Social Support In Older Adults Research Articles

Extra-individual sources of social support as described by adults with mild intellectual disabilities.

The extra-individual social support responses provided by adults with intellectual disabilities on a social support survey were examined. Felton and Berry (1992) argued that extra-individual social support, support from larger than individual entities, is a valid source of social support for older adults. We hypothesized that extra-individual support would also be relevant to adults with intellectual disabilities. Results showed that 43% of participants with intellectual disabilities listed extra-individual support sources in their social networks or as providers of one of several support functions. The most popular forms of extra-individual support were those from "staff" and "work." Findings are discussed in terms of implications for social support measurement for persons with intellectual disabilities.

The role of neuroticism and social support in older adults with chronic pain behavior

The current investigation ascertains the role of Neuroticism and satisfaction with social support on pain behavior in the older patient with chronic pain. Forty-seven patients with chronic pain (mean age of 65.3 years) participated in the study. Measures included a Neuroticism score, a satisfaction with social support score, and a quantifiable score of pain behaviors. A multiple regression analysis was performed with Neuroticism and social support satisfaction as predictors and pain behaviors as the criterion. The analysis indicated that the personality facet of Neuroticism was a significant predictor of observable pain behavior in the older adult. There was no significant relationship between satisfaction with social support and pain behavior. Further, there was no interaction between Neuroticism and social support on pain behaviors. The current investigation supports the contention that Neuroticism is related to behavioral manifestations of pain in the older patient with chronic pain.

Social support. Among elderly in two community programs.

Elderly individuals lacking adequate social support have shown greater deficits and difficulties in illness recovery, length of hospitalization, and development of cognitive and emotional changes than those who do receive adequate social support. This study evidenced a very meaningful finding for nurses--older adults who are often dependent upon others for support in some or most facets of daily living specified love and respect as the type of support most needed, rather than tangible aid. In most communities, a wide array of educational and support group programs are offered to older adults. Social networking and the enhancement of social support among participants should be primary goals of such programs.

"The Ecology of Social Support and Older Adult Adaptation: A Review of Research and Educational Implications."

A detailed review of research was conducted on the relationship of social support of older adults to their general health and well being, and the findings were applied to educational outcomes and performance. The following dimensions of social support were examined: (1) an ecological framework or perspective of social support, (2) definitions and theoretical perspectives, (3) methodological concerns, (4) social support and overall adult adaptation (focus on health ), and (5) social support and educational outcomes for older adults. The findings on the nature of social support were equivocal, pointing out a great many false assumptions and methodological problems in considering the health and well being of older adults. For example, some studies suggest thaesocial supports decline with age, while others suggest that the patterns of social support reside with the individual and are relatively constant throughout life. The picture of the lonely, friendless older person may be largely a myth. Therefore, applying the results of such research to educational outcomes is, at best, merely suggestive. On the one hand, educational outcomes for older adults may be somewhat independent of social support variables and influenced primarily by self-characteristics. On the other hand, the role of social supports in the educational outcomes of older adults may be relatively important but not fully appreciated. The study suggests a model of social support in older adult education. The notion of convoys or the dynamic networkr of social support that accompany the indsvidual throughout life may be useful in such a model. Such a notion is the first step toward integrating social support theory and research in older adult education. A 66-item reference list concludes the document. (RC) *********************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * *********************************************************************** The Ecology of Social Support and Older Adult Adaptation: A Review of Research and Educational Implications Lawrence B. Schiamberg Michigan State University

Health and Social Support of Older Adults in the Community

ABSTRACTStructured interviews were conducted with forty-eight older clients discharged from a public health nursing service in order to: (1) describe their social support network and (2) identify specific components of social support related to physical, social and emotional health. The sample was comprised primarily of older widows living alone to whom family and relatives contributed the largest amount of support. Correlation analyses revealed that: (1) age, emotional support given by older persons to their supporters and aid given and received by older persons were related to physical functioning; (2) emotional, decisional and aid support given by older persons to their supports (total reciprocity) and femaleness were related to emotional functioning and; (3) emotional and aid support received by older persons and reciprocity were related to social functioning.