Sufficient Social Support Research Articles

Psychological functioning in children suspected for mitochondrial disease: the need for care

BackgroundMitochondrial diseases (MD) are generally serious and progressive, inherited metabolic diseases. There is a high comorbidity of anxiety and depression and limitations in daily functioning. The complexity and duration of the diagnostic process and lack of knowledge about prognosis leads to uncertainty. In this study, we investigated the psychological well-being of children who are suspected for MD and their parents.MethodsIn total 122 children suspected for MD and their parents, received questionnaires as part of standard clinical investigation.ResultsParent proxy report revealed a lower quality of life (QoL) compared to norms and even more physical problems compared to chronically ill patients. They also reported more behavioral problems in general and more internalizing problems compared to the norms. Most frequent reported somatic complaints were tiredness and pain. Parents did not report enhanced levels of stress regarding parenting and experienced sufficient social support. At the end of the diagnostic process, 5.7% of the children received the genetically confirmed diagnosis of MD, 26% showed non-conclusive abnormalities in the muscle biopsy, 54% did not receive any diagnosis, and the remaining received other diagnoses. Strikingly, children without a diagnosis showed equally QoL and behavioral problems as children with a diagnosis, and even more internalizing problems.ConclusionsThis study highlights the psychological concerns of children with a suspicion of MD. It is important to realize that as well as children with a confirmed diagnosis, children without a diagnosis are vulnerable since explanation for their complaints is still lacking.

Challenge of parents caring for children or adolescents with early-stage schizophrenia in China: A qualitative study.

To explore the challenges of parents caring for early-stage schizophrenia (ESS) children/adolescents in China. Thirteen parents of ESS subjects completed semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data. Seven themes emerged from the data: psychological shock and emotional burden; lack of disease knowledge and care skill; poor treatment compliance of the patient; difficulty getting along with the patient; conflict within the family or in the workplace; financial burden; and need sufficient social support. Each challenge was produced and influenced under the Chinese special social context. Professional support was needed to help patients with schizophrenia to cope with their situation promptly. Education initiatives should focus on mental health to prevent discrimination from society and enable people to recognize the early symptoms of schizophrenia in children. Telemedicine should be explored for application in the treatment of mental illness. Also, a broader nationwide healthcare policy would be needed to help to reduce the individual and societal financial burdens associated with schizophrenia.

Qualitative Analysis of the Disease Experience of Korean Older Men With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

The current qualitative study explored perceptions and experiences of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among Korean male older adults. Six older adults participated in a narrative group interview. Responses were analyzed to describe perceptions and experiences of COPD. Social stigma, blaming others and the environment, stress to bear alone, and adaptation and management emerged as relevant themes for adaptation to COPD. In relation to obstacles to healthy behaviors after adapting to COPD, emergent themes were adapting to symptoms, external environmental factors, alternative treatments, and insufficient resources. Facilitators of healthy behaviors were past symptom experience, personal volition, and advice from health professionals. Older adult men with COPD trying to adapt to the disease need sufficient resources and social support from families, social networks, and health professionals. Development of interventions for older adults with COPD should include knowledge and understanding of experience and needs. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 46(2), 49-56.].

Frontline Nurses’ Burnout, Anxiety, Depression, and Fear Statuses and Their Associated Factors During the COVID-19 Outbreak in Wuhan, China: A Big-Scale Cross-Sectional Study

Background: During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, frontline nurses face enormous mental health challenges. Epidemiological data on the mental health statuses of frontline nurses remain unknown. The aim of this study was to examine mental health (burnout, anxiety, depression, and fear) and their associated factors among frontline nurses who were caring for COVID-19 patients in Wuhan, China. Methods: A big-scale cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational study design was used. A total of 2,014 eligible frontline nurses from two hospitals in Wuhan, China, participated in the study. Besides sociodemographic and background data, a set of valid and reliable instruments were used to measure outcomes of burnout, anxiety, depression, fear, skin lesion, self-efficacy, resilience, and social support via the online survey in February 2020. Findings: On average, the participants had a moderate level of burnout and a high level of fear. About half of the nurses reported moderate and high work burnout, as shown in emotional exhaustion (n=1,218, 60.5%), depersonalization (n=853, 42.3%), and personal accomplishment (n=1,219, 60.6%). The findings showed that 288 (14.3%), 217 (10.7%), and 1,837 (91.2%) nurses reported moderate and high levels of anxiety, depression, and fear, respectively. The majority of the nurses (n=1,910, 94.8%) had one or more skin lesions, and 1,950 (96.8%) nurses expressed their frontline work willingness. Mental health outcomes were statistically positively correlated with skin lesion and negatively correlated with self-efficacy, resilience, social support, and frontline work willingness. Interpretation: The frontline nurses experienced a variety of mental health challenges, especially burnout and fear, which warrant attention and support from policymakers. Future interventions at the national and organisational levels are needed to improve mental health during this pandemic by preventing and managing skin lesions, building self-efficacy and resilience, providing sufficient social support, and ensuring frontline work willingness. Funding Statement: 2020 COVID-19 Emergency Response Special Fund from XMU & HUST Declaration of Interests: None. Ethics Approval Statement: Ethical approval was obtained from the participating hospitals’ ethical review boards as well as the last author’s university. All nurses provided consent by ticking the “yes” box to indicate their willingness to participate in the online survey. Voluntary participation and data confidentiality were emphasized. A token of appreciation of 50 RMB (equivalent to 7 USD) was provided to each participant via the WeChat red packet on the completion of the online survey.

Revisiting resilience: Examining the relationships between stress, social support, and drinking behavior among black college students with parental substance use disorder histories

The study examined the role social support plays in the relationship between life stress and problem alcohol use behavior in a sample of Black emerging adults in college with histories of parental substance use disorders (SUD). Participants were 1,007 Black emerging adult college students, recruited as part of a larger multi-wave, multisite, study investigating coping behavior among emerging adults in college. Findings suggest that Black college students with parental SUDs engage in riskier and coping motivated drinking behaviors more than those without such histories, and their alcohol use behaviors are more strongly linked to experiencing life stress, despite similar levels of perceived social support. Social support from friends and sufficient global social support help to mediate this adverse relationship. Parental SUD may serve as a readily identifiable risk factor for risky drinking behavior among Black college students. Implications for future research and clinical practice are presented.

Impact of physical and psychosocial dysfunction on return to work in survivors of oral cavity cancer.

To compare the levels of social support, physical function, and social-emotional function between oral cavity cancer survivors who did or did not resume work 6 months or longer after treatment completion. This cross-sectional study examined survivors of oral cavity cancer who were treated at the outpatient radiation department of a medical center in Northern Taiwan. Questionnaires were used to collect data regarding perceived social support, physical function, social-emotional function, and return to work status after treatment. Logistic regression was conducted to determine factors related to returning to work. We examined 174 survivors of oral cavity cancer, 55.2% of whom returned to work after treatment. Relative to survivors who returned to work, those who did not return to work reported needing greater tangible social support, having fewer positive social interactions, having poorer physical function, and having poorer social-emotional function. Multivariable analysis indicated that younger age (OR = 0.864, P < .05), higher family income (OR = 10.835, P < .05), sufficient tangible social support (OR = 0.943, P < .05), positive social interaction (OR = 1.025, P < .05), and better physical function (OR = 1.062, P < .05) were significantly associated with the return to work. Survivors of oral cavity cancer who did not return to work had worse physical and social-emotional function and required more tangible social support and positive social interactions. Providing occupational rehabilitation and counseling for oral cavity cancer survivors may help them return to work.

The effect of accompany person to level of anxiety on tooth extraction patients using blood pressure, pulse rate, and dental anxiety scale

Background: Tooth extraction is a common activity in dental practice. Anxiety is the initial challenge that immediately seen on the patient. Many factors affect patient anxiety, such as dental tools, room atmosphere, nurse and dentist, or the most important, the tooth extraction procedure itself. Anxiety can cause a significant delay in procedure while waiting for patient to be ready to be extracted. Social support is believed to minimize patient’s anxiety during tooth extraction procedure. Accompany person may provide sufficient social support to the patient, yet conflicting studies results questioned its necessity to overcome patient’s anxiety.Objective: This paper aims to evaluate the effect of the accompanying person on the patient’s anxiety level during tooth extraction.Methods: The study was done using a cross sectional observational analytic design. Subjects were collected using accidental sampling at Dental Clinic Panti Swasti Tangeb Bali for the last one year. Data from 103 subjects who divided into two groups, 56 subjects for the accompany group (APG) and 47 subjects for the non-accompany group (NAPG), were analyzed. Level of anxiety was assessed based on blood pressure, pulse rate, and Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) score.Results: The result showed that on APG, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were lower than the NAPG group, systolic of 113.3 ± 6.1 mmHg and diastolic of 77.7 ± 5 mmHg compared to systolic of 119.4 ± 4 mmHg and diastolic of 78.9 ± 3.4 mmHg. Pulse rate was also lower in the APG group, 82.2 ± 7.6 bpm vs. 91.6 ± 5.4 bpm, respectively. The DAS score was 12.6 ± 1.7 in the APG and 14.3 ± 1.5 in the NAPG. The overall anxiety level based on systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, and DAS score were significantly lower in the APG compared to the NAPG (p&lt;0.05).Conclusion: Accompanying person provided less anxiety to the patients undergoing tooth extraction procedure.

Improving well-being via adaptive reuse: transformative repurposed service organizations

ABSTRACT This research illustrates the social supportive role that adaptive resuse of service organizations may play in promoting individual well-being. This work showcases how a health care clinic located in a developing country transforms into a setting which hosts community members’ socially supportive relationships during the clinic's off-hours. The empirical results reveal that participating in an array of social activities offered in the clinic grants clinic patrons, most of whom are financially vulnerable, access to social supportive resources. The results show that social support is positively related to patrons’ sense of belonging, well-being, and quality of life. The authors encourage public health and governmental agencies, especially in low-income areas where people often lack sufficient social support and in locales where governmental agencies confront monetary limitations, to consider the adaptive resuse of structures (i.e. clinics, education facilities, and office buildings) into spaces that encourages community members to gather and to socialize.

Body changes after cancer: female cancer patients\u2019 perceived social support and their perspective on care

PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate among female cancer patients their perceived social support from health care professionals (HCPs), family and friends, and public media, and their perspective on care concerning body changes.MethodsA study-specific questionnaire was completed by 235 female cancer patients. Descriptive statistics were used to describe social support and perspective on care. Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the associations between social support and sociodemographic and clinical factors, psychosocial impact, and importance of appearance.ResultsMore than half of the patients received sufficient support from HCPs (54%) and family and friends (55%), and a third from the media (32%). Higher educated patients and those who found appearance not important during illness perceived lower support from HCPs. Patients without a partner, and those with a surgical treatment only, perceived lower support from family and friends. Patients who were older, higher educated, without a partner, and those who found appearance not important during illness perceived lower support from the media. In total, 15–50% of the patients received sufficient care for different domains of body changes. Patients expressed the highest need for psychological support (28%) and nutrition (28%).ConclusionsHalf of the female cancer patients reported to receive sufficient social support concerning body changes after cancer. Perceived support depended on age, education, relationship status, and treatment modality. The need for more care was moderate.

Stakeholder Perspectives on the Biopsychosocial and Spiritual Realities of Living With ALS: Implications for Palliative Care Teams.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an all-encompassing, life-limiting disease, resulting in the eventual paralysis of all voluntary muscles and concurrent loss of independence. As the disease advances, both patients and their family caregivers develop complex biological, psychological, and social needs, leading to increasing calls for the involvement of palliative care teams in the management of ALS. The purpose of this study was to generate a rich description of the realities of living with ALS, equipping palliative care teams with an in-depth understanding of the experiences and needs of patients with ALS and their family caregivers. This study employed a mixed-methods design, with quantitative data supplementing a larger body of qualitative data. Semi-structured interviews with 42 key stakeholders, including patients, family caregivers, and health-care providers, were analyzed for themes essential for effective understanding of ALS. Identified themes were organized into 2 broad categories: (1) biopsychosocial needs of patients with ALS and family caregivers and (2) the impact of ALS on spiritual and emotional well-being. Quantitative data supported the recognized themes, particularly with regard to challenges associated with preserving independence, securing sufficient social support, and managing the emotional complexities of the disease. Study findings illustrate the intricacies of living with ALS and the importance of eliciting individualized values when caring for patients with ALS and their families. The complex biopsychosocial needs experienced by patients and family caregivers suggest numerous opportunities for meaningful palliative care involvement.

The Current Status of Retirement Mentoring in Academic Surgery in the United States

Background: Although successful retirement planning improves the well-being of retiring surgeons and facilitates effective succession strategies, the status of retirement mentoring in academic surgery remains unknown. The present study was designed to evaluate the presence of mentoring for retirement in the departments of surgery in the United States. Material and methods: A survey consisting of 5 questions (2 multiple choice; 3 yes/no) was sent to 170 chairs of departments of surgery in the United States in March 2019 regarding the presence and structure of mentoring for retirement in their department and their attitude towards retirement mentoring. The analysis of the data was performed in April 2019. Results: A total of 53 of 170 surveys were completed (31.2% response rate). There was no mandatory retirement age in any of the participating departments of surgery. Only two of 53 department chairs (3.8%) reported having an established mentorship for retirement for their senior faculty. At both departments mentoring for retirement consisted in informal pairing of mentors with mentees, without any financial support for the mentorship. Most department chairs [42 of 53; (79.2%)] considered retirement mentoring beneficial for senior faculty nearing retirement. Only 7 (13.2%) respondents found retirement mentoring not necessary as they believe senior surgeons have sufficient life experience and social support to deal with transition into retirement. Out of 42 respondents who found mentoring for retirement important, the vast majority (36; 85.8%) believe that it should be formally provided by their department of surgery vs. six of 42 (14.2%) respondents who consider that it should be the mentee’s responsibility to find a mentor inside and/or outside the department. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that while most department of surgery chairs consider retirement mentoring beneficial for their faculty, the vast majority of departments of surgery in the United States currently lack mentorship for retirement. Departments of surgery have a responsibility to facilitate a graceful retirement of their faculty members and should consider developing formal mentoring for retirement.

A Synopsis of the Jordanian Governance System in the Management of the Syrian Refugee Crisis

ABSTRACTThe number of refugees all over the world has steadily increased – reaching around 65.6 million by the end of 2017 – which requires that international laws legalize and institutionalize their existence, define the roles and responsibilities of receiving states, and ensure sufficient humanitarian, social and economic support for vulnerable forcibly displaced people (UNHCR 2017). Yet, receiving states are varied in their legal maneuvers, institutional schemes and polices approaches to handle the sudden inflow of refugees. This article reviews key legal bases for dealing with the influx of Syrian refugees in Jordan. It outlines an institutional framework for managing the sudden influx of refugees by considering the main entities that share the responsibility for managing humanitarian entrants. This paper describes the Jordanian policies used to respond to the Syrian refugee crisis. It also discusses the conditions that led to the formulation of these policies, and triggered the acceptance of the refugee policies in the national framework aimed at alleviating refugees’ suffering and softening the repercussions of their entry on host communities.

Type D Personality, Social Support, and Depression Among Ethnic Chinese Coronary Artery Disease Patients Undergoing a Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: An Exploratory Study.

This study investigated the relationships between Type D personality, depression, and social support among ethnic Chinese coronary artery disease (CAD) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions. Type D personality is associated with CAD, and may increase patients' depression and mortality rate. However, very few studies have explored the relationships between depression and social support among ethnic Chinese Type D CAD patients. A longitudinal, repeated-measures design was used; 105 Taiwanese CAD patients undergoing a percutaneous coronary intervention were recruited between January and December 2015. A demographic questionnaire, Type D Scale, ENRICHD Social Support Inventory, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 were completed by 102 participants (mean age = 64.42, SD = 13.67 years) at hospitalization, and at the second week and third month after discharge. Data were analyzed using t tests and a generalized estimating equation. Results indicated that 46.7% of participants who had Type D personality had lower social support and higher depression than did the remaining (non-Type D) participants. At two weeks after discharge, the improvement in social support was higher among Type D patients than non-Type D participants; the same was true for depression at two weeks and three months after discharge each. Type D Taiwanese CAD patients showed lower perceived social support and higher depression during hospitalization than did non-Type D participants. Furthermore, the more social support patients received at home, the lower was their depression. Health-care providers should provide continuous mental health care, conduct early screening of mental health issues, and ensure that patients receive sufficient social support to reduce depression.

Sufficient Social Support as a Possible Preventive Factor against Fighting and Bullying in School Children.

Background: This study aims to explore how sufficient social support can act as a possible preventive factor against fighting and bullying in school-aged children in 9 European countries. Methods: Data for this study were collected during the 2013/2014 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey. The sample consisted of 9 European countries, involving 43,667 school children in total, aged 11, 13 and 15 years. The analysed data focus on social context (relations with family, peers, and school) as well as risk behaviours such as smoking, drunkenness, fighting and bullying in adolescents. The relationships between social support and violent behaviour variables were estimated using multiple regression models and multivariate analyses. Results: Bullying, across 9 countries, was more prevalent than fighting, except for Armenia, Israel, and Poland. The prevalence among countries differed considerably, with fighting being most expressed in Armenia and bullying—in Latvia and Lithuania. The strongest risk factors for bullying and fighting were male gender (less expressed for bullying), smoking and alcohol consumption. In addition, for bullying the social support was similarly strong factor like above-mentioned factors, while for fighting—less significant, but still independent. All forms of social support were significantly relate with lower violent behaviour of school children, and family support was associated most strongly. Regardless the socioeconomic, historical, and cultural differences among selected countries, the enhancement and reinforcement of the social support from possible many different resources should be taken into consideration in prevention programs against school violence behaviours.

Social Support, Unstable Angina, and Stroke as Predictors of Depression in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease.

Depression is known to adversely affect coronary heart disease patients in western countries; however, no study of social support and depression has been conducted in the Chinese population. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictors of depression in patients with coronary heart disease. Between January and December 2015, a cross-sectional sample of 105 Taiwanese patients from cardiology units completed a demographic and clinical characteristics questionnaire, Enhancing Recovery in Coronary Heart Disease Social Support Inventory, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Thirty-nine percent of the participants reported low social support, and 61.0% had depression symptoms. Eight factors predicted depression. Social support was significantly and adversely correlated with depression (r = -.481, P < .01). The other 7 factors were positively correlated with depression: age (r = .212, P < .05), reported monthly income of less than US $600 (F = 4.98, P = .001), lack of exercise (F = 3.75, P = .027), history of stroke (t = -2.45, P = .016) and kidney disease (t = -2.41, P = .018), unstable angina (F = 3.56, P = .031), and groin puncture (F = 3.27, P = .042). A hierarchical regression model explained 43.7% of the variance in depression. Social support, unstable angina, and stroke may be important predictors of depression in patients with coronary heart disease. These findings help clinical staff to understand physical and mental health problems in cardiovascular patients. Thus, we suggest that early depression prediction and sufficient social support can help patients to face their disease and thus improve depression and health care quality.

Empowerment and social support for patients with chronic kidney disease: case study in Michoacán, MexicoEmpoderamento e apoio social de pacientes com nefropatia crônica: estudo de caso em Michoacán, México

RESUMENObjetivoIdentificar el nivel de empoderamiento y las características del apoyo social de los individuos con enfermedad renal crónica (ERC).MétodosEstudio transversal en personas con enfermedad renal crónica que habitan en el municipio de Hidalgo, Michoacán, México, y que asisten a la Asociación de Enfermos del Riñón, Asociación Civil (A.C.). Se indagó sobre el perfil sociodemográfico y las características personales asociadas a la enfermedad, el nivel de empoderamiento, el nivel de apoyo social y el funcionamiento familiar.ResultadosCerca de 90% de la muestra cuenta con apoyo social suficiente, mientras que 40% de los participantes pertenece a familias semirrelacionadas o relacionadas. El puntaje de empoderamiento global fue de 117,5 ± 14,3; el empoderamiento comunitario fue más alto en el grupo de mayor edad (P < 0,05). La interacción social positiva es el componente del apoyo social que correlaciona con mayor fuerza con el nivel de empoderamiento (r = 0,333; P < 0,01).ConclusionesEl empoderamiento está determinado por, y es un determinante del apoyo social y ha facilitado el acceso a la terapia de reemplazo renal en esta comunidad.

Single mothering as experienced by Burundian refugees in Australia: a qualitative inquiry

BackgroundRefugee mothers have fled from their homeland to escape persecutions with their children only to find other threats to their well-being in the new country. Building on previous research, it is known that being a new immigrant is challenging and requires adaptation. The adaptation process, known as acculturation, may not be successful leading to psychological distress. It is also known that a generation gap can occur when children acculturate faster than their parents. What was lacking was understanding about the experiences of single refugee mothers.MethodsInterpretative phenomenological study was undertaken to explore the lived experiences of eight Burundian refugee single mothers in Australia. Data were collected by in-depth interviews. Each interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsFindings revealed three themes. First theme ‘Traditional mothering practices of Burundian culture’ illustrated mothering strategies as practiced prior to their arrival in Australia including mothering with sufficient social support, strong position of parents, and regular use of physical disciplining. Second theme ‘Challenges identified after arrival to new country’ revealed that mothers felt their children acculturated faster than themselves which led to intergenerational gap. This has also led participants to live in a continuous dilemma, experiencing inner conflicts and struggles associated with their mothering practices, especially when mothers had arrived with a lack of knowledge relating to acceptable mothering practices in a new culture. Final theme, ‘Reforming family life in Australia’ highlighted the decisions made by single refugee mothers which is to embrace both new and original cultures, leading to successful acculturation. However, lack of appropriate knowledge of acceptable mothering practices led to involvement of legal authorities who threatening to remove children from the mother’s care. This has led mothers feeling change of power from ‘mother to child, ‘to child to mother’, raises concerns for family wellbeing.ConclusionsA need for parenting information when entering a new country including education about any legal obligations for parents such as a Child Protection Act will assist successful acculturation. As nurses are likely to encounter refugee single mothers, they are well placed to provide support and education to new refugee single mothers.

APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY OF A MENTORING PROGRAMME IN SOWETO

Education support services are aimed at addressing learner well-being holistically. Learner performance is linked to sufficient psychological, medical and social support. This study was an evaluation of a non-governmental organisation aimed at providing learners with psycho-social support and used the application of an Appreciative Inquiry approach. An Appreciative Inquiry approach is a method for generating change within an organisation by looking at what works in the organisation and facilitating active participation. The main findings from this study were that the programme seems to have positively affected learners’ performance both academically and behaviourally; the programme was perceived to have raised the general standard of academic performance at the school.

Exploring pre-service school counselling teachers’ learning needs: perceptions of teacher educators and student-teachers

Drawing on the dual perspectives of teacher educators and student-teachers, this research explores the complex learning needs of pre-service school counselling teachers (SCTs) in China. Relying on data from in-depth interviews and relevant curriculum documents, the findings of the study demonstrate four critical needs of SCTs, namely, developing a strong knowledge foundation with research competence, linking theories with practice in specific institutional and socio-cultural contexts, seeking social support and emotional guidance, as well as constructing a sense of vision and agency. However, due to a linear curriculum structure as well as various contextual obstacles (e.g. the exam-oriented system and potential social bias), the learning needs of student-teachers were not sufficiently addressed in the pre-service teacher education programme. The study argues for a recursive, integrative and context-specific teacher education curriculum in which student-teachers can be afforded rich practical opportunities and sufficient social and emotional support in the process of learning to teach.

Perceived social support and psychosocial adjustment in patients with coronary heart disease.

This study was performed to assess perceived social support and psychosocial adjustment in patients with coronary heart disease. Participants were 250 patients referred to the cardiology outpatient clinic of a university hospital in Ankara, Turkey, between December 2013 and March 2014. Data were collected using a participant information form, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale-Self-Report. Data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, mean scores, and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Patients' mean perceived social support scores were relatively low and patients' mean scores for psychosocial adjustment considered to be poor. Subgroups in the psychosocial adjustment and social support scales were significantly associated. This study's results indicate that patients' social support is linked to their psychosocial adjustment to coronary heart disease. As psychosocial adjustment is inhibited in patients who lack sufficient social support, sources of social support of patients should be identified and facilitated.