Sufficient Social Support Research Articles

Social Support and Quality of Life Patients with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

Social support is a fundamental element of every individual’s life. It promotes the feeling of being loved, valued, and respected, especially for the person with HIV/AIDS infection. Quality of life is the ability of an individual to have a good and regular life. Health and well-being are the key factors in gaining high quality of life. Therefore, to attain an appropriate quality of life, giving social support to patients with HIV/AIDS is compulsory. This research investigated the relationship between social support and HIV/AIDS patients’ quality of life. This study used a correlational design associated with a cross-sectional approach. This research involved all of the patients with HIV/AIDS in Yayasan Cahaya Kasih Peduli AIDS WPA Turen. The data analysis used the Spearman rank correlation test. The finding of the research showed that 1 (2.2%) obtained less social support, 9 (20.0%) obtained sufficient social support, and 35 (77.8%) obtained optimal social support. However, life quality 1 (2.2%) assimilates low life quality, 10 (22.2%) assimilates an average life quality, and 34 (75.6%) assimilates a high life quality. The result from the Spearman rank correlation test appeared with the signification value (sig)= 0.000 < 0.05, and then H1 was accepted; hence it was discovered that there is a positive correlation between social support and quality of life in HIV/AIDS patients.
 Keywords: social support, quality of life, and patients with HIV/AIDS

How social capital matters for receiving social support: on the complementary role of civil society in the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT The Covid-19 pandemic has created a widespread need for social support. Similar to previous crises, we can observe activation in society to meet these needs: citizens have offered practical, emotional, and financial support, often within their social networks, but also to strangers and civil society organizations. In this paper, we examine the role of social capital in receiving social support during the Covid-19 pandemic in Germany using unique micro-level survey data. We investigate the importance of three aspects of social capital – the size of one’s support network, social trust, and organizational membership – for receiving (sufficient) social support. We focus on three types of support networks: family and friends, neighbors, and civil society actors. First, we find that while all three elements of social capital matter for receiving social support, a larger support network and organizational embeddedness matter primarily for receiving support beyond family and friendship networks. Second, civil society actors have been less likely to provide sufficient support in the pandemic, mainly acting in addition to strong ties and providing complementary support for individuals in particular need.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Supportive Parenting App on Parental Outcomes: Randomized Controlled Trial

Adjusting to new or additional parenting responsibilities increases stress and affects parental well-being. Existing research has highlighted both parents' desire to receive more support. It has also been found that receiving sufficient social support enhances parenting outcomes. With the increasing popularity of mobile health apps, a Supportive Parenting App (SPA) intervention was developed to fulfill the support needs of parents during the perinatal period. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the SPA on parental outcomes during the perinatal period. A 2-group pretest and repeated posttest randomized controlled trial was conducted wherein 200 couples (N=400 mothers and fathers) were recruited from 2 public health care institutions in Singapore. Parents were randomly assigned to intervention (100/200, 50%) or control (100/200, 50%) groups. The SPA intervention consisted of a mobile app-based psychoeducation and peer support program to support parents from pregnancy to 6 months post partum. The outcome measures included postnatal depression, anxiety, parental bonding, parental self-efficacy, perceived social support, and parenting satisfaction. Data were collected at baseline (at >24 weeks of gestation-age of viability in Singapore) and at the first, second, fourth, sixth, ninth, and 12th month post partum. Linear mixed models were used to compare parental outcomes between the groups, and a linear mixed model for repeated measures was used to examine within-group changes. Parents in the intervention group mostly showed better outcomes compared with those in the control group. Parents in the intervention group had higher perceived social support than those in the control group at the first (effect size=1.59, 95% CI 0.38-2.80; Cohen standardized effect size=1.31; P=.01), second (effect size=1.98, 95% CI 1.09-2.88; Cohen standardized effect size=2.21; P=.003), and fourth (effect size=2.57, 95% CI 1.62-3.51; Cohen standardized effect size=2.72; P=.048) months post partum. However, parents in the intervention group showed significantly poorer parental bonding (effect size=1.67, 95% CI 0.24-3.11; Cohen standardized effect size=1.16; P=.02). The other parental outcomes did not differ significantly between groups. The scores of mothers and fathers also differed significantly for all outcomes except parental self-efficacy. Parents in the intervention group generally fared better, especially regarding perceived social support. However, the lack of statistical significance in most outcomes showed the limited effectiveness of the SPA intervention, which may be because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Parental differences in outcome scores suggest that mothers and fathers have different support needs; therefore, interventions should be tailored accordingly. Further improvements and evaluations are needed to examine the effectiveness of the SPA intervention in enhancing parental outcomes. Despite statistically insignificant results, limitations should be considered to further improve mobile health app-based interventions such as SPA, as they could serve as reliable and convenient sources of support for parents. Clinicaltrails.gov NCT4706442; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04706442.

Financial toxicity following surgical treatment for colorectal cancer: a cross-sectional study.

Financial toxicity has become a global public health issue. The purpose of the study is to investigate and analyze the influencing factors of financial toxicity in patients with non-metastatic colorectal cancer. A convenient sample of 250 patients with stage I-III colorectal cancer was investigated in the study. They completed a set of questionnaires, including the Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity questionnaire, the Perceived Social Support Scale, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Univariate and multivariate linear regression were performed to investigate the influencing factors of financial toxicity. Over half (52.8%, n = 132) of the colorectal cancer survivors experienced financial toxicity. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the factors associated with financial toxicity were young age, unemployment, low annual household income, chemotherapy, and the lack of sufficient social support (p < 0.05). Financial toxicity is common among non-metastatic colorectal cancer survivors. Young age, lower annual household income, unemployment, chemotherapy, and insufficient social support were associated with financial toxicity.

Patient preferences of patient selection criteria for upper extremity vascularized composite allotransplantation: A qualitative study.

Upper extremity vascularized composite allotransplantation is a life-enhancing reconstructive treatment option that aims to improve recipients' quality of life and maximize function. This study assessed upper extremity vascularized composite allotransplantation patient selection criteria perceptions among individuals with upper extremity limb loss. The perceptions of individuals with upper extremity limb loss on patient selection criteria may enable vascularized composite allotransplantation centers to improve criteria to avoid mismatched expectations about the posttransplant vascularized composite allotransplantation experience and outcomes. Realistic patient expectations may increase patient adherence, improve outcomes, and reduce vascularized composite allotransplantation graft loss. We conducted in-depth interviews with civilian and military service members with upper extremity limb loss and upper extremity vascularized composite allotransplantation candidates, participants, and recipients from three US institutions. Interviews assessed perceptions of patient selection criteria for suitability as a candidate for upper extremity vascularized composite allotransplantation. Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. A total of 50 individuals participated (66% participation rate). Most participants were male (78%), White (72%), with a unilateral limb loss (84%), and a mean age of 45 years. Six themes emerged regarding upper extremity vascularized composite allotransplantation patient selection criteria, including support for candidates who: (1) are of younger age, (2) are in good physical health, (3) have mental stability, (4) are willing to "put in the work," (5) have specific amputation characteristics, and (6) have sufficient social support. Patients had preferences about selecting candidates with unilateral versus bilateral limb loss. Our findings suggest that numerous factors, including medical, social, and psychological characteristics, inform patients' perceptions of patient selection criteria for upper extremity vascularized composite allotransplantation. Patient perceptions of patient selection criteria should inform the development of validated screening measures that optimize patient outcomes.

Factors Influencing Adoption and Use of Telemedicine Services in Rural Areas of China: Mixed Methods Study.

The shortage of medical resources in rural China reflects the health inequity in resource-limited settings, whereas telemedicine could provide opportunities to fill this gap. However, evidence of patient acceptance of telemedicine services from low- and middle-income countries is still lacking. We aimed to understand the profile of patient end-user telemedicine use and identify factors influencing telemedicine service use in rural China. Our study followed a mixed methods approach, with a quantitative cross-sectional survey followed by in-depth semistructured interviews to describe telemedicine use and its associated factors among rural residents in Guangdong Province, China. In the quantitative analysis, explanatory variables included environmental and context factors, household-level factors, individual sociodemographic factors, access to digital health care, and health needs and demand factors. We conducted univariate and multivariate analyses using Firth logistic regression to examine the correlations of telemedicine uptake. A thematic approach was used, guided by the Social Cognitive Theory for the qualitative analysis. A total of 2101 households were recruited for the quantitative survey. With a mean age of 61.4 (SD 14.41) years, >70% (1364/2101, 72.94%) of the household respondents were male. Less than 1% (14/2101, 0.67%) of the respondents reported experience of using telemedicine. The quantitative results supported that villagers living with family members who had a fever in the past 2 weeks (adjusted odds ratio 6.96, 95% CI 2.20-21.98; P=.001) or having smartphones or computers (adjusted odds ratio 3.71, 95% CI 0.64-21.32; P=.14) had marginally higher telemedicine uptake, whereas the qualitative results endorse these findings. The results of qualitative interviews (n=27) also supplemented the potential barriers to telemedicine use from the lack of knowledge, trust, demand, low self-efficacy, and sufficient physical and social support. This study found extremely low use of telemedicine in rural China and identified potential factors affecting telemedicine uptake. The main barriers to telemedicine adoption among rural residents were found, including lack of knowledge, trust, demand as well as low self-efficacy, and insufficient physical and social support. Our study also suggests strategies to facilitate telemedicine engagement in low-resource settings: improving digital literacy and self-efficacy, building trust, and strengthening telemedicine infrastructure support.

The Incidence of Postpartum Depression and Associated Factors Among Iranian Healthy Mothers: Findings of a Prospective Cohort Study

Background: The occurrence of some psychological and emotional crisis in pregnancy may lead to postpartum depression in mothers. Objectives: This prospective cohort study aimed to estimate the incidence of postpartum depression (PPD) and its associated factors among Iranian mothers. Methods: A total of 164 women in their third trimester of pregnancy were recruited through quota sampling from February to July 2018 in Kerman, Iran. Women suffering from depression were excluded. The remained healthy women (n = 164) were traced up to two months after the delivery. The incidence of PPD was calculated by dividing the number of new cases of depression within the postpartum period by the number of initial healthy mothers. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was applied to detect PPD. The Cox regression model was used to assess PPD-related factors. Crude and adjusted hazard ratios, as well as their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were reported. P-values of &lt; 0.05 were considered statistically significant. SPSS version 22 was used to analyze the data. Results: The incidence of PPD within the two months after delivery was 9.8% and was higher among mothers who had high-school diploma or lower (11.9% vs. 6.4%), had unplanned pregnancy (25% vs. 9.2%), underwent cesarean section (11.3% vs. 8.7%), or were multiparous (10.6% vs. 6.3%). The mean (SD) social support was lower among mothers with depression (69.1 ± 13.1 vs. 77.4 ± 16.6). There was significant association between type of delivery (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] = 0.57, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.36; 0.97) and social support (AHR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.93; 0.97) with PPD. Conclusions: In sum, the concerning incidence of PPD highlighted the need for establishment and strengthening of screening programs during the post-partum period. Families’ knowledge about the significance of providing sufficient social support for mothers may have prevented this disorder and therefore, it was recommended that it should be incorporated into prenatal cares.

Are you a trend setter or a straggler? Social drivers and customer shift toward co-creating value with self-service technologies

PurposeFuture service interactions are anticipated to use humanoid robots in a society that is shifting to a digitalized era. Currently, it is evident that many businesses are replacing service interactions with self-service technologies (SSTs). This movement creates substantial societal changes that researchers have not paid sufficient attention to comprehend. In this setting, the purpose of this study is to examine the social drivers that influence customer mobility toward co-creating value via SSTs. The study also seeks to discover variations in customers' willingness and capacity to adopt SSTs.Design/methodology/approachTo fulfill the research aims, a qualitative technique was adopted, with semistructured interviews conducted with 25 SST users from varied demographic backgrounds. To recruit individuals for the study, a nonprobabilistic purposeful sampling technique was adopted, with the goal of employing information-rich instances. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis.FindingsThe study identified eight social drivers that are important in the customer transition toward co-creating value with SSTs. According to the study, SSTs are characterized as a social trend in which adoption is accepted (social norm) and modifies social connections in a new direction. Using SSTs has evolved into a socializing tool that gives people social acknowledgment. Some people see SSTs as social pressure, putting them at a disadvantage if they do not adopt. People, on the other hand, acquire sufficient social support and independence to use SSTs. Customers were categorized into four groups depending on their willingness and ability to embrace SSTs: trendsetters, dreamers, old-fashioned and stragglers.Practical implicationsIn practice, service providers can use this knowledge to successfully promote their SSTs and create enhanced client experiences through technological interfaces.Originality/valueThe study adds new knowledge by identifying social determinants in customer shifts toward SSTs, a phenomenon that has not been studied previously, and it adds to marketing theory by proposing a typology to group customers based on their ability and willingness to embrace SSTs.

STUDY OF THE FUNCTIONING OF UKRAINIAN FOSTER FAMILIES DISPLACED TO THE SWISS CONFEDERATION DURING THE WAR IN UKRAINE

A terrible war is raging in Ukraine as a result of Russian aggression against the Ukrainian independent state. Millions of people are under threat. Families and children are displaced within and outside the country. The situation of displacement is extremely difficult even under favorable conditions, and during martial law its peculiarities are complicated by hostilities, which leads to excessive psychological trauma of displaced persons. Friendly European countries show solidarity and accept refugees. Switzerland, within its administrative decisions and at the request of the civilian population, also creates safe conditions for the stay of Ukrainian citizens on its territory during the hostilities on Ukrainian soil. A special category of Ukrainian citizens who have an urgent need for safe conditions are Ukrainian foster families, as they are extremely vulnerable in war conditions due to the likelihood of losing their families again. The purpose of the article is to study the peculiarities of the life of Ukrainian foster families displaced to the Swiss Confederation during the war in Ukraine. To achieve this goal, the following research methods were used: at the first stage, we carried out a theoretical analysis, in particular, an analysis of the regulatory and administrative provisions of the Swiss Confederation regarding persons in need of protection during hostilities and in their native country and semantic analysis of concepts to identify the standards of support for Ukrainian foster families. The article proves that the full-fledged life of Ukrainian foster families in the territory of the Swiss Confederation is based on international and territorial legislative norms and is ensured through the following components: favorable living conditions, an adequate level of material support, sufficient educational level, medical, social and psychological support.

Grounded in Community: Development of a Birth Justice-Focused Volunteer Birth Companion Program.

Continuous labor support is an evidence-based practice demonstrated to improve birth outcomes, particularly when provided by a trained doula or birth companion. Access to doula services designed to meet the needs of historically underserved and diverse communities can mitigate the negative effects of structural racism and health disparities in perinatal care. Unfortunately, continuous labor support by a companion of choice is not universally supported. This leaves individuals with limited resources unable to access services from a trained doula. Volunteer birth companion programs are one model for increasing access to continuous labor support by bringing the community into the hospital. This article describes a birth justice-focused volunteer birth companion program that evolved out of a multistakeholder collaboration between community birth workers, local reproductive justice organizations, and hospital-based providers, staff, and administrators in direct response to community needs. This program is unique in its collaborative development, grounding in core values, and design of a reproductive justice-focused curriculum that includes training in diversity, inclusion, and care for clients with a history of trauma or perinatal substance use. Key takeaways include recommendations to center client needs, consider sustainability, and embrace flexibility and change. Discussion includes recognition of the strengths and limitations of a volunteer-based model, including acknowledgment that volunteer birth work, while filling an important gap, necessitates the privilege of having sufficient time, economic freedom, and social support. Ensuring universal insurance coverage for doula services has the potential to increase access to continuous labor support, improve birth outcomes, and diversify the birth workforce.

Prevalence and Correlates of Likely Major Depressive Disorder among Medical Students in Alberta, Canada.

Background: Medical students are exposed to multiple factors during their academic and clinical studies that contribute to depression. Aims: This study aims to examine the prevalence and correlates of likely major depressive disorder (MDD) among medical students. Methods: This study utilized a descriptive cross-sectional design. Data were collected through a self-administered online survey, which included questions on sociodemographic characteristics and likely MDD using the PHQ-9. Data were analyzed using a descriptive, Chi-square test and logistic regression model. Results: There were 246 medical students who participated in the survey. The majority were females, 155 (65.1%); Caucasian, 158 (66.4%); and in a relationship, 168 (70.5%). The prevalence of likely MDD was 29.1%. Respondents who did not feel supported and respondents who were neutral about their social support, friends, and family, were 11 and 4 times more likely to experience MDD than those who felt well supported (OR = 11.14; 95% CI: 1.14–108.80) and (OR = 4.65; 95% CI: 1.10–19.56), respectively. Conclusions: This study suggests a high prevalence of likely MDD among medical students who do not feel they have sufficient social support from friends and family. Social adjustments, including talking to friends and family and participating in leisure activities, could reduce the level of depression among medical students.

Association of social support with negative emotions among Chinese adolescents during Omicron-related lockdown of Shenzhen City: The roles of rumination and sleep quality.

ObjectiveAdolescents are likely to suffer from negative emotions such as depression and anxiety due to the rapid development of biological, cognitive and social changes. Previous studies have indicated possible risk (rumination) and protective (good social support and high sleep quality) factors for depression and anxiety among this age group. The present study is the first to investigate the association between social support and negative emotions during the Outbreak of Omicron variant, on this basis, to further determine the mediating role of rumination and sleep quality on this link.MethodA total of 1,065 Chinese middle- and high-school students (51.5% female, Mage = 13.80, SD = 1.20) completed a psychosocial battery, including the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS), the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS). Serial multiple mediation analysis was conducted using PROCESS macro based on SPSS.ResultsSocial support, rumination, and sleep quality were significantly negatively correlated with negative emotional states (Ps < 0.05). Further, rumination and sleep quality were found to partially mediate the relationship between social support and negative emotional states.ConclusionsFor early detection and prevention of depression and anxiety, providing sufficient social support is necessary for adolescents, because rumination and sleep problems are reported during stressful periods, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Determinants of Community on Covid-19 Vaccine Participation in RT 01 RW 05, Ngadiluwih Village Kediri District

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid 19) is an infectious disease that is becoming a global pandemic. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of social support and trust on the participation of the Covid-19 vaccine in the community in RT 01 RW 05 Ngadiluwih Village, Kediri Regency. Purpose: The design of this study is an observational quantitative study with a cross sectional approach with the focus of the research directed at analyzing the effect of social support and trust on the participation of the Covid-19 vaccine in the community in RT 01 RW 05 Ngadiluwih Village, Kediri Regency. The total population is 62 respondents and a sample of 54 respondents is taken by using Simple Random Sampling technique. Methods: The findings showed that almost half of the respondents had sufficient social support category as many as 22 respondents (40.74%). Almost half of the respondents have confidence in the medium category as many as 25 respondents (46.30%). Most of the respondents participated in vaccination in the complete category as many as 30 respondents (55.56%). Results: Based on the results of the logistics regression analysis showing that the p-value of 0.001 it was concluded that there was an effect of social support on the participation of the Covid-19 vaccine in the community in RT 01 RW 05 Ngadiluwih Village, Kediri Regency. And the p-value of 0.004 &lt;0.05, H1 is accepted, so it can be concluded that there is an influence of trust on the participation of the Covid-19 vaccine in the community in RT 01 RW 05 Ngadiluwih Village, Kediri Regency. Conclusion: It is hoped that the community can carry out a complete COVID-19 vaccination, both vaccine 1 and vaccine 2, and even attempt to participate in conducting booster vaccines to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The relationship between ecological executive function and stigma among patients with epilepsy: The mediating effect of social support

ObjectiveStigma is a key determinant of mental health among patients with epilepsy (PWE). In prior work, many PWE have been found to exhibit impaired executive function (EF) and to lack sufficient social support. This study was developed to explore factors that may influence stigma in PWE with a focus on the associations among EF, social support, and stigma in this patient population. MethodsA questionnaire was administered to 121 patients with primary epilepsy as a means of collecting clinical and demographic details. The severity of EF impairment, social support levels, and stigma were analyzed using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult (BRIEF-A), the Social Support Rating Scale, and the Kilifi Stigma Scale for Epilepsy-Chinese (KSSE-C). Descriptive analyses were used to evaluate demographic details, and parameters associated with stigma were identified through multiple linear stepwise analyses. Spearman’s correlation analyses and moderated mediation analyses were utilized to examine relationships between impaired EF, social support, and stigma. Significant mediation effects were identified using the SPSS PROCESS macro via a bootstrap approach. ResultsUp to 95.9% of the 121 PWE in this study were affected by stigma, with differneces in stigma being associated with long-term residence (urban or rural), family monthly income, disease control status (controlled or uncontrolled), and medication types. Multiple stepwise linear regression analyses revealed that the number of years of education (t = - 4.58, P < 0.001), family monthly income per capita (t = −3.43, P = 0.001), and age of first episode (t = −2.71, P = 0.008) for PWE were negatively correlated with stigma scores, while long-term residence (t = 2.79, P = 0.006), course of disease (t = 3.65, P < 0.001), disease control (t = 2.79, P = 0.006), and types of medication (t = 2.73, P = 0.007) were positively correlated with stigma scores. Impaired EF was found to be significantly associated with stigma (β = 0.64, P < 0.001), and social support was able to mediate the association between stigma and impaired EF (β = 0.64, P < 0.001). Non-parametric bootstrap analysis results revealed the indirect impact of EF through social support (95% bootstrap CI = 0.11, 0.22), with the indirect influence of social support accounting for 44.3% of the overall effect of stigma. ConclusionsThese results offer new insight into the interactive mechanisms that underlie stigma and EF, in addition to clarifying the ability of social support to mediate this relationship. These data thus highlight valuable theoretical and methodological approaches to preventing stigma in PWE, suggesting that stigma in PWE can be effectively reduced by bolstering EF, and social support plays a mediating effect in this context.

The Meaning of Family Social Support For Covid-19 Survivor : A Phenomenological Study of Nomads who Affected by Covid-19

Family social support is a very valuable and significant social support in helping the process of recovering the health of a Covid-19 patient. This study aims to describe the perception of social support received by Covid-19 survivors who migrate. This study uses a qualitative approach with a phenomenological design. Participants involved in this study consisted of three participants who live in Indonesia, survivors of Covid-19, living far from family, and a minimum education level of high school. Samples were taken purposively, and the study was conducted in March 2021. This study found that two out of three participants hid the fact that they were positive for Covid-19 from their families. Therefore, the main source of social support for survivors who migrated came from their friends around them. Survivors receive various forms of social support during treatment, including instrumental support, emotional support, reward support, and social network support. This study concludes that each participant has felt sufficient social support even though they are far from their families.

Attachment and School Completion: Understanding Young People Who Have Dropped Out of High School and Important Factors in Their Re-Enrollment

When students drop out of high school, this is often negative for their development as well as for society, as those who drop out have an increased risk of unemployment, health problems, and social problems. The aim of the present study was to synthesize knowledge regarding processes related to school dropout in general and school re-enrollment in particular. We performed a narrative review of the literature, focusing on Norwegian and Nordic studies, but we also included studies from other countries when relevant. We discussed the findings in relation to attachment theory and our own research on the topic. As a result, we identified five main challenges to upholding education-related goals in long-term dropout processes: lack of relatedness, overchallenged self-regulation capacity, compensating for a history of failure, wounded learner identities, and coping with prolonged stress. In conclusion, the identified challenges converged on the importance of belonging and social support. The prerequisite for addressing the challenges seemed to be the establishment of a trustful relationship between the students who have dropped out and at least one teacher, and preferably also with other supportive adults. These relationships may provide sufficient social support and aid the students’ motivation to complete school.

"We want to live a little longer and our family want[s] us around": A summative content analysis of adherence to COVID-19-related guidelines using the Theoretical Domains Framework.

ObjectivePublic adherence to COVID‐19‐related government guidance varied during the initial lockdown in the UK, but the determinants of public adherence to such guidance are unclear. We capture spontaneous reflections on adherence to UK government guidance from a representative UK sample, and use the TDF to identify key determinants of COVID‐related behaviours.DesignThe design was cross‐sectional.MethodsQualitative data were collected from a large sample of UK adults (N = 2,252) via an online questionnaire as part of a wider survey about the UK public’s responses to the government’s COVID‐19‐related guidance. Summative content analysis was used to identify key guideline terms in the data, followed by latent analysis to interpret the underlying meanings behind the terms using the TDF as an analytical framework.ResultsSix TDF domains were identified in the data: Environmental Context and Resources; Beliefs about Consequences; Social Influences; Memory, Attention and Decision Processes; Emotion; and Knowledge. Although the samples were motivated and capable of adhering, limitations in their environments, resources, and social support mechanisms restricted behaviour. Self‐reported adherence was sensitive to positive and negative beliefs about the effectiveness of the measures, in addition to interpretations of the terms ‘essential’ and ‘necessary’ in the guidance.ConclusionsDespite extensive structural obstacles to adherence, the majority of the British public were able to follow government COVID‐19‐related instructions, provided they had sufficient resources, social support, and positive perceptions about the effectiveness of the measures. Ambiguities surrounding key terminology in the guidance left room for interpretation, which may have contributed to non‐adherence.

Causal model of the association of social support during pregnancy with a perinatal and postpartum depressive state: A nationwide birth cohort – the Japan Environment and Children's Study

BackgroundDespite many epidemiological studies on the relationship between social support during pregnancy and perinatal/postpartum depression, its impact remains unclear. Therefore, this study examined this association using a causal model of risk based on various levels of social support. MethodsParticipants were 88,711 mothers in an ongoing nationwide birth cohort study in Japan. Social support during pregnancy was set at four treatment levels. Depressive state was identified twice, with the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6; score ≥ 5) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS; score ≥ 9). With the highest level of social support set as reference, marginal structural models were fitted to derive counterfactual risk ratios (cRRs). ResultscRRs (95% CIs) for EPDS cases increased as the level of social support decreased, with values of 1.06 (0.99–1.13) for upper-middle, 1.30 (1.23–1.39) for lower-middle, and 1.61 (1.52–1.71) for low. Also, cRRs (95% CIs) at the second measurement (interaction) tended to increase as social support decreased, with values of 1.05 (0.97–1.13) for upper-middle, 1.05 (0.98–1.13) for lower-middle, and 1.10 (1.03–1.18) for low. The same tendency was observed in K6 cases. LimitationDepressive state was identified by self-administered questionnaire. ConclusionsLower social support during pregnancy is associated with increased counterfactual risk of perinatal/postpartum depressive state and worsened counterfactual spontaneous recovery over time. These findings highlight the importance of sufficient social support for preventing perinatal/postpartum depression and promoting recovery. Trial registrationUMIN000030786.

Social Support of Organ Donor Families in China: A Quantitative and Qualitative Study.

Background: Donor families experienced a difficult time during and after the process of organ donation. There is a necessity to understand the support they received and what they need to help them get through a painful time. This study aimed to investigate the social support level and social support needs of the donor families in China.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 102 donor families using a questionnaire to investigate their demographics and social support level. To further understand their social support needs, in-depth interviews were conducted among 9 donor families.Results: Findings of the study showed that (1) Most of the family members (74, 72.6%) lacked social support, and only a small number of families (28, 27.5%) received sufficient social support (2). The coping style had an impact on the overall social support level (P = 0.014) (3). There was a lack of emotional support, information support and material support toward the donor's family members. Both emotional support and material support are significantly needed.Conclusions: The overall social support level remained insufficient and the utilization degree of social support was low. Organ donor families are in desperate need of material and emotional support. The level of social support is largely influenced by the donor familie's coping style. Compared with a negative coping style, donor families who adopted a positive coping style acquire more social support.

"Nobody Listened". Mothers' Experiences and Needs Regarding Professional Support Prior to Their Admission to an Infant Mental Health Day Clinic.

Challenges during the perinatal period can lead to maternal distress, negatively affecting mother-infant interaction. This study aims to retrospectively explore the experiences and needs regarding professional support of mothers with difficulties in mother-infant interaction prior to their admission to an infant mental health day clinic. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 mothers who had accessed an infant mental health day clinic because of persistent severe infant regulatory problems impairing the wellbeing of the infant and the family. Data were transcribed and analyzed using the Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven (QUAGOL). Three themes were identified: ‘experience of pregnancy, birth, and parenthood’; ‘difficult care paths’; and ‘needs and their fulfillment’. The first theme consisted of three subthemes: (1) ‘reality does not meet expectations’, (2) ‘resilience under pressure’, and (3) ‘despair’. Mothers experienced negative feelings that were in contradiction to the expected positive emotions associated with childbirth and motherhood. Resilience-related problems affected the mother-child relationship, and infants’ regulatory capacities. Determined to find solutions, different healthcare providers were consulted. Mothers’ search for help was complex and communication between healthcare providers was limited because of a fragmented care provision. This hindered the continuity of care and appropriate referrals. Another pitfall was the lack of a broader approach, with the emphasis on the medical aspects without attention to the mother-child dyad. An integrated care pathway focusing on the early detection of resilience-related problems and sufficient social support can be crucial in the prevention and early detection of perinatal and infant mental health problems.