Social Support Systems Research Articles

난임 여성 관련 국내 연구동향 분석

Purpose : The purpose of this study was conducted to grasp the trends of domestic research on infertile women and to suggest future research directions related to infertile women. Methods : This study utilized the methodological framework of Arskey and O'Malley as a literature review study on the subject scope. The research targeted studies published from 2003 to 2023 using electronic databases. Results : A total of 35 studies were included in the final analysis, and the analysis framework was structured to analyze the general characteristics and thematic analysis of the studies. The paramount variables pertinent to this investigation predominantly encompassed depression, succeeded by spousal support, stress, quality of life, resilience, family support, and self-esteem. Furthermore, irrational parental beliefs and marital satisfaction were scrutinized. Conclusion : Psychological and social support systems are necessary for the care of infertile women, and various studies are needed to develop specific and practical programs to help infertile women during the treatment process.

“These are just finishing our medicines”: older persons’ perceptions and experiences of access to healthcare in public and private health facilities in Uganda

BackgroundThere is limited research on the experiences of access to medicines for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in health facilities among older persons in Uganda. This paper explores the perspectives of older persons and healthcare providers concerning older persons’ access to essential medicines in Uganda.MethodsIt is based on qualitative data from three districts of Hoima, Kiboga, and Busia in Uganda. Data collection methods included seven (07) focus group discussions (FGDs) and eighteen (18) in-depth interviews with older persons. Nine (9) key informant interviews with healthcare providers were conducted. Deductive and inductive thematic analysis (using Health Access Livelihood Framework) was used to analyze the barriers and facilitators of access to healthcare using QSR International NVivo software.ResultsThe key facilitators and barriers to access to healthcare included both health system and individual-level factors. The facilitators of access to essential medicines included family or social support, earning some income or Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) money, and knowing a healthcare provider at a health facility. The health system barriers included the unavailability of specialized personnel, equipment, and essential medicines for non-communicable diseases, frequent stock-outs, financial challenges, long waiting times, high costs for medicines for NCDs, and long distances to health facilities.ConclusionAccess to essential medicines for NCDs is a critical challenge for older persons in Uganda. The Ministry of Health should make essential drugs for NCDS to be readily available and train geriatricians to provide specialized healthcare for older persons to reduce health inequities in old age. Social support systems need to be strengthened to enable older persons to access healthcare.

ON THE ISSUE OF THE GOALS AND LEGAL PRINCIPLES OF PROVIDING SOCIAL ASSISTANCE IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

The relevance of the research topic lies in the fact that social assistance is an important component of guarantees of the social security of citizens’ social rights. The article reveals the main task of the state social policy, which is to achieve the well-being of an individual and society as a whole through fair and equal access for all citizens to state social assistance. The article is devoted to the analysis of the goals of providing social assistance to persons in need, enshrined in the Federal Law of 17.07.1999 N 178-FZ "On State Social Assistance". The purpose of the study is to analyze and clarify the objectives set out in the Law on Social Assistance, to define the legal principles of state social assistance and to disclose their content. Materials and methods. The methodological basis of the research is predetermined by the set goal and objectives, as well as by the idea of the existence of universal, general scientific, private scientific and special legal research methods. The paper presents an analysis of legislation, practical experience of its use and scientific doctrine on the goals and principles of social protection and social assistance. The article reveals the concept of state social assistance; the opinions of scientists on the main goals of social protection are given. To conduct a full-fledged analysis, the subject composition of recipients of state social assistance is considered. Such subjects include low-income families, low-income citizens living alone and other categories of citizens who, for reasons beyond their control, have an average per capita income below the subsistence minimum. The result of the study. The authors propose their own formulations of the goals of social protection, assess the implementation of the goals in practice provided for in the legislation, identify the causes of emerging problems with the provision of social assistance, among which the lack of clear and concise rules for the provision of social assistance stands out. These will contribute to the development of legislation. Based on the analysis of legislation and law enforcement practice, their own principles have been put forward. These include targeting, accessibility, humanity, voluntariness, targeted use of budget funds, clarity, and equality. The article reveals the content of each of these principles. The practical and theoretical significance of the study is manifested in the fact that the improvement of legislation on social assistance should take place taking into account the goals and principles discussed in the article, which should be reflected in regulatory legal acts. It will make it possible to create a more effective system of social support for citizens and will contribute to improving the quality of life of the population. Conclusions. It is concluded that it is necessary to clarify the objectives specified in the Law, as well as to supplement it with an article containing the legal principles on which the legislation on social assistance will be based.

Return to work for cancer survivors: Importance and challenges

The loss of gainful employment can lead to a diminished quality of life, reduced self-esteem, and financial difficulties for cancer survivors. Understanding the factors influencing their ability to re-enter the workforce is crucial. Providing workplace accommodations, reducing workloads, and fostering support from employers and colleagues can incentivize cancer survivors to return to work. Physicians also play a pivotal role in aiding patients through the return-to-work process, thereby enhancing their overall quality of life. Early evaluation and access to social support systems are essential for cancer survivors. In this comprehensive review, we examine the process of cancer survivors returning to work, the associated factors, and the primary challenges, drawing upon current research.

The association between loneliness with health service use and quality of life among informal carers in Australia

ObjectiveThe demanding nature of caregiving and limited social support can lead to informal carers experiencing loneliness, which can impact their well-being and overall health service use (HSU). The study aims to examine the association between loneliness with HSU and Health state utility values among informal carers in Australia. MethodsData were derived from three waves (2009, 2013, and 2017) of the nationally representative longitudinal Household Income and Labour Dynamics of Australia (HILDA) survey, focusing on adult informal carers. Outcome measures included visits to the General Practitioner, the number of hospital admissions, and the SF-6D score. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) analysis was conducted to explore the associations between loneliness and HSU, as well as loneliness and utility values (based on SF-6D) while adjusting for age, sex, education, marital status, income, and physical/mental health conditions. ResultsAfter controlling for covariates, lonely carers reported lower utility values (IRR = 0.91, 95%CI [0.89, 0.93], p < 0.001) compared to non-lonely carers. Lonely carers reported a higher number of GP visits (IRR = 1.18, 95% CI [1.04, 1.36], p < 0.05) as well as a higher likelihood of visiting specialists (AOR = 1.31, p = 0.046) and hospital doctors (AOR = 1.42, p = 0.013) compared to the non-lonely carers. ConclusionsThe findings of this study highlight the relationship between loneliness on both healthcare utilization and carers’ overall well-being. Addressing loneliness through targeted interventions and social support systems can help improve health outcomes and potentially reduce the overall healthcare costs among informal carers in Australia.

Retired College Student Athletes’ Psychological Well-Being: A Prospective Analysis

For college student athletes, graduation coincides with a loss of competitive careers and athletic identities and begin a potentially traumatic transition to a new life phase. However, how athletes’ experience this developmental transition may be influenced by their readiness to retire. Thus, we prospectively examined how NCAA student athletes’ (N = 166) psychological well-being changed from graduation/retirement (T1) to four months later (T2) and determined the extent their readiness to retire, as represented by 12 key psychosocial dimensions (e.g., social support, athletic identity) predicted well-being at T2. Athletes completed a 12-item measure of retirement readiness at T1, measures of depressive symptomatology, body satisfaction, and life satisfaction at T1 and T2. Through regressions analyses, and controlling for gender and T1 well-being scores, we found that athletes who developed a new life focus and had positive social support systems at retirement from sport were more satisfied with their lives and less depressed four to five months later. For the athletes’ T2 body satisfaction, only their T1 satisfaction was a significant predictor. As one of the first studies to longitudinally examine collegiate athletes’ well-being over the first six months of retirement, our findings provide direction for additional research and development of programming that focuses on helping athletes maintain and extend their support networks as they transition from their teams and develop a new purpose and direction in their lives as they lose what had been present for them through their sport involvement. Implications for assisting collegiate athletes in transition from sport are provided.

The effect of social pension on health-related quality of life of the rural older people: a panel study from China

BackgroundSocial pensions, social assistance systems for older people in rural areas, have been put into place in many nations and have positively impacted health. The long-term health consequences of social pension programs in China are uncertain. The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term health consequences of the new rural social pension (NRSP) for the rural older people in China.MethodsBased on the 2011 and 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, we compared the scores on eight Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) subscales of the rural older people before and after participation in the NRSP. The propensity score matching and difference-in-difference methods were used in data analysis. We also conducted a heterogeneity analysis for subgroups with different characteristics and pension enrolment times.ResultsThe NRSP significantly enhanced scores on physical functioning, role-physical, and self-rated mental health of old rural participants by 1.90 (p < 0.01), 2.05 (p < 0.01), and 2.93 (p < 0.05), respectively. After excluding newly enrolled individuals, the beneficial health effects of the NRSP remained significant. There were no significant changes due to NRSP in the other five scores on the HRQoL subscale of the rural older people. The NRSP had more health benefits for older people in underdeveloped areas without formal schooling.ConclusionsThe NRSP reduced health disparities and had long-term benefits on the physical and mental health of the rural older people. We suggest continuously expanding the NRSP throughout rural China and further improving the social support system to enhance the overall quality of life of the rural older people. Comparable social pension programs aimed at underprivileged groups could also be conducted in other low- or middle-income nations.

Features of psychological resilience development in the context of contemporary psychological research

This article illuminates the dynamic nature of psychological resilience development against the backdrop of contemporary societal changes. It draws attention to the necessity of integrating an individual's internal capabilities with external support factors. Based on current psychological research, it emphasizes the multifaceted components of resilience, which include self-regulation, optimism, cognitive flexibility, and the vital role of social support systems. The work summarizes the contributions of modern scholars to the field of psychological resilience, particularly highlighting valid, including relatively new, resilience assessment scales applied as effective tools for both measuring and facilitating resilience development across various societal categories. Furthermore, the article reveals aspects of resilience research that were previously underexplored, such as the need for a deeper investigation into cross-cultural dimensions, the impact of digital technologies, and the formation of comprehensive support programs tailored to the challenges of the modern world. The goal of this article is to synthesize theoretical and empirical findings, offering a generalized summary of the research overview by contemporary scientists active in the field of psychological resilience, while also identifying future directions for study and application. This comprehensive review not only aids in a better understanding of how psychological resilience develops but also highlights unexplored aspects and opportunities for future research. By integrating findings from various sources, it provides a foundation for creating effective assistance methods that could enhance psychological resilience in individuals regardless of their age, social position, and cultural background.

Before and after study of a national complementary and supplementary feeding programme in Rwanda, 2017-2021.

To address high rates of malnutrition among children from vulnerable households in Rwanda, the government initiated a national food supplementation programme. A before and after evaluation, using repeat cross-sectional surveys in randomly selected villageswas conducted; aimed at assessing the effectiveness of providing fortified blended food (FBF) to children 18-23 months of age, pregnant and lactating women in the lowest tier of Rwanda's social support system. Data were collected in 2017, 2018and 2021 through interviews with caregivers; anthropometric measurements and a capillary blood sample were obtained from children. The primary statistical analysis compared the nutritional status of children before and after the introduction of FBF. We enroled 724 children during each survey. The prevalence of stunting declined from 47% to 35% between 2017 and 2021; in 2018, the prevalence of stunting was 43%. Children had a 42% reduction in the odds of being stunted (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 0.58, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.47-0.74, p < 0.001) from 2017 to 2021 even after adjusting for inherent, distal, proximal, and intermediate covariates. The reduction in stunting observed within the first year of the programme was not statistically significant (AOR: 0.83, 95%CI: 0.67-1.03, p < 0.091). We observed meaningful reductions in the prevalence of stunting among children which coincided with the introduction of Government-led initiative to reduce malnutrition. The Rwandan Government has committed to improving the living conditions of vulnerable households and has made strong investments in reducing malnutrition. The impact of these investments can be seen in the overall trend towards improved nutritional status highlighted in this evaluation.

Single arketamine in treatment resistant depression: Presentation of 3 cases with regard to sick-leave duration

BackgroundKetamine is the prototypal rapid-acting antidepressant (RAAD) for TRD with approved indication for esketamine-nasal spray (ESK-NS). Distinctly, arketamine (R-KET) demonstrates enhanced antidepressant effects and neuroplasticity changes compared to esketamine, with fewer dissociative side effects and abuse potential. This study focuses on R-ketamine's therapeutic implications, safety, and tolerability in TRD treatment. MethodsWe report on a year-long follow-up of three TRD patients post-single IV R-KET administration. The study, conducted under the clinical trial PCN-101 (NCT05414422), observed these subjects for healthcare resource utilization and social support system impact. Participants, adults diagnosed with recurrent major depressive disorder without psychotic features, were observed in a year-long follow-up period for safety. ResultsCase analyses revealed significant symptom reduction and improved social and vocational functioning, with reduced sick leaves and hospitalizations post-treatment. However, one case developed a substance use disorder, underscoring the need for vigilant monitoring. The study highlights R-KET's transformative potential in managing depression, indicating a shift in TRD treatment strategies towards early, aggressive interventions. ConclusionsDespite promising findings, the study faces limitations due to its small sample size, lack of randomization, and potential observational design biases. The results, while aligning with existing ketamine research, require cautious interpretation and warrant further investigation with larger, more robust studies. This exploration of R-KET's role in home-based TRD treatment opens avenues for future research, particularly focusing on its long-term effectiveness and safety in diverse patient populations. This study is registered in clinicaltrials.gov: NCT06232291.

Stressors, emotions, and social support systems among respiratory nurses during the Omicron outbreak in China: a qualitative study

BackgroundRespiratory nurses faced tremendous challenges when the Omicron variant spread rapidly in China from late 2022 to early 2023. An in-depth understanding of respiratory nurses’ experiences during challenging times can help to develop better management and support strategies. The present study was conducted to explore and describe the work experiences of nurses working in the Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (PCCM) during the Omicron outbreak in China.MethodsThis study utilized a descriptive phenomenological method. Between January 9 and 22, 2023, semistructured and individual in-depth interviews were conducted with 11 respiratory nurses at a tertiary hospital in Wuhan, Hubei Province. A purposive sampling method was used to select the participants, and the sample size was determined based on data saturation. The data analysis was carried out using Colaizzi’s method.ResultsThree themes with ten subthemes emerged: (a) multiple stressors (intense workload due to high variability in COVID patients; worry about not having enough ability and energy to care for critically ill patients; fighting for anxious clients, colleagues, and selves); (b) mixed emotions (feelings of loss and responsibility; feelings of frustration and achievement; feelings of nervousness and security); and (c) a perceived social support system (team cohesion; family support; head nurse leadership; and the impact of social media).ConclusionNursing managers should be attentive to frontline nurses’ needs and occupational stress during novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks. Management should strengthen psychological and social support systems, optimize nursing leadership styles, and proactively consider the application of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and products in clinical care to improve the ability of nurses to effectively respond to future public health crises.

Oral Health Status and Care Needs of People with Intellectual Disability in Specialized Centers of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

People with intellectual disabilities suffer from oral pain and discomfort twice as often as the general population. Their reduced cognitive and physical abilities, regular medication, and often the lack of a strong social support system lead to difficulties coping with the daily demands of life, including proper oral hygiene and nutrition. Having data on the oral health status of children and adolescents living with disabilities is crucial to reducing oral health inequalities within the population. The objectives of this study were to describe the main oral conditions, oral health behaviors and identify the care needs of people with intellectual disabilities in specialized centers in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. A descriptive transversal survey was conducted in the reception centers of intellectual disabled people benefiting from the subsidy of the Ministry of Women, National Solidarity, Family and Humanitarian Action. A questionnaire adapted for oral health surveys of the World Health Organization has been used for data collection that has been analyzed with Stata MP 16.0 software (College Station, Texas 77845, USA). Were included in the study 193 people with intellectual disabilities whose average age was 12.4 years ± 7.9. Our study reported that 74.0% had never visited a dentist and 19.0% of subjects did not clean their teeth. The overall prevalence of caries was 58.6% with 95% CI [51.2 - 65.8]. The frequencies of gingival bleeding and calculus were 63.8% and 63.4% respectively. The other pathologies were divided into 25.5% sialorrhea; 15.0% dental wear; 39.1% malocclusions; 19.2% dental anomalies and 14.4% dental trauma. Subjects who needed prompt and urgent care were 51.6%. This study made it possible to report the oral health behaviors and the main oral diseases encountered in people with intellectual disabilities and the care needs. Health promotion strategies focusing on simple interventions such as appropriate oral care would improve the general well-being of these vulnerable people.

Teach with purpose: The impact of life’s meaningfulness to educator’s motivation—A case study from Cendekia Harapan School, Bali

This mixed-methods study investigates the role of life meaning in teaching motivation among educators at Sekolah Cendekia Harapan, employing a concurrent design to integrate quantitative and qualitative data. The research encompasses a sample of 22 teachers, with a subset of 12 participating in detailed interviews. The quantitative analysis reveals a multifarious influence of life meaning on teaching motivation. While some aspects of life meaning significantly bolster motivation, others show negligible or even inverse effects. These findings illuminate the complexity of motivational factors, challenging the conventional wisdom of a uniform influence of life meaning as posited in Viktor Frankl’s theory. The qualitative insights enrich these findings, underscoring the nuanced interplay between educators’ life meaning and their professional drive. The study underscores the necessity of accounting for broader contextual factors—including working conditions, social support systems, and educational policies—to fully comprehend the motivational landscape of teachers. It concludes that while life meaning is a vital element, it is not the exclusive determinant of teaching motivation. Further inquiry is warranted to delineate the intricate dynamics of this relationship, with a particular focus on the reciprocal impact of teaching on life meaning within diverse cultural settings. Such understanding is pivotal for crafting targeted professional development initiatives.

Associations between patterns of social support and perinatal mental health among Chinese mother: the mediating role of social trust

This study aims to explore the correlation between different social support patterns and perinatal mental health, and the mediating role of social trust in this. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Jiangsu, China, with a sample size of 1705 pregnant respondents. Latent class analysis (LCA) was utilized to identify various social support patterns, while a multiple regression model was employed to analyze the mediating effect of social trust on the relationship between social support patterns and perinatal mental health. The study found four distinct social support patterns among the respondents: primary relationship-centric support, overall weak support, primary-secondary relationship-balanced support, and overall strong support. In the relationship between social support patterns and perinatal mental health, social trust played both a partial and full mediating role. The findings indicate that a social support system that enhances maternal trust and promotes honest disclosure of symptoms can effectively promote perinatal mental health.

Marital Quality and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Hispanic Adults in the United States.

Despite the cultural importance of marriage as a social support system and its well-established link to mental health, older Hispanic adult populations, which are the largest racial and ethnic minoritized groups, remain understudied. The current study examined how positive and negative dimensions of marital quality are associated with depressive symptoms. Data from Hispanic adults aged 51 years and older (n = 1,012) were obtained from the 2016 and 2018 Health and Retirement Study waves. The Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale (0-8 symptoms) was modeled as a function of positive and negative marital quality measures (1-4), as well as the relevant covariates. Results from a negative binomial regression model showed that a 1-unit change in positive and negative marital quality was associated with a 23.61% reduction and a 23.74% increase, respectively, in depressive symptoms. The interaction terms with marital quality and gender, as well as marital quality and religion, were not statistically significant. In the United States, a large percentage of older Hispanic adults are immigrants, and their extended family tends to reside in their countries of origin. As such, older Hispanic adults may have smaller social networks, and marital quality most likely represents a culturally important social support network in later life. Significant associations between depressive symptoms and marital quality among older Hispanic adults should receive more attention in family and public health policy discussions, particularly given the increasing diversity in U.S. society.

Parental Involvement in Children’s Education in the United States: Evidence from Annual Survey of Refugees

This study examined sociodemographic factors that influence parental involvement in children’s education among recently resettled refugees in the U.S. Data came from the 2018 Annual Survey of Refugees (ASR). A sample of 1007 refugees aged 16 years or older was analyzed using chi-square tests to obtain the prevalence estimates and multiple logistic regression to predict an association between independent and dependent variables. The results indicate that females, married parents, those aged 25–29, and with good English proficiency were associated with higher odds of being involved in children’s education. However, unmarried refugees aged 55 or older were associated with lower odds of being involved in children’s education. Therefore, addressing existing gender disparities, language and cultural barriers, providing cultural orientation programs, encouraging parent-teacher communication, offering empowerment workshops, and increasing social support systems can help facilitate parental involvement in their children’s education. Further implications for practice and policy are discussed.

Decoding the impact of covid-19 on everyday life practices of Syrian refugees: an investigation at the neighbourhood level

ABSTRACT This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic at the neighbourhood level on the everyday life practices of Syrian refugees and the potential reasons for virus transmission in their settlements. It is based on fieldwork in an ethnic enclave of Ankara, which revealed comparative insights into everyday life practices of Syrians before and after the outbreak, their perceptions, reactions and strategies towards the pandemic and its countermeasures. Their religious beliefs, socio-cultural structure, social networks and economic struggles have significant effects on their perceptions and practices in pandemic times; together with their living and working conditions, this may create risks of virus transmission. The degradation in their employment status, interruptions in donations and increase in expenditures resulted in decreases in living standards. The outbreak, negatively influencing their use of public services and some parts of social life created new inequalities and stressors but empowered their social support system and virtual networking capacities.

“She Has a Village”: The Intergenerational Benefits of Social Support Networks for Black Mothers and Daughters

In the current qualitative study, we explored the perceived benefits of Black mothers’ villages as cultural resource systems of social support. We used consensual qualitative research methods to analyze semi-structured interview data from 28 Black mothers (25–60 years, Mage = 46) in the United States. We identified seven main themes. For Black daughters, village support offered: (a) models of positive relationships, (b) access to social and enriching activities, (c) natural mentorship, and (d) gendered racial identity affirmation. For Black mothers, village support offered the necessary time and space to: (e) engage in personal restorative practices, (f) find joy in Black mama sister circles, and (g) experience support for educational and occupational opportunities. In addition to appreciation for the various ways village members showed up, mothers valued village members’ contributions to daughters’ self-esteem and gendered racial pride. Narratives highlighted Black mothers’ intentional village-making, underscoring fictive and extended kin networks’ enduring importance in Black girls’ identity development and well-being. Our findings hold implications for culturally relevant socialization frameworks for Black girls and stimulate new discussions on supporting Black mothers and daughters more effectively.

Factors Influencing Parenting Stress in Female Married Nurses with Young Children

This descriptive survey aimed to identify factors influencing parenting stress among female married nurses with young children. Multiple regression analysis were conducted using the data obtained from 132 surveys. The variables influencing parenting stress were found to be, in order, work-family balance (β=-.356, p&lt;.001) and “Me Time” (β=-.195, p=.016), with an explanatory power of 16%. Spousal involvement in childcare did not significantly correlate with parenting stress. However, satisfaction with childcare assistance from sources other than the spouse revealed a significant difference, indicating that having satisfactory childcare support, even if not for the spouse, can reduce parenting stress. Female married nurses with young children require support to secure sufficient “Me Time” between juggling work and family along with childcare. In particular, strengthen the social support system is needed that people can maintain their identity through “Me Time.”

The functioning of European social protection systems in fulfilling the needs of persons with disabilities during COVID-19 – a semi-systematic review

Previous research has shown that pre-existing social and economic inequalities deepened during the COVID–19 pandemic. Persons with disabilities were among the most affected social groups. This article focuses on the social support that persons with disabilities and their families received during the coronavirus pandemic in Europe. A semi-systematic literature review was conducted: 578 records were identified, and 31 empirical papers were included. Four themes emerged from thematic analysis: (1) challenges in formal social support and care, (2) challenges in informal social support and care, (3) access to information and assistive technology, (4) positive practices, innovative methods and opportunities. In public policy, health-related needs overshadowed the needs to be met by the social support system, revealing the already existing dysfunctions of social protection systems.