Sources Of Social Support Research Articles

Connected Communities | Learning lessons from person-centred community-based support services’ implementation: a mixed-methods study protocol.

Background Person-centred community-based support services (PCCBSS) are an array of non-clinical services provided by organisations such as NHS Trusts, voluntary sector organisations, or local authorities. All PCCBSS involve an individual (variously known as a 'social prescriber’, ‘link worker’, ‘signposter’, ‘navigator’, ‘connector’ or ‘neighbourhood coach’) who talks with a service user before directing them to a range of relevant community sources of social, emotional, and practical support. Despite much recent investment in social prescribing, and its increased prominence within the policy context across England, little is understood about how PCCBSS are implemented. Research is required across different contexts to describe PCCBSS implementation; in particular, how social care providers successfully interact to support the implementation of PCCBSS, and how services responded to circumstances imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Purpose The aim of this post-implementation mixed-methods study is to explore how PCCBSS are implemented and become part of usual working practice. Using three services in North West England as case studies, we will examine factors influencing PCCBSS implementation and establish where there is learning for the wider adult social care system. Focus The study comprises two work packages (WPs): WP1: collecting data by reviewing service documents from three PCCBSS case studies; WP2: interviewing staff and service users (≤20 participants per PCCBSS); Key implementation data will be systematically abstracted (from WPs1&2) into a coding frame; combining contextual determinants from the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) with process-related domains from Normalization Process Theory (NPT). Key outputs The findings from WP1 and WP2 will be presented in the form of an illustrated ‘pen portrait’, developed collaboratively with Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast (ARC NWC) public advisers, to illustrate how implementation evolved for each of the PCCBSS across key time-points in the process (initiation; operation; maintenance). The findings will also inform an online implementation toolkit providing recommendations for setting up future PCCBSS.

Perceived social support and symptoms of depression and anxiety in emerging adulthood: A Swedish prospective cohort study.

The transition from adolescence to young adulthood, often referred to as 'emerging adulthood', is a challenging period in life, and mental health problems are common. Although a large number of studies have shown that social support is linked with fewer mental health problems, few longitudinal studies have examined these associations during this life phase. The aim of the current study was to examine the associations between perceived social support from different sources - family, friends and significant other - at age 17-18 and symptoms of depression and anxiety at age 20-21. Data were obtained from the cohort study Futura01 based on a Swedish national sample of adolescents attending grade 9 in 2016/2017. We used survey information from 2019 (age 17-18) and 2022 (age 20-21) and linked registry information (N=2722). Symptoms of depression and anxiety were measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) at age 20-21. Perceived social support was measured by the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) at age 17-18. Control variables included sociodemographic characteristics and indicators of mental health problems at age 17-18. Binary logistic regressions were performed. When mutually adjusting for all sources of perceived social support, family support at age 17-18 had inverse associations with symptoms of both depression and anxiety at age 20-21. Perceived support from friends was associated with subsequent symptoms of anxiety only. Perceived social support can be a protective factor against mental health problems in emerging adulthood. The family serves a particularly important source of social support.

The Association Between Social Support and L2 Learning Engagement: The Mediating Roles of L2 Resilience and Control

ABSTRACTWith the rise of positive psychology in the field of second/foreign (L2) language acquisition, an increasing number of studies have delved into the factors influencing L2 engagement. While the interplay between environmental and personal factors has been acknowledged, we know little about whether and how different sources of social support influence L2 engagement via personal sources. To fill the gap, the current study recruited 649 Chinese English as a foreign language undergraduates and measured their perceived social support, L2 resilience, control, and engagement. Correlation analyses found that the four variables were positively correlated. Structural equation modeling analysis revealed that out of the three sources of social support, only teacher support had a direct impact on L2 engagement. Additionally, L2 resilience and control co‐mediated the path between teacher support and L2 engagement. Further inspection found that L2 resilience mediated the path from teacher support to all four dimensions of L2 engagement. However, L2 control only mediated the path from teacher support to cognitive and emotional engagement. The findings echoed the importance of teacher support in motivating L2 learning behaviors. Theoretical and pedagogical implications are also discussed.

Entre el hospital y la escuela: percepciones de niños, niñas, cuidadoras y docentes sobre la fase piloto de un aula hospitalaria en Colombia

The document is the product of a systematization of experiences that recovered the voices of the participants using interviews, focus groups and image associations. It was found that emergency remote education, used as a pilot of the program and employed due to the covid 19 pandemic, was a cultural artifact that facilitated the socialization of children with their peers and enabled the construction of meaningful learning anchored to their cognitive, affective, and social development. In addition, the hospital classroom was perceived as a source of emotional and social support for the children and their caregivers. Finally, the participating actors perceived that state entities should improve their responses to the educational demand of the hospitalized child population.

Stress, social support, and internalizing problems: Domains of stress and support

AbstractSocial support has been consistently identified as a protective factor for youth. Two competing models have been proposed regarding the role of social support: one in which social support provides benefits for all youth (General Benefits) and one where youth undergoing stress are especially protected (Stress‐Buffering). While the General Benefits model is supported, evidence for Stress‐Buffering is more mixed. These disparate findings may be attributed to how different sources of social support (i.e., parents, teachers, classmates, and friends) interact with different stressors in relation to internalizing problems. The current study investigated the relationships between different stressors (i.e., family, academic, and social), sources of social support, and internalizing problems in a sample of 166 middle school students. The General Benefits model was supported for all sources of social support. Surprisingly, vulnerability‐enhancing effects were found for high teacher and parent support, wherein the positive association between internalizing problems and social stress was strengthened with high teacher and parent support.

Social support for women undergoing induced abortions in Belgrade, Serbia

Abstract Background Having an unwanted pregnancy requires social support to help women ease the stress and stigma of having an induced abortion. The study aimed to investigate the main providers of social support to women having induced abortions. Methods Women undergoing induced abortions from 2022 to 2024 in a University clinic in Belgrade were invited to participate. Data were collected using an anonymous questionnaire examining socio-demographic data of women and sources of social support. Results This study included 433 women out of which 50.1% informed their mothers about the abortion, 23.1% their fathers, 87.3% their partners, 42.3% their friends, and 1.6% women told no one about the abortion. A total of 40% of women were supported to undergo the abortion by their parents, 80.1% by their partner, 34.9% by friends, and there were 2.1% of women who did not get any support to perform abortion. There were significantly more (p = 0.001) mothers (163 vs. 54), fathers (87 vs. 13), partners (331 vs. 47), and friends (136 vs. 47) who were informed about the abortion and also supported women compared to those who did not provide support. Getting support for the abortion by the parents was associated with younger age, not being in a relationship, and not having children. Support of the partner was linked to older age, higher education, being unemployed, being married with more children, and having abortions previously. Being supported by friends or not being supported at all did not correlate with socio-demographic data of the investigated women. Conclusions Women are generally supported by their family and friends in their decision to have induced abortions. This study identified socio-demographic factors that impact the choice of principal supporting person when undergoing induced abortion. Key messages • Partners are the main source of social support for married women who had induced abortion. • Parents are principal social supporters for single younger women undergoing induced abortion.

Impact of loneliness and social support on leisure physical activity in adolescents in Luxembourg

Abstract Background Healthy lifestyle includes a regular practice of vigorous physical activity in adolescents’ leisure time. Engaging in physical activity (PA) depends on individual, social and environmental factors. Previous literature has showed that social support and loneliness can influence the practice of PA. The study aims to analyse the relation between PA during leisure time and social support and loneliness among adolescents in Luxembourg. Methods The study includes 7049 adolescents from the Health Behaviours in School-aged Children (HBSC) Luxembourg 2022 survey. PA in leisure time was categorised according to WHO recommendations for vigorous physical activity. Perceived social support (friends, family, teacher, and classmate) was dichotomised in high support and in low/medium and loneliness in feel often lonely and not feel often lonely. It was executed a binomial logistic regression to analyse the PA levels in leisure time by loneliness and social support, controlling by age, migration background, perceived wealth, and family structure, split by gender. Results In Luxembourg, boys who perceived high support from most of the sources and didn’t feel often lonely had higher chances to reach WHO recommendations for PA during leisure time (e.g. loneliness: OR = 1.38, CI95%[1.11-1.74]; family support: OR = 1.31, CI 95%[1.10-1.56]), except for teacher support (OR = 0.79, CI95%[0.67-0.93]). In contrast, girls who only perceived high support from classmates (OR = 1.21, CI95%[1.05-1.4]) and teachers (OR = 1.19, CI95%[1.01-1.38]) had higher chances to be physically active. Conclusions This is the first study to investigate the impact of social support and loneliness among adolescents in Luxembourg. Future research should investigate social-related barriers and facilitators of PA during leisure time. Key messages • Understanding adolescents social support can guide towards effective strategies that promote physical activity during leisure time. • Boys benefit from several social support sources, while girls thrive with encouragement from classmates and teachers to stay physically active in leisure time.

Social participation and depression among resettled Syrian refugees: examining a moderated mediation of social support and bonding or bridging social capital.

Aspects of social capital, including social participation and social support, are among the factors influencing refugee mental health after resettlement. However, the mechanisms by which these aspects interact with one another and affect mental health remain unclear. This study investigates whether social participation influences depressive symptoms via social support and whether this influence is more prominent for Syrian refugees participating primarily in coethnic (bonding) networks compared to cross-ethnic (bridging) networks during the early stages of resettlement. Using data from a cohort of 464 Syrian refugees recently resettled in Sweden, a moderated mediation analysis was conducted with multigroup structural equation modelling to investigate the mediatory role of social support in the association between social participation and depressive symptoms as well as the moderating role of bonding networks (social participation with other Syrians) versus bridging networks (social participation with Swedes) in this relationship. Frequent social participation, compared to rare or no participation, was significantly associated with lower depressive symptoms, regardless of whether participation included a broad or limited range of activities. Social support only mediated this relationship for those with primarily bonding networks, indicating that the mediation itself was moderated by network type. While participating in both bridging and bonding networks was associated with lower depressive symptoms, bonding networks amplified the effect of social participation on depressive symptoms via increased social support, resulting in an overall twofold decrease in depressive symptoms compared to those with bridging networks. These findings indicate that the frequency of social participation may be a more important consideration for fostering mental well-being in recently resettled refugees than the specific types of activities. Furthermore, while both bonding and bridging social networks confer mental health benefits, access to coethnic networks in early resettlement appears to provide a particularly crucial source of social support.

Swinging Pendulum: The Social Adaptation of Returnees from Universities

College teachers now have more opportunities to engage in transnational education as people enter a new era of globalization and the shift toward a knowledge-based society. However, they also face various challenges in social adaptation. It has become a critical issue to enhance the sense of belonging and career resilience of the returnees from universities. By using a qualitative research method with the data from a respective provincial university in China, this study aims to explore the process and influencing factors of the social adaptation of returnees and finds that the social adaptation of returnees has gone through the process of longing, division, adjustment, and integration, which varies with individual and cultural differences. Social adaptation is similar to the swing and vibration of a clock. The working environment is the primary source of adverse cultural impact and ones social network support is negatively associated with social adaptation. Also, self-efficacy and informal social support networks play key roles in the adaptation process. To mitigate the re-entry shock, recommendations include optimizing work environments, providing emotional counseling, and enhancing organizational structures.

Construction and Validation of Academic Support Scale in Middle School (ASSMS)

Research on social support in China has been relatively comprehensive as psychological development cannot be separated from the social environment. Family, teachers, and friends are the main sources of social support for middle school students. If we can fully utilize the academic support provided by families, teachers, and classmates in daily life, improve students’ personal efficacy, stimulate their learning motivation and desire, and provide corresponding emotional, resource, behavioral, and willingness support for middle school students, it will help them better enhance their learning adaptability, increase their investment in learning, and then improve their learning consciousness, ultimately promoting the enhancement of academic achievement and the development of their abilities. Therefore, based on the existing scales of social support and academic support, this study determined the academic support scale for middle school students, exploring the source of academic support from four dimensions: willingness support, resource support, emotional support, and behavioral support. Based on a literature review and questionnaire, a formal scale was formed to measure the academic support of middle school students. In total, 762 students from two middle schools in Shijiazhuang and Hengshui were selected as subjects for data analysis. Exploratory factor analysis showed that the scale was composed of four factors: willingness support, resource support, emotional support, and behavioral support, with a cumulative contribution rate of 54.15%. The factor loadings of the items ranged from 0.423 to 0.783. The indicators obtained by confirmatory factor analysis were χ2/df of 2.98, RMSEA of 0.072, GFI of 0.841, IFI of 0.902, TLI of 0.891, and CFI of 0.901. The Cronbach’s α coefficient was 0.955, the Spearman–Brown coefficient was 0.939, and the correlation coefficients between each dimension and the total scale were 0.892–0.945. The results show that the reliability and validity of the scale are within the acceptable range, in line with the standards of measurement, and can be used as a tool to measure the academic support of middle school students. This measurement can be used to evaluate the multidimensional academic support systems in middle schools and inform the development of targeted interventions to promote student success and well-being.

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.

Adolescents' offline and online social support: A study on latent groups and their relationship with mental health.

The internet has become a common space for adolescents to connect with others and find information. However, it remains unclear whether online encounters can serve as new sources of social support for Chinese adolescents. The present study aimed to identify distinct patterns in Chinese adolescents' social support from both offline and online sources and to examine how these patterns relate to individual and family factors and adolescents' mental health conditions. Data were obtained from a cross-sectional survey of 1031 Chinese adolescents (47.1% female, mean age = 13.67) in Foshan, Guangdong province. Latent profile analysis was performed with Mplus. Associations between the identified classes and auxiliary variables were examined with the "R3STEP" procedure and the DCON command in Mplus. We identified four groups. Three groups showed consistent patterns in terms of receiving social support from offline and online sources, namely, the high support group (24.8%), moderate support group (43.8%), and low support group (15.3%), respectively. The fourth group received a moderate level of offline but low level of online support (16%), named the moderate offline-low online support group. The groups differed in individual and family characteristics. Higher support was associated with higher life satisfaction, lower depression, and social anxiety, but also higher problematic internet use. Overall, the moderate offline-low online support group showed better mental health than the other groups. Our study extends social support research by revealing heterogeneity in adolescents' social support patterns. The findings encourage a balanced use of offline and online support.

Exploring the relationship between neurologists and older persons with multiple sclerosis through the lens of social support theory.

Although healthcare practitioners (HCPs) are a valuable source of social support, research on support provided by neurologists to older persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) remains limited. To explore expectations of pwMS aged 55 years or older regarding MS care and to identify support types, met and unmet needs within their relationship with neurologists. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, we analyzed survey data from Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Registry participants. Quantitative data included Likert scales gauging the importance of various aspects of MS care for pwMS both in and out of neurological care. Qualitative data were derived from three open-ended questions, focusing on neurologist-provided support for pwMS in neurological care. Data underwent descriptive and deductive thematic analysis, using Cutrona and Suhr framework for coding social support. Among the 286 participants (median age 61.0 years, interquartile range (IQR) 57.0-66.0; median disease duration 23.5 years, IQR 15.0-31.0), 84.6% (N = 244) were under neurological care. Quantitative findings highlighted the significance of HCP expertise and consultation time. Qualitative analysis identified all social support domains in the neurologist-pwMS relationship, with informational support being most prevalent, followed by emotional support. Neurologists' expertise, availability, comprehensive advising, listening, and validation emerged as key themes. Unmet needs were relatively infrequent and concerned insufficient information on complementary medicine, empathy, and understanding of symptoms like fatigue. Older pwMS see neurologists as adequate providers of comprehensive support and particularly value neurologists' sufficient availability, informational and emotional support. Areas for improvement include attention to complementary medicine and empathy.

Negative ties, social support buffering, and loneliness: Findings from a cross-national survey

This study examines the independent and interactive effects of perceived social support (positive ties) and relational stress (negative ties) on loneliness in later life. To that end, we differentiate the sources of social support, tap multiple items to measure relational stress, and analyze a large cross-national dataset containing probability samples of older adults across 28 countries ( N = 12,449). Our analysis demonstrates that the relationship between perceived social support and loneliness is source specific. A key finding is that perceived social support particularly from family is negatively associated with loneliness. Older adults who name friends and ‘others’ (e.g., coworkers, neighbors, acquaintances) as the most important source of support exhibit higher levels of loneliness than those who choose kin members. By contrast, relational stress, regardless of its source, is positively associated with loneliness. Moreover, this positive relationship between relational stress and loneliness is stronger for those who select others as the primary source of social support, lending credence to the concept of reverse buffering. Taken together, our findings underscore the importance of the sources of social positivity and social negativity in examining the interrelationships between positive ties, negative ties, and loneliness in later life.

Depressive symptoms, loneliness and social support in healthcare employees: does the source of support matter?

Purpose Depressive symptoms are a risk factor for loneliness, while sources of perceived social support from family and friends are protective factors; however, the complex mechanisms behind these factors have not been examined among health-care employees in Portugal. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the indirect effect of perceived social support from family and friends on the association between depressive symptoms and loneliness. Design/methodology/approach Health-care employees (n = 279; 242 female and 37 male) from 12 health-care institutions in Portugal participated in this cross-sectional study. The SPSS program with PROCESS macro (Model 6) was used to test the hypothesis regarding the indirect effect analysis. Findings Bootstrap analysis found that family as a source of social support had an indirect effect in the relationship between depressive symptoms and loneliness. Similarly, depressive symptoms had a significant indirect effect on loneliness through the indirect role of social support from friends. Moreover, it was found that the relationship of family and friends as sources of social support mediated the association of the aforementioned variables. Originality/value The findings of this study underscore the important role of depressive symptoms on perceived social support from family and friends, leading to loneliness, which is a public health concern among health-care employees in Portugal.

Enhancing Athletic Well-Being: Unravelling the Impact of Social Support

Enhancing athletic well-being is integral to optimizing sports performance and overall health. Social support serves as a vital component in fostering athletic well-being, offering emotional, tangible, and informational assistance to athletes. This study examines the social support experienced by SUKMA athletes, focusing on support from friends, family, and significant others throughout their sports engagement. The primary objective is to explore the relationship between social support and psychological well-being among SUKMA athletes in Negeri Sembilan. A sample of 298 athletes completed the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and Psychological Well-being Scale. Findings reveal family support as the predominant source of social support, followed by significant others and friends. Notably, significant others exhibit a significant relationship with all elements of psychological well-being. Further research should delve into the nuanced dynamics of social support in athletic contexts through longitudinal and qualitative studies. Strategies to bolster social support networks within sports settings are recommended to enhance athletes' mental health and performance. Moreover, the study lays the groundwork for future research to explore the complexities of social support in athletic environments, advocating for longitudinal and qualitative approaches to better understand these dynamics.

Teenage pregnancy: when digital social networks support becoming a mother

The onset of pregnancy during adolescence brings with it upheavals for the body, identity, family and society. This particular context can make some teenagers psychopathologically fragile, while others adapt perfectly. When these mothers-to-be receive support, their adjustment to pregnancy seems to be facilitated. At present, it seems easy for teenagers to maintain contacts and thus benefit from a form of support on digital social networks. Recently discussed in the literature, the latter could represent a source of social support in this type of pregnancy, but also of support for the identity process of becoming a mother.

Nursing outcomes and social support intervention for diabetes self-management: consensus study

Highlights Self-management of type 2 diabetes allows for better health outcomes, maintains independence, and improves quality of life for longer periods of time. Nursing interventions help professionals accurately assess the health status and outcomes of the target population while providing scientific evidence. The nursing professional is a significant source of social support in the self-management of diabetes mellitus. The outcomes achieved by patients are the most important indicators of quality in health care, allowing clarifying nursing knowledge and determining the effectiveness of care. Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalent chronic noncommunicable diseases in the world. Objective: To validate by expert consensus the Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) self-management: diabetes (1619) and social support (1504), as well as to validate the intervention of social support for adults in the self-management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). Materials and Methods: A consensus study. Several phases were delimited for validation: the first was to validate the results and indicators; the second was to construct and validate the conceptual and operational definitions; and the magnitude of the selected indicators; and the third was to design and validate the intervention of social support for adults in the self-management of DM2. Results: 28 indicators were selected and validated by experts out of the 44 that make up the nursing outcome of self-management: diabetes, and 9 indicators out of the 12 that make up the social support outcome, both with a Content Validity Index (CVI) of 0.98. As for the intervention, a social support intervention was designed for the self-management of DM2, individualized, and made up of 4 sessions. The components of the intervention include generalities of DM2, healthy life habits, safe care, and emotional support. Discussion: Nursing professionals must evaluate people who experience diabetes, and their capacity for self-management and social support in order to provide appropriate interventions and evaluate their effectiveness. Conclusions: The study significantly evidenced the validation of the two nursing outcomes and their respective indicators, added to the conceptual and operational definitions, and their magnitude. How to cite this article: Garizábalo-Dávila Claudia Milena, Cañon-Montañez Wilson, Rodríguez-Acelas Alba Luz. Nursing Outcomes and Social Support Intervention for Diabetes Self-management: Consensus Study. Revista Cuidarte. 2024;15(3):e3742. https://doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.3742

Association Between Source of Social Support and Depression Among Nursing Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Nursing students have a higher risk of depression due to their already high academic burden, social isolation, pandemic loneliness, abrupt online learning, and financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Although the disruption of social network patterns during the pandemic has been observed in previous studies, it is still not fully understood which source of social support is associated with depression among nursing students. Purpose: This study aimed to assess the correlations between sources of social support and depression among nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.Methods: An online cross-sectional study was conducted between May-September 2021. Nursing students (n=734) from seven universities across four provinces in Indonesia were recruited as participants using convenience sampling methods. Data were obtained through online questionnaires consisting of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) to assess social support, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) to assess depression. Spearman-Rank correlation tests were used to examine the correlations between sources of social support and depression. Results: Most of the nursing students (85.1%) were female with a mean age of 19.94 years (SD=1.42). Many nursing students (n=313; 42.6%) experienced depression. Most of the students (n=465; 63.4%) perceived high family support, moderate friends (n=415; 56.5%) and significant others' support (n=437; 59.5%). Of the three sources of social support (family, friends, and significant others), only family support had a significant inverse correlation with depression (Rho=-0.492, p&lt;0.001).Conclusion: Family support had a significant inverse and moderate correlation with depression among nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings provided information to nursing educators to incorporate a strategy to maintain robust family support and regular depression assessments as part of the online learning curriculum. Therefore, it can be used to ameliorate depression among nursing students.

Connected and supported: a scoping review of how online communities provide social support for breast cancer survivors.

To (i) assess how and to what extent online communities are used among breast cancer survivors (BCS) as a source of social support, (ii) describe the kind of support BCS access through online communities, and (iii) explore how these communities foster social support for BCS that promotes well-being and reduces the challenges of survivorship. We conducted a scoping review. A professional librarian performed a comprehensive search in multiple databases from January 2010 to May 2023. The review process adhered to the Johana Briggs Institute's method guidelines and the PRISMA-ScR reporting system. Fifteen studies were included. Participants used social media, cancer support communities, message boards, or websites for information and emotional support. Qualitative findings resulted in four themes: to reassure; to empower; to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion; and to demonstrate for BCS the drawbacks of online support. We underscore that a variety of internet websites and social media platforms are valuable for and appreciated by BCS, especially as a source of social support and human connectedness. Our study raises the existing gap in cultural/ethnic representation in this field and shows that institutional and organizational efforts are needed to address gaps in information regarding access to social support for multiethnic BCS women. This data synthesis will empower the BCS community by sharing how they can strengthen and support their peers and community via their participation in online communities that connect and support cancer survivors in healthcare spaces.