Measures Of Social Support Research Articles

Exploring a low sense of social belonging in first-generation students in post-pandemic university in Austria

The study explores the social belonging of first-generation students in a large university in Austria after the pandemic. While social belonging is a complex notion and nebulous to define, this study applies n enhanced concept of student engagement, which views student engagement as active involvement and social belonging on behalf of a student, and as integration and social support measures on behalf of the university. A strong sense of social belonging is on the one hand fundamental to becoming a student and the likelihood to graduate, however, the institution must also provide social support and academic integration on the other hand. This study explores the social belonging of seven first-generation students in Austrian higher education applying a qualitative approach using narrative interviews. The findings illustrate that first-generation students navigate higher education under significant economic constraints and experience intermittent access to social support measures. They hold strong feelings of social belonging with friends outside the university and do not make new friends at university easily. The study shows that first-generation-students depend on financial and social support by their families more than others and that negative sentiments during studying block their active involvement in class, and thus their sense of belonging.

On social and philosophical problems of technology. Review of the monograph-essay by N.M. Tverdynin "Man in the technoworld: book and reality"

The introductory part of the review provides a description of a new genre of research into the problems of the philosophy of technology. The main part of the review is devoted to examining the structure of the work, which includes an analysis of technical devices emerging in the history of human society and an assessment of their application through the prism of literature; excerpts from the story "After the Feat" about the liquidators of the Chernobyl accident; a study of the dilemma of technocracy and technophobia. It is important to consider three levels of technical creativity: rationalization, invention, scientific and technical creativity. Measures of social support for the revival of inventive and scientific and technical activities are proposed.

고등학생의 자기효능감과 학교생활적응의 관계에서 사회적 지지의 조절효과

Objectives In this study, we sought to verify the moderating effect of social support in the relationship between high school students' self-efficacy and school life adjustment. Methods To this end, an online survey was conducted among high school students nationwide, consisting of measures of self-efficacy, school adjustment, and social support. In order to analyze the data of a total of 400 patients, frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, and pearson correlation analysis were performed using the Window SPSS 26.0 statistical program, and the adjustment effect was verified by hierarchical regression analysis. Results First, there was a positive correlation between self-efficacy, social support, and school life adjustment, and a significant static correlation between social support and school life adjustment was also found. Second, social support had a moderating effect on the relationship between self-efficacy and school life adjustment. Conclusions This suggests that self-efficacy can have a positive impact on a high school student's adaptation to school life if support is provided to protect them from friends, romantic partners, or family members who prefer the adaptation to school life. Based on these research results, the significance, limitations, and suggestions of this study were discussed.

Social support, spirituality, and executive functions: An event-related potential (ERP) study of neural mechanisms of cultural protective factors in American Indians (AIs).

A resilience-based approach in American Indian (AI) communities focuses on inherent sociocultural assets that may act as protective resilience buffers linked to mitigated mental health risks (e.g., deep-rooted spiritual, robust social support networks). Executive control functions are implicated as mechanisms for protective factors, but little evidence exists on the underlying neurocognitive mechanisms that support resilience. This study examined how sustainable and community-centric factors of social support and Native Spirituality were linked to neural mechanisms of executive control functions in a heterogeneous AI community. Fifty-nine self-identified AI participants underwent electroencephalography recordings during a stop signal task and completed measures of social support and spirituality engagement. Event-related potential components indexed attentional resource allocation for inhibitory processing (N2, P3a) and for response error monitoring (error/correct-related negativity; error positivity). Greater social support was linked to attenuated attentional demands for early and sustained inhibitory processing (N2, P3a). Greater Native Spirituality beliefs were linked to greater attentional resources for early but not sustained error-monitoring error-related negativity. Results provide novel evidence for neurocognitive mechanisms of resilience, contribute a deeper understanding of resilience within Indigenous communities, and highlight the role of salient protective factors in mental health that offer a foundation for targeted resilience-based treatment(s). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Assessing perception of mattering in a cross-cultural university context: validity and reliability of the Italian and Hungarian versions of the University Mattering Scale (UM-S).

The present study aimed to gather evidence on the validity and reliability of the Italian and Hungarian versions of the University Mattering Scale (UM-S). This 10-item scale assesses university students' perceptions of mattering across three dimensions: Awareness, Importance, and Reliance. University students from Italy (n = 210) and Hungary (n = 191) completed a questionnaire that included the adapted UM-S, along with measures of societal mattering, social support, well-being, and academic self-efficacy. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported the three-factor structure of the scale in both contexts. The scale demonstrated high internal consistency, providing evidence of its reliability. Consistent with the original version, both the Italian and Hungarian UM-S showed good discriminant and convergent validity, as evidenced by its association with instruments measuring perceived social support and societal mattering. Additionally, the scale showed strong criterion-related and incremental validity; university mattering significantly predicted students' well-being and academic self-efficacy, even after controlling for perceived social support. Furthermore, the scale was partially invariant across countries at the scalar level. A comparison of UM-S scores between the two groups revealed that Hungarian students perceived higher levels of university mattering than their Italian counterparts. In conclusion, the Italian and Hungarian versions of the UM-S are appropriate for use in academic contexts to assess students' sense of being valued by their university. The instrument, having been shown to be both valid and reliable, is suitable for both research and intervention purposes.

Bedside mental health risk screening of traumatic injury patients is enhanced by measurement of injury mechanism and social support.

The American College of Surgeons now requires mental health screening and follow up for hospitalized patients in trauma centers. National estimates indicate that 20-40 % of these patients will develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or depression within one year post-injury. Research has identified brief bedside screens that predict PTSD and depression post-discharge, such as the Injured Trauma Survivor Screen and Peritraumatic Distress Inventory. However, false negatives are common; almost a quarter of patients with a negative bedside risk screen may develop PTSD or depression post-discharge and may not receive appropriate follow up. As such, there is critical need to improve bedside risk-screening tools. We aimed to identify demographic, social, and trauma-related predictors of mental health symptoms among patients with negative bedside screens. Patients were injury survivors served by a Level I trauma center who were identified as "low risk for development of PTSD/depression" by the Injured Trauma Survivor Screen. Patient injury type and demographics were collected from the medical record. Violent injuries (e.g., gunshot wound) and lower levels of available social support predicted elevated PTSD symptoms 30-days post-injury. Lower social support also was associated with increased risk for depressive symptoms 30 days post-injury. Findings suggest that risk-screening tools may be improved by including items that capture injury mechanism and social support. Alternatively, trauma centers should consider mental health referral for patients who have experienced violent trauma or have low levels of social support, even when bedside screening tools identify them as having low mental health risk.

The reaction of the social security systems of the European Union and the united states of America to financial crises: proposals for using the experience in Russia

In the context of accelerated transformation of the domestic economy, attempts at economic and socio-political isolation of the Russian Federation (hereinafter referred to as RF, Russia), the question of rethinking the role of social protection in the development of the RF arises. The purpose of the work is to develop recommendations for increasing the adaptability of the domestic social protection system to future possible shocks, with consideration to modern practices used in developed economies. The object of the study is social protection systems. The subject is measures of adaption of these systems to consequences of financial crises. When conducting the study, the following methods have been used: analysis, induction, measurement, comparison, computational and constructive, statistical and economic. The main results of the study include identification of the basic channels for the transition of a financial crisis into a social one, and assessment of the fiscal impulses of the European Union countries, United States of America, and Russia in order to mitigate the negative shocks of financial crises. The practical significance of the work is due to the possibility of using the results in the activities of government bodies as part of improving the domestic social protection system. The similar nature of consequences of global financial crises has allowed us to draw a number of conclusions. Firstly, job retention schemes and social support measures for the unemployed population make it possible to create an effective system of income support for workers, especially for vulnerable groups. Secondly, increasing the targeting of social support measures will lead to the performance growth of social protection system, allowing for a more rational distribution of limited budget resources. Finally, this social system can effectively reach the target segment of beneficiaries only if means-testing information systems are of high quality.

The Nature and Influencing Factors of Malevolent Creativity

Creativity can be divided into two sides, not only positive but also negative. Malicious creativity will bring great harm to society. This paper introduces the concept and background of malicious creativity, the causes of malicious creativity, and discusses the influence of individual factors (such as negative emotions, empathy and psychological resilience) and environmental factors (such as childhood trauma, parenting, approach-avoidance motivation and social exclusion) on malicious creativity. It reveals the complex mechanism behind the development of malicious creativity. Finally, it discusses how psychological intervention and social support measures can prevent and reduce the occurrence of malicious creativity and promote social harmony and stability. By systematically identifying and understanding the key factors affecting malicious creativity, we can take early preventive measures to reduce its negative social impact. This study provides a foundation for the healthy development of individual psychology and the establishment of a safer, more active and innovative social environment.

Participation in health-promoting activities of mothers of young children post-man-made disaster caused by terrorist attack.

Global disasters' rising toll on participation in health-promoting activities (HPA) has been observed, especially for mothers with young children, who may face unique challenges postdisaster. This brief report examined perceived changes in participation in HPA and its supportive factors as perceived by mothers, following a terrorist attack disaster. Two hundred one mothers (age range = 20-58) of young children up to 12 years completed an online survey including sociodemographic data, exposure to disaster characteristics, participation in HPA, and social support measures. They also responded to an open-ended question regarding factors supporting their health needs and ability to participate in daily activities 1 month postdisaster. Most of the mothers who completed the survey reported decreased participation in HPA postdisaster. Disaster exposure correlated with perceived reductions in frequency and competence of participation. Social support moderated the effect of disaster exposure on reduced competence. Descriptive analysis revealed four themes: consequences of disaster exposure, external resources, life-role overload, and adaptive thinking to the situation. Mothers with young children face postdisaster challenges impacting their HPA. Social support may serve as a protective factor, mitigating negative consequences of disaster exposure on perceived competence in participation. Results emphasize that interventions targeting maternal health postdisasters, highlighting the importance of social support, are imperative. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Characteristics of medical student education during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction. After the last pandemic, the university community faced a number of issues related to the management and conduct of training, so improving the quality of education and training of medical students is relevant. The transition to distance learning on various platforms with all kinds of media support, on the one hand, made it possible not to interrupt the educational process during a difficult period of social restrictions, and on the other hand, created a load and stressed both students and teachers of educational institutions. Purpose. To assess the impact of changes on the educational process of medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the implementation of distance learning technologies and the use of online platforms, and to identify the need for social support measures to reduce academic burnout and improve students’ psychological resilience. Materials and methods. A comparative observational study was conducted at the Urology Clinic of the Russian University of Medicine, which used an anonymous Internet survey. Two hundred forty eight 4th year medical students were interviewed from 2020 to 2021 and 501 respondents from 2021 to 2022. Results. Two groups of students were compared, distributed according to a time criterion. The most frequent area of application of social networks in the educational process was consultation with teachers and search for information for educational activities. In relation to distance learning, positive responses were received from 170 respondents (68.55%) in group 1 and 342 (68.26%) in group 2, and negative responses from 68 (27.42%) and 127 (25.35%) respondents, respectively. Research limitations. A narrow focus on the sample of medical students, which does not reflect the diversity of opinions and experiences in the wider population, as well as conducting research during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions. Given the changes in educational activities against the background of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the lack of regulated norms, rules, and support for students and teachers during this period, comprehensive coverage and development of distance learning methods are necessary.

The relationship of social support with sexual assertiveness and marital satisfaction in Iranian women.

People who receive social support in their marital life have a higher chance of experiencing more marital satisfaction. Pleasant healthy sexual relations and a couple's sexual assertiveness are of prime significance in such satisfaction. This study aimed to determine the relationship between social support and both sexual assertiveness and marital satisfaction in married women referring to health centers in Tabriz, Iran. This is a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study on 292 women out of 22308 reproductive-age married females referring to the health centers of Tabriz in 2022. Sampling was done by cluster sampling method. Data collection instruments included a socio-personal information questionnaire, personal resource questionnaire 85 (PRQ85-Part 2) as a social support measure, Halbert index of sexual assertiveness (HISA), and enrich marital satisfaction (EMS) scale. Data were analyzed using Pearson, independent t, one-way ANOVA tests, and the general linear model. The mean (SD) of social support, marital satisfaction, and sexual assertiveness scores were 103 (19.8), 135.9 (11.8), and 52.2 (19.5), respectively. Social support had an average positive correlation with marital satisfaction (P < 0.001; r = 0.57) and a good positive correlation with sexual assertiveness (P < 0.001; r = 0.73). An adjusted general linear model showed a significant statistical relationship between social support with sexual assertiveness (B: 0.7; 95% CI: 0.6-0.8; P <0.001), and marital satisfaction, (B: 0.3; 95% CI: 0.2-0.4; P <0.001). An increase in social support, increases their marital satisfaction and sexual assertiveness. Focusing on social support could be an effective approach in family counseling or family education programs to improve marital satisfaction.

Understanding Deep Disadvantage at the End of Life: A Nationwide Analysis of Unclaimed Deaths

ObjectivesTo describe unclaimed deaths nationwide and to examine contextual factors associated with higher rates of these types of interments. MethodsUnclaimed death records from 2009 to 2021 were collected by a combination of direct outreach and obtaining data from publicly available websites. Data were summarized by county-year and linked to American Community Survey demographic variables, as well as markers of social isolation and economic disadvantage. ResultsThe underlying individual-level dataset included 42,942 decedents. Unclaimed deaths in the United States from 2009 to 2021, based on data from more than 248 counties that provided records, are increasing over time. This population appears to be younger at death, more male, and more likely to be of Black race than decedents in the general population. Several county-level markers of social isolation and economic deprivation were correlates of unclaimed deaths. ConclusionsThis is the first systematic examination of unclaimed deaths at the county level and offers a novel way to understand marginalized populations, such as the unhoused and others living in extreme social or economic deprivation. Unclaimed death rates may also provide an objective measure of social support that can be measured over time.

Loneliness as a Predictor of Disability in Older Adults: Implications of the UCLA Loneliness Scale Cutoff Score Across Cultural Contexts.

This letter responds to the study by Tomida etal. (2024) that validates the optimal cutoff score for the UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA-LS) to predict disability among older Japanese adults. The study identifies a cutoff score of 44, providing a significant indicator for the early detection of at-risk individuals. To discuss the implications of the identified cutoff score for public health and clinical practice, including its potential for early intervention and cross-cultural validation. This commentary critically analyzes the findings of Tomida etal. (2024) and situates them within the broader literature on loneliness, disability, and aging. It also considers the multifactorial aspects of loneliness and disability in older adults. The UCLA-LS cutoff score of 44 serves as a practical benchmark for clinicians, which can be integrated into routine health assessments to identify individuals at risk. We underscore the need for additional research on cross-cultural validation and mechanisms linking loneliness to disability. We advocate for incorporating social support measures into standard care for older adults to mitigate the effects of loneliness on disability. This letter suggests future research directions, including exploring the causal pathways between loneliness and disability and developing culturally appropriate interventions.

Patterns of referral to interprofessional services among frail older adults presenting to emergency departments in Canada.

Geriatric Emergency Department (ED) Guidelines recommend optimizing transitions of care for older patients with complex needs. In this study, we investigated referral patterns to interprofessional services, including occupational therapy, physiotherapy, dietician, social work, home care, and specialized geriatric services, among older adults presenting to the ED with high-risk characteristics. We recruited community-dwelling older adults presenting to 10 EDs across Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland, Canada, from April 2017 to July 2018. To observe processes of care in the ED, we deployed a two-stage high-risk case-finding and focused comprehensive assessment process based on the interRAI ED-Screener and ED Contact Assessment to identify and characterize older adults at high risk. We analyzed the secondary data using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. We screened 5265 individuals with the ED Screener, further assessed 1479 with the ED Contact Assessment, and analyzed data from a subset of 1055 community-dwelling older adults assessed with the ED Contact Assessment. Participants in our study sample had a mean age of 83 years, 58% were female, and many had a complex burden of cognitive and functional impairment and social needs. Over half of this high-needs sample were referred to general home care services (62.7%), occupational therapy (59.3%), and physiotherapy services (55.2%), while 16% were referred to specialized geriatric services. We also found a significant positive association between interprofessional referrals and the Assessment Urgency Algorithm and Institutional Risk Scale. The most important determinants of referral to interprofessional services were hospital province, functional, clinical, and social burden and support measures. The referral patterns identified suggest that patient needs and risk intensity did not always guide referral patterns in the Canadian EDs investigated. We suggest that EDs critically examine the appropriateness of their documentation and referral systems for supporting person-centered care provision.

FEATURES OF SOCIAL WORK WITH YOUNG FAMILIES IN THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

The article examines the family as a constantly evolving and changing social phenomenon. The relevance of the study of the modern family is substantiated in view of the transformation of its forms, structure, functioning conditions under the influence of modern social transformations. The need for analysis and clarification of terms related to the research field of the family is outlined. The practical necessity of clearly defining the concepts of «family», «young family» as an object of social work for the implementation of measures of social support and assistance from society and the state and increasing their effectiveness is indicated. The author refers to the theoretical and methodological foundations of family, young family research. An analysis of scientific sources and results of research in sociology, theory of social work, devoted to the problem of the family, was carried out. The multifacetedness of scientific interpretations of the concept of «family» has been proven. It is proposed to use an interdisciplinary approach and methodological pluralism in its description. The lack of unity in the views of scientists on the definition of «young family» has been demonstrated. The concept was interpreted and its author’s definition was proposed. When determining the definition of «young family», both the general picture of its functioning and modern trends in family development were taken into account, and an integrative approach was used. The analysis of the interpretations of the family that we considered allowed us to interpret this concept as a living, educational and educational environment, a social institution, the first group, a unique type of emotional, biological, social ties, and an economic unit. We define a young family as a social group, in which the age of the husband and wife does not exceed 35 years (or another age limit fixed by the relevant legal norms within the social structure under analysis), which is in the process of its formation, intensity of development, instability relations between its members, their assimilation of social roles, as well as socialization in society as an independent social subject and the performance of the functions of a social institution, which is formed by determining the legal form of marriage or cohabitation based on mutual trust.

Validation of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support among LGBT population in Serbia

Abstract Background Social support represents the belief that one is valued, cared for, and loved by others in a social network and a lack of it may lead to adverse outcomes such as a relapse into depression or emotional distress in physically ill patients. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) is an instrument aimed to measure an individual’s perception of how much he or she receives outside social support. This study aimed to examine the validity and reliability of the Serbian version of MSPSS in a sample of LGBT population in Serbia. Methods The cross-sectional study included 504 respondents, members of the LGBT population living in Serbia. The instrument used was the MSPSS as a self-report measure, containing twelve items rated on a 7-point Likert scale. MSPSS consists of three sub-scales: Family, Friends, and Significant Others. Exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were performed with two independent random samples. Results The average score on the scale of social support was 5.58±0.84 (scale of social support by family 4.62±1.41, scale of social support by friends 5.93± 1.99, and scale of social support by the significant others 6.20±0.96, respectively). The Cronbach’s alpha for the entire social support scale was α = 0.772. The three-factor structure of the MSPSS was proved with EFA and CFA. The factor loadings varied between 0.630-0.817. The three factors explained a total of 52.68% of the variance (factor 1- 28.62%, factor 2. 13.16%, factor 3- 10,90%). The three-factor model was adopted during the CFA when the three-factor model CFI (comparative fit index) was 0.969. Conclusions The MSPSS has shown good reliability, internal validity and construct validity and can be used as a convenient measure of social support among the LGBT population. Both EFA and CFA yield a three-factor structure consistent with the theory underlying the measure’s development. Key messages • The results of the study suggest that the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support has acceptable psychometric properties for use with the LGBT population. • This study supports the use of the MSPSS for assessing community-based collaboration using the three-factor model among the LGBT population.

Emotional awareness amplifies affective sensitivity to social support for women with breast cancer.

Emotional awareness (EA) is thought to facilitate psychological health by aiding emotion regulation in oneself and garnering social support from others. This study tested these potential relationships within a one-year longitudinal study of 460 women (age 23-91 years, mean 56.4 years) recently diagnosed with breast cancer (i.e., within four months). The women completed measures of emotional awareness, social support, social stress, affective symptoms, and well-being. Linear models tested EA as a moderator of social support and stress on affective symptoms and well-being. In those with higher EA, low social support was associated with greater depression and lower optimism. There was some evidence that higher EA predicted greater depression at baseline but lower depression at nine-month follow-up. These results support the idea that EA increases sensitivity to available social support and facilitates emotional adjustment over time, suggesting that assessment of EA could help guide clinicians in identifying those at greatest risk of adverse mental health outcomes in this population.

The Role of Household Social Support and Undermining in Dietary Change.

US adults find it challenging to meet disease prevention dietary recommendations and may participate in interventions to improve dietary quality. Social influences outside of the intervention, including level of social support and undermining of healthy eating in the home, may affect an individual's dietary intake. This secondary analysis examined (1) changes in household social support and undermining of healthy eating across a dietary intervention with household member participation and (2) the relationship between changes in social influences and dietary intake. Adults (N = 62) with low adherence to cancer prevention dietary recommendations recruited from the Philadelphia area participated in a 20-week dietary intervention focused on psychoeducation about NCI dietary recommendations and skills for behavior change. Half of the participants were also randomized to have an adult household member participate in some intervention contacts with them. Participants completed measures of social support and undermining of healthy eating and dietary intake at baseline and post-treatment (20weeks). Fifty-two participants had available data for baseline and post-treatment (i.e., completers). Household social support of healthy eating increased more among participants randomized to have household involvement in the intervention with a medium effect (η2 = .11). Fruit and vegetable intake significantly increased among participants with meaningful increases in household social support with a large effect (η2 = .37). There were no significant interaction effects of change in household undermining and time on change in dietary intake. Dietary interventions with a household support component show promise for improving household social support and may impact magnitude of dietary change.

Reliability and Exploratory Factor Analyses of Social Support Rating Scale

The measurement of social support adopts the social support rating scale developed by Ye Yuemei et al（2008）., which consists of 17 items and is based on Xiao Shuiyuan’s（1987） three factor model of social support. It includes subjective support, objective support, and utilization of support. The subjective support scale has 5 items and measures the perceived social support material and spiritual resources of the respondents; The objective support scale consists of 6 items, measuring the various forms of assistance that the respondents have truly received. The support utilization scale consisting of 6 items measures active utilization of social resources by respondents. This study aims to investigate the reliability and exploratory factor analysis of the Social Support Rating Scale.

Associations of social support, living arrangements, and residential stability with cancer screening in the United States.

Social support has been linked to increased use of preventive care services. Living arrangements and residential stability may be important structural sources of social support, but few studies have examined their impact on cancer screening. Data were from the 2021 National Health Interview Survey. Participants were classified as up-to-date or not with female breast cancer (BC), cervical cancer (CVC), and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening recommendations. Multivariable logistic regression was used to model associations between screening and residential stability (< 1year, 1-3years, 4-10years, 11-20years, or > 20years), living arrangement (with spouse/partner only, children only, both, or neither), and perceived social support (rarely/never, sometimes, usually, or always available), overall and stratified by sex (CRC) and age group (CVC). The adjusted odds of BC (odds ratio [OR] 0.61, 95% CI 0.45-0.81) and CVC (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.60-0.96) screening were lowest for those who reported never/rarely vs. always having social support. The adjusted odds of BC (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.22-1.70) and CRC (ORFEMALE = 1.42, 95% CI 1.20-1.68; ORMALE = 1.61, 95% CI 1.35-1.90) screening were higher for those living with a spouse/partner only vs. those living with neither spouse/partner nor children. Less residential stability was associated with increased CVC screening among females 21-34years of age, but not BC or CRC screening. Social support measures were associated with screening to varying degrees by site and age, but higher perceived social support and living with a spouse/partner only demonstrated a consistent positive association. Interventions that mobilize social support networks and address the unmet social needs of parents/caregivers may improve cancer control.