to be lower in trans men than cis men (P = .005). In addition, comparisons within the groups formed based on sex assigned-at-birth revealed lower total, friend, and family support in those assigned female-at-birth and lower total and family support in those assigned male-at-birth in the GD group. A multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the presence of GD was significantly associated with total and family support MSPSS subscale scores. Clinical ImplicationsThe findings show that perceived social support in people diagnosed with GD is lower, even when the presence of psychiatric disorders is included in the analysis. Strengths and LimitationsThe matched case-control design was the major study strength, whereas the sample size was the major limitation. ConclusionClinical care of people diagnosed with GD should include the evaluation of diverse sources of social support, efforts to strengthen family and friend support, maintenance of interpersonal relationships, and support of mental well-being.Kaptan S, Cesur E, Başar K, et al. Gender Dysphoria and Perceived Social Support: A Matched Case-Control Study. J Sex Med 2021;18:812–820.

Personality Traits, Psychological Needs, and Social Support Among Suicide Attempters

Suicide is a self-destructive behavior and social support can be of utmost importance in preventing it. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between personality traits, psychological needs, and perceived social support in individuals with self-harm behaviors in 2017. This study was performed as a cross-sectional study with participation of 115 suicide attempters by poisoning selected via convenience sampling method. The NEO Personality Inventory, the Basic Needs Satisfaction Scale, and the Social Support Questionnaire were used to collect the required data, which were then analyzed using SPSS Statistics. The findings revealed a significant relationship between personality traits, psychological needs, and perceived social support in suicide attempters by intentional poisoning. Some of the personality traits, perceived social support status, and satisfaction with basic psychological needs were important risk factors affecting suicide attempts by intentional poisoning.

“She is more about my illness than me”: a qualitative study exploring social support in individuals with experiences of psychosis

ABSTRACT Experiences of psychosis may increase isolation and stigma, increasing negative perceptions of oneself. Social networks can be a source of support and strain in dealing with these difficulties. This research explored how individuals with experiences of psychosis make sense of their social relationships. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis guided the design and conduct of semi-structured interviews with seven Scottish mental health service-users with lived experience of psychosis, exploring positive and negative aspects of relationships and how they influenced personal recovery. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and coded for subordinate and superordinate themes. The superordinate theme “She is more about my illness than me” highlighted normalisation of participants’ illness identity through family and support staff dominating social networks; their primary orientation being towards illness management. Subordinate themes; “without the service I wouldn’t know what to do”, “They wouldn’t talk, they will sort of control me in a way” and “She doesn’t see me as normal either with me getting help” evidenced benefits and tensions associated with these relationships. The composition and nature of social networks can prevent individuals with experiences of psychosis from exploring identities unrelated to illness. Further research must identify ways to empower individuals and promote connectedness independently from illness management.

Perceived Social Support in Individuals With Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Cross-sectional Survey

Perceived Social Support in Individuals With Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Cross-sectional Survey

Perceived Social Support in Individuals With Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Cross-sectional Survey.

Explore levels of perceived social support and the associated factors among patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Cross-sectional survey. Outpatients (n = 140) with DFUs attending a diabetic clinic affiliated with a public hospital in Athens, Greece, for wound care and follow-up visits after healing. Data collection included demographic, clinical, self-report, and perceived social support, measured with the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), during one-on-one interviews at the post-healing follow-up visit. For perceived social support, 50% of patients (average age 70 years) scored above 24, 24, and 18 (median) on the MSPSS in the categories of receiving support from significant other, family, and friends, respectively, suggesting high levels of perceived social support. Other statistically significant associations were observed for perceived social support from significant other, family, and friends and marital status (P = .001, P = .001, and P = .004, respectively), patients level of information about their health (P =.002, P =.001, and P =.001, respectively), family level of information (P = .001, P = .001, and P = .004, respectively), and how closely they followed period foot checks (P = .001, P = .002, and P = .011, respectively) and diet (P = .001, P = .001, and P = .001, respectively). Data from our study show that higher levels of perceived social support from significant others, family, and friends were linked to patients and others, being better informed about health status, and other self-care behaviors. Findings underscore the need for health care providers to recognize that social support is an important component of overall DFU management and may guide future interventions to determine which are most effective in enhancing socially supportive behaviors.