Dimensions Of Support Research Articles

The Dimensions of Individual Support for Coastal Hazard Mitigation: Analysis of a Survey of Upper Texas Coast Residents

The Dimensions of Individual Support for Coastal Hazard Mitigation: Analysis of a Survey of Upper Texas Coast Residents

İnfertil Olan Kadınlarda Fertilite Uyumu Ve Eş Desteği Arasındaki İlişkinin İncelenmesi

Aim: The study aims to determine the relationship between fertility adjustment and perceived spousal support in women with infertility.Material and Methods: The correlational, descriptive type this research was conducted in eastern Turkey between December 2019 and September 2020. The study sample consisted of infertile women registered in five Family Health Centers, selected by cluster sampling method (n:139). The data were collected using the Participant Information Form prepared by researcher the Fertility Adjustment Scale (FAS), and the Spousal Support Scale. In addition to descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analyses were used in the data analysis.Results: In the study, it was found that the mean score of women in the FAS was 23.30±1.35, and the mean score in the Spousal Support Scale was 65.41±10.41. In the correlation analysis performed between fertility adjustment and spousal support in the study, a negative, weak, but significant relationship was found, and the regression analysis showed that total spousal support, financial support, and appreciation dimension explains fertility adjustment by 11%, 13%, and 10%, respectively (p<0.001). In the study, it was found that there was a statistically very weak significant relationship between emotional support, which is one of the sub-dimensions of spousal support, and fertility adjustment, and the regression analysis showed that emotional support explains fertility adjustment by 0.06% (p<0.05).Conclusion: In the study, it was found that fertility adaptation increases as spousal support increases, and the advanced analysis showed that spousal support explained fertility adjustment by 11%. It is recommended that counseling activities to be provided to couples should be enriched within this framework.

An Analysis of Competency among Learning Community Participants Depending on their Performance －Focusing on the Comparisons between High and Ordinary Performers

This study aimed to derive specific critical success factors using comparison analysis between a high performing group and an ordinary performing group who participated in a learning community and to propose support methods enhancing the effects of learning communities. For these purposes, the data from the reflective journals written by 111 participants were categorized according to a matrix designed for the content analysis. The main study results can be summarized as below. First, the comparison data on the response frequency of the two groups revealed that the high performing group responded more frequently than the other group in 35 out of 54 items and that the ordinary group responded relatively more frequency in 7 items. Second, the results from comparing the competencies of the two groups showed that the high group’s frequency of participants’competencies were different from that of the other group. The factors more frequently commented by the high performers are listed as follows: expression, self-reflection, problem solving, collaboration, group operation, and learning goal-setting. According to the data on the other group, the factors more frequently used were problem solving, group operation, expression, and collaboration. Third, in order to increase the effectiveness of any given learning community, the six critical success factors namely, a multifaceted approach for problem-solving, planning and sharing operation plans, a free and clear expression of oneself, task performance for achieving common goals, self-growth from self-understanding, and specified goal-setting and scheduling, are classified by the following three dimensions of continuous reinforcement, prior support, and additional support. In conclusion, implications for effective learning communities and suggestions for following studies were discussed.

The Two Faces of Support for Redistribution in Colombia: Taxing the Wealthy or Assisting People in Need.

Support for redistribution is crucial for reducing economic inequality. Despite people's desire for reducing extreme inequalities, they still have mixed opinions regarding how to do so. The aim of the article is to examine the underlying latent dimensions of support for redistribution and test its correlates to perceptions of and attitudes toward inequality. In two studies, we found that support for redistribution can be modeled as a latent construct depicting two different dimensions: one focused on taxing the wealthy and changing the income distribution schema, and other focused on assisting people in need and providing opportunities. We also found that the dimension related to taxing the wealthy (vs. assisting people in need) displayed higher internal reliability and correlated consistently with perceptions and attitudes toward inequality: the higher the support for taxing the wealthy, the higher the perceptions and concerns of inequality, and the lower the inequality-justifying ideologies. This research unveils distinct underlying dimensions of support for redistribution that shed light on different motivations that drive people's redistributive preferences.

Leashes, Litterboxes, and Lifelines: Exploring Volunteer-Based Pet Care Assistance Programs for Older Adults.

At the convergence of population aging and pet-ownership, community stakeholders are well-positioned to support older adults’ relationships with companion animals through age-related transitions in health and living arrangements. In this study’s setting, a volunteer-based pet care assistance program launched in 2017 to provide practical assistance with pet care for socially disadvantaged, community-dwelling older adults. This case study explored the impacts and feasibility of this and similar programs via (i) an Internet-based environmental scan to compare similar programs and (ii) qualitative interviews with a sampling of diverse community stakeholders (n = 9). A small number of comparable international programs (n = 16) were found. Among these, programs were delivered using a range of funding models; fewer than half involved collaborations across human social services and animal welfare sectors; and none addressed all dimensions of support offered by our local program. Analysis of qualitative interviews highlighted five major themes confirming the value of the volunteer-based approach and the importance of cross-sectoral collaborations in addressing older adults’ under-recognized pet care-related needs. Taken together, the findings confirmed the effectiveness of our local program model. Collaborative, cross-sectoral programs that target both human and companion animal well-being hold promise to reduce barriers to pet ownership that many disadvantaged older adults face. This unique approach leverages the health-promoting potential of human-animal relationships in ways that enhance quality of life for individuals, animal welfare, and age-friendliness of communities.

Experiences of Blogging About Visible and Long-term Skin Conditions: Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.

Skin conditions can detract from people's quality of life, much like conditions such as cancer, chronic pain, and depression. Visible skin conditions can lead to risk of stigmatization. It is acknowledged that there is a lack of available psychosocial support for people living with chronic skin conditions. One way in which individuals with long-term conditions are self-managing and providing peer support is through blogging and exchanging information on the web. To date, no research has specifically investigated how individuals with skin conditions experience the use blogging for self-management. This study sought to investigate the experiences of individuals with visible, long-term skin conditions when blogging about their conditions. A systematic blog search and a short survey were used for recruitment. A total of 4 participants took part in email interviews, which were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Skin conditions included alopecia, psoriasis, and hirsutism. The content of these individuals' blogs was also analyzed using a qualitative template method derived from the IPA analysis. The interviews and accounts revealed a clear sense of uncertainty about the course of the bloggers' skin conditions. This appeared to be associated with feelings of distress and isolation, searching for treatments, and ultimately a sense of defeat. The data revealed that blogging provided a space where this sense of defeat was managed and challenged. Posting on the web facilitated connection with others and enabled support networks to be established that assisted in challenging the feelings of isolation experienced. The data demonstrate the important role that blogging played for these participants in developing a sense of acceptance of their condition. Blogging may provide a way for individuals to self-manage distress associated with visible skin conditions. It may provide similar benefits to those known to be derived from emotional disclosure that occurs during writing, with an added peer support dimension. Blogging has occurred naturalistically on web-based forums, and this study demonstrates how this form of interaction may warrant adaptation for use with web-based psychosocial interventions for people living with skin conditions. This study had a limited sample of 4 bloggers; therefore, further exploration would be needed to consider the utility of this approach.

Does social support predict increased use of dental services in older men?

Past research on social support and dental visits in older people has been limited by cross-sectional design, limited social support dimensions and non-representative samples. Data came from men with natural teeth completing Waves 3 and 4 of the Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project in Sydney, Australia. The relationship between social support at Wave 3 (2011-2012) and at least one dental visit per year at Wave 4 (2014-2016) was examined by Poisson regression. Social support was measured by structural (marital status, living arrangements, family support and social interaction) and functional (social support satisfaction) domains. About 673 men were analysed. Structural and functional social support were not associated with the pattern of usual dental visits 5 years later in univariable or multivariable analyses. The only consistent significant factor was income source, with older men who had other sources of income more likely to regularly visit the dentist than older men solely reliant on the pension for income (prevalence ratio: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.13-1.52). We found no differences in the pattern of usual dental visits between older men with different levels and types of social support. For older Australian men, income source seems to be the most important determinant of regular dental visits. © 2022 Australian Dental Association.

Clergy Resilience: Accessing Supportive Resources to Balance the Impact of Role-Related Stress and Adversity.

Resilience is a helpful construct when considering how to support clergy well-being. The purpose of this study was to gain knowledge about clergy resilience, specifically those resources that clergy perceived had supported their professional resilience. The study gave attention to aspects of preservice training and professional development that helped to foster clergy resilience and initiatives that clergy desired to further support their resilience. Clergy reported multiple resources that supported their resilience including supports for spiritual life, relational supports, personal aspects, and organizational practices. Spiritual dimensions of support for resilience were prominent for clergy, especially the centrality of calling to ministry, theological meaning-making, and relationship with God. Participants also revealed helpful aspects of preservice training and professional development. Aspects of preservice training included rigorous discernment and screening of their callings and the inclusion of required practices, such as spiritual direction or mentorship. Aspects of professional development included a variety of skill development opportunities, lifelong learning, conferences, and networking with peers. Participants reported their desire for initiatives that included more wellness opportunities and an increased organizational prioritization of clergy wellness.

Informational and supportive needs of the family caregivers of women with breast cancer in a low resource context: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: The present study was conducted to assess the needs of family caregivers in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants and methods: Data were collected through purposive sampling from 103 participants and analysed by the Family Inventory of Needs (FIN) during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 (between July and September). Results: Informational and supportive needs were high for most caregivers (76%), but they were scored unmet by higher than 30% of the family caregivers in items 8, 9, and 16 of informative dimensions and items 15, 17, and 18 supportive dimensions. Also, the illness stage was significantly associated with the score of unmet needs (p = 0.03). Conclusions: Caregivers who live with women need more guidance and support. Considering the information and psycho-social needs of cancer caregivers may increase the satisfaction of health services and help improve the psychological well-being and quality of life of both patients and their caregivers.

Reassures Me There Are People Around Who Care about Me: Analyzing Meanings of Support for People with Epilepsy

Abstract Aims The study aimed to examine the nature and outcomes of social support for the well-being and quality of life (QoL) of adults with epilepsy. Methods The Australian Epilepsy Longitudinal Survey's 5th Wave included the Medical Outcomes Study Modified Social Support Survey on four dimensions of social support and the QOLIE-31. Both numerical data and open-ended responses were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. A mixed method was used where quantitative analysis used t-tests, analysis of variance and block recursive regression, and qualitative analysis identified themes. Results Three-hundred thirty-two people with epilepsy (PWE) participated. The quantitative component showed that for emotional/informational support being older and living alone were key factors. These as well as household income were important in tangible support. For affectionate support living alone and household income were factors, but only income was a factor for positive social interaction. In addition, only positive social interaction predicted increased QoL. In the qualitative component of the study both positive and negative supports were identified for the emotional/informational supports. Many reported the benefits of having information, although some reported failure to have their needs taken seriously by health professionals or epilepsy associations. Inability to drive was an important feature of negative tangible support as was finding some assistive services unaffordable. Reports of positive social interaction identified being accepted as a person with epilepsy that is the primary concern. Peer support plays a role here. Discussion The findings of factors affecting the four dimensions of support in this study have supported a number of studies. This includes the effects of positive social interaction on QoL. The qualitative analysis supports these results, but it also contributes to deeper understanding of support in the lives of PWE. Conclusion Social support is a particularly important issue for PWE. The results of this study demonstrate the complexities and benefits of obtaining the appropriate forms of support. This survey took place before the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and it may well be that this phenomenon affects PWE's support needs.

Relationship between family support and compliance in diabetes mellitus patients

Background: Indonesia holds fourth place in the world with the highest number of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), and the province of East Kalimantan is in third place with the city of Bontang. The existence of distance restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic led to restrictions on the number of outpatients in health facilities, so family support had a prominent role in drug therapy adherence in DM patients. Aim: This study aims to determine the relationship between family support and adherence to antidiabetic drug therapy in DM patients. Methods: This observational cross-sectional research conducted from May to June 2021 at the Pupuk Kaltim Hospital, Bontang city, used a purposive sampling technique. It enrolled 104 DM outpatients who completed a validated questionnaire instrument to measure family support and drug therapy adherence. Results: Data analysis showed a significant relationship between family support and drug therapy adherence (p=0.009) and the emotional support dimension (p=0.0001), while the three other dimensions (informational support, instrumental support, and reward support) were not significant. Conclusion: Family support, especially emotional support, is associated with adherence to antidiabetic drug therapy in DM patients.

A Model of Satisfaction Promotion for Students of Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences in Iran

Background: Universities of medical sciences, as organizations that ensure the progress of society in the fields of health, treatment, and medical education, have been considered in many ways. The first important goal in these universities is student satisfaction and promotion strategies. Therefore, in this study we presented a model of satisfaction promotion among the students of Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Methods: The population of this applied quantitative research included students of Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences. A total of 380 people were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling. The data collection tool included a researcher-made questionnaire whose validity and reliability were confirmed. Decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method, importance-performance analysis (IPA), as well as MATLAB and Excel software were used for quantitative data analysis. Results: The results of IPA showed that the research dimension was of great importance for students and the performance of the university was appropriate in this dimension. Welfare and management dimensions were of little importance, but the performance of the university was high in these dimensions. The administrative component of this dimension was not very important and the university’s performance was not good in it. The support services dimension was very important for students’ satisfaction but the performance of the university was at a low level. As a result, support services had the highest priority for improvement and the welfare, managerial, educational, research and administrative dimensions were in the next ranks for improvement, respectively. The results of causal relationships between dimensions showed that the managerial dimension had the most interaction (impact and effectiveness), followed by research, welfare, education, supportive, and administrative dimensions. The management dimension was the most effective one. According to R-J values, educational and research dimensions were the most effective dimensions, respectively. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that university policy-makers and administrators need to recognize the basic needs of students in various fields such as education, research, welfare, etc. before taking policy actions, decision-making, and future orientations.

Role of parents and friends in adolescents’ identity formation in Indonesia.

Abstract. The identity formation of adolescents in a collective society is dependent on their significant relationship with other people. Therefore, this study aims to examine the role of parents and friends in adolescents’ identity formation in Indonesia. This research was conducted using a quantitative survey method involving 489 adolescents with 142, 178, and 169 in their early, middle, and late adolescent phases ranging from 12 to 21 years. Data collection was carried out on adolescents who are currently studying in Surabaya by using the convenience sampling method. The Indonesian version of the UtrechtManagement of Identity Commitments Scale, Shortened Version of Child's Report on Parent Behavior Inventory, Friendship Quality Scale, and Caregiving Questionnaire were used to measure the dimensions of identity, parenting, friendship quality, and support-giving. The hierarchical regression analysis was used to determine the role of the dimensions of parenting, friendship quality, and support giving gradually to identity formation. The results showed that parenting, friendship quality, and support contribute to commitment (R2= 0.291), in-depth exploration (R2= 0.241), and reconsideration of commitment (R2 = 0.110). It also indicates that the adolescent's identity formation in Indonesia embraces a collective culture inseparable from authority figures and peer groups. The implication of this research is that differences in the quality and form of relationships with parents and friends can lead to differences in adolescent identity formation.Keywords: adolescents; friendship; identity formation; Indonesia; parenting.

Organizational Work-Home Culture and its Relations with the Work–Family Interface and Employees’ Subjective Well-being

The two studies reported in this paper aimed to present and discuss both the validation of the Work-Home Culture (WHC) scale (Dikkers et al., Work & Stress, 21(2), 155–172, 2007) in the Italian context (Study 1), and a relational model that links the WHC to subjective well-being via the mediation of three facets of the work-home interface: work-family conflict, work-family enrichment and work-family balance (Study 2). Heterogeneous samples of workers from different organisations took part in the cross-sectional studies. Substantial support was provided for the robustness of the factorial structure of the 18-item WHC scale with five factors (three support dimensions and two hindrance dimensions). Individuals’ perceptions of a supportive WHC that characterises the organisation they work for – particularly with respect to work-family issues and the use of family-friendly benefits – turned out to be positively associated with work-family enrichment and balance. Only organisational time demands, which is a hindrance dimension, was associated with work-family conflict. Moreover, our findings suggest that WHC is significantly associated with subjective well-being and that this association is largely indirect – through the facets of work-family interface – rather than direct. The results of the two studies represent a relevant achievement from the perspective of conducting future research using this measure in different socio-cultural environments and ad hoc interventions in the fields of organisational psychology and occupational health.

Influence of social support on individual health knowledge adoption in online diabetes communities: the mediating role between cognition and emotion

PurposeTo address the problem of how to guide and promote health knowledge adoption, based on online diabetes communities, this study explores the impact mechanism of social support on users' individual health knowledge adoption to provide insights for online diabetes community management and personal health management.Design/methodology/approachIntegrating the theories of cognitive-affective personality system (CAPS) and social support, this study constructs a theoretical model, collects data through a questionnaire and uses a structural equation model to analyse 356 data.FindingsThe results show that: (1) Considering the online diabetes communities, it is reasonable to divide social support into emotional, information, network and respect support. (2) Social support affects individual health knowledge adoption through the intermediaries of knowledge argument quality, knowledge source credibility and positive emotions. (3) The order of the mediating effect of cognitive and emotional factors between social support and health knowledge adoption is knowledge argument quality > knowledge source credibility > positive emotions and rationality > sensibility. (4) Users pay more attention to the source credibility of professional health knowledge than that of experiential health knowledge.Originality/valueThis research expands the application scope of CAPS and opens the “black box” of the impact of social support on individual health knowledge adoption behaviour. Simultaneously, the dimensions of social support and the mediating effect between social support and the two types of health knowledge are discussed.

Application Effect of Doctor-Nurse-Patient Integration Model Based on Heart Rate Management Strategies in Middle-Aged and Young Outpatients with Hypertension.

Objective In this study, a doctor-nurse-patient integration management scheme based on heart rate (HR) management strategies was constructed to explore its application effect in the health management of young and middle-aged outpatients with hypertension. Methods A total of 75 young and middle-aged patients with essential hypertension admitted to the Outpatient Department of Cardiology of Heji Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College, Shanxi Province, from October 2019 to July 2020 were selected and divided into an observation group (n = 37) and a control group (n = 38) according to different treatment methods. The control group was treated with routine health education, basis on which, the observation group was additionally intervened by the doctor-nurse-patient integration model established upon HR management strategies. The resting heart rate (RHR) awareness, medication compliance, RHR, systolic/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP), and self-management ability were compared between the two groups before and 3 months after intervention. The diet control rate, hypertension awareness rate, and regular review rate were also compared. Results The RHR awareness and medication compliance were significantly higher in the observation group compared with the control group after intervention (P < 0.05). There were 29 patients with high compliance in the observation group and 19 in the control group, with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). The mean RHR, as well as the mean SBP and DBP in the observation group, were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). In terms of health behavior assessment, the observation group outperformed the control group in the score of each dimension of self-actualization, health responsibility, stress management, interpersonal support, exercise, and nutrition (P < 0.05). In addition, the self-management ability of diet, exercise, medication, blood pressure (BP) monitoring, and disease awareness was significantly higher in the observation group compared with the control group. Conclusions For middle-aged and young outpatients with hypertension, the doctor-nurse-patient integration model based on HR management strategies can improve the RHR awareness of patients and improve their medication compliance and self-management ability, thus better controlling the levels of RHR and BP.

The effects of living and learning conditions on the health-related quality of life of children and adolescents during the COVID-19 lockdown in the French Grand Est region

IntroductionCOVID-19 lockdown measures resulted in children and adolescents staying and learning at home. This study investigated health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and its associated factors among youth during the first lockdown.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 8- to 18-year-olds from the French Grand Est region. Sociodemographic data and information on living and learning conditions were collected using an online survey. HRQoL was assessed using the KIDSCREEN-27. Multiple regression analysis was performed to explore factors related to low HRQoL in each dimension.ResultsIn total, 471 children from 341 households were included. Difficulties isolating at home were associated with low HRQoL in the psychological well-being (OR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.2–4.0) and parent relations and autonomy (OR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.2–3.8) dimensions. Conflicts with dwelling occupants were related to increased ORs in the psychological well-being (OR = 2.9, 95% CI: 1.9–4.6), parent relations and autonomy (OR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.4–3.4) and school environment (OR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.5–3.7) dimensions. Living in an apartment (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1–3.1), never leaving home (OR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.2–5.9), having indoor noise at home (OR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.2–4.6), and having a parent with high anxiety (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1–3.1) were associated with low HRQoL in the social support and peers dimension. Children working less than 1 h/day on schoolwork had an increased OR of 3.5 (95% CI: 1.4–9.0) in the school environment dimension.ConclusionLiving and learning conditions were associated with low HRQoL among children and adolescents during the COVID-19 lockdown. Prevention and intervention programs are needed to support youth by facilitating their interactions and improving their coping and to prepare for future waves.

Depressive symptomatology and different dimensions of social support serially mediate the effect of negative automatic thoughts on suicidal ideation

Depressive symptomatology and different dimensions of social support serially mediate the effect of negative automatic thoughts on suicidal ideation

Quality of smart-work support service, perceived value and intention to continue smart-work: empirical evidence from Korea

PurposeSmart-work has been attracting more attention since the COVID-19 outbreak hit the world in 2020. Smart-working practices do not always run smoothly despite the necessary infrastructure being in place. Taking the quality-value-loyalty chain and information system continuance model as the basis, this study aims to identify how “smart-work support service” leads to employees’ continuance intention toward smart-work. In this study, the smart-work support service refers to the infrastructure making smart-work possible and services needed to support smart-work.Design/methodology/approachUsing data collected from a survey of 406 employees working in Korea, this study verifies the components of smart-work support service quality and dimensions of perceived value through partial least squares analysis and then tests the proposed conceptual model using structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results verified that the quality of smart-work support service consists of eight attributes while dividing the perceived value of smart-work into three dimensions and further revealed that the service quality influences the intention to continue smart-working by way of perceived value and satisfaction.Originality/valueThis study sought to explore the relationship among service quality, perceived value and satisfaction by clearly conceptualizing and measuring them in the context of smart-work, thereby ultimately understanding the impact they have on the intention to continue smart-work.

Characterization of a convection-based support microstructure through a flow resistance parameter.

Modern convection-based supports differ substantially in pore size, porosity, and microstructure topology. Due to such variability, it is challenging to evaluate the contribution of a particular microstructure topology on flow resistance. We demonstrated that the flow resistance parameter ( ) introduced decades ago can be used as a criterion to evaluate the effect of microstructure topology on a pressure drop when the pore size is used as a characteristic support dimension. Furthermore, the value of simple cubic packing was calculated over the entire range of open porosity and compared to the values determined for pressure drop models derived for particular convection-based supports and experimental values of various convection-based supports from the literature. It was shown that different convection-based supports become clustered into distinct groups when plotted according to their and open porosity values, allowing their discrimination.