Social Support Interactions Research Articles

Perceived Stress, Perceived Social Support, and Global Health in Adults with Chronic Pain.

Chronic pain is a common problem in adults that can have a significant impact on individuals' quality of life and on society. The complex pain experience emerges from a dynamic combination of biological, psychological, and social factors. Previous research has shown that social support has positive effects on health-related outcomes through two mechanisms: direct-effects and stress-buffering effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the role that perceived stress, perceived social support, and their interaction play as predictors of global physical health and global mental health in adults with chronic pain. One hundred sixty-five adults with chronic pain completed measures of pain, perceived stress, perceived social support, global physical health, and global mental health. Perceived stress but not perceived social support made a significant and independent contribution to the prediction of global physical health; both perceived stress and perceived social support made independent contributions to the prediction of global mental health. The perceived stress × perceived social support interaction did not make a significant contribution to the prediction of either criterion variable. The results suggested that perceived stress has an impact on both global physical and mental health, whereas perceived social support associated mostly with global mental health. In addition, perceived social support does not appear to moderate the impact of stress on global physical and mental health. The findings are more consistent with a direct-effects model than a stress-buffering model of social support.

THE PROTECTIVE LIFESPAN BENEFITS OF SOCIAL SUPPORT BUFFERS CHILDHOOD ADVERSITY

Abstract Childhood adversity has negative effects across the lifespan including increased mortality risk. The support we receive from others, social support, has shown to be a protective factor against ACEs. However, little research has investigated the amplifying effects of poor social support, also known as social strain. Individuals with high levels of social strain and low levels of adversity would have the lowest mortality risk, it was hypothesized. Early life adversity was computed using 16 retrospective items assessing emotional and physical abuse, socioeconomic disadvantage, familial instability, and early-life poor health. Social support was computed using four-family, four-friend, and six-spouse items assessing reliability and emotion availability. Social strain was computed using four-family, four-friend, and six-spouse items assessing annoyance and disappointment. Cox proportional hazards models tested whether adversity, social support, and social strain were associated with the 20+year hazard of dying. Adjusting for age, gender, race, education, and marital status, higher ACEs (HR = 1.06) lower social support (HR = 1.07) and greater social strain (HR = 1.06) were all significantly associated with an increased hazard of dying (all ps < .05). A significant ACE x Social Support interaction emerged (HR = 0.95) suggesting the association between ACEs and hazard of dying was strongly positive at low levels of social support, but that the relationship was negative at high levels of support. Thus, high levels of social support buffer the negative effects ACEs have on mortality risk. This provides robust evidence that interventions increasing social support could reduce the harmful effects ACEs.

Exploring the Barriers to Social Support Interactions: A Qualitative Study of Young Adult Cancer Patients and Young Adult Supporters

ABSTRACT This study explores the reasons why young adults (ages 18–39) struggle to provide or avoid providing support to young adult cancer patients. The study also explores young adult cancer patients’ perceptions of why they have not received support from individuals who did not provide support. A total of 722 reasons were collected through online surveys and analyzed: 438 were provided by young adults who knew a young adult with cancer (N = 131), and young adult cancer patients (N = 111) provided 284 reasons why they believe they did not receive support. Initially using a previous typology of 16 nonsupport reasons, an abductive thematic analysis yielded a total of 21 barriers to the provision of social support. These barriers were categorized across four higher-order categories: recipient-focused, supporter-focused, relationship-focused, and context-focused. Some reasons provided by young adult supporters were not provided by young adult patients and vice versa, suggesting the potential for discrepancies between why cancer patients believe they did not receive support and nonsupporters’ actual reasons for not providing support. These various reasons why people struggled to provide support or avoided providing support can act as a list of barriers that future researchers and practitioners can address through the development of resources and interventions aimed at fostering adequate support provision throughout individuals’ cancer experiences. Cancer patients can address the experience of nonsupport by individuals in their lives by being more direct in communicating their support desires and, when unsuccessful, using cognitive reappraisal strategies.

Psychological Distress in Alzheimer’s Disease Family Caregivers: Gender Differences and the Moderated Mediation of Resilience

Different studies have reported gender differences in the variables of psychological distress, burden, social support, and resilience in family caregivers of relatives with Alzheimer’s disease; however, there is no clear evidence of the specific role of burden, social support, and resilience between gender and psychological distress. The aim of the present study is to clarify the role of these variables. Burden, psychological distress, social support, and resilience have been assessed in a cross-sectional design with a convenience sample of 140 family caregivers of relatives with Alzheimer’s disease. Our results confirm gender differences in terms of psychological distress, with higher scores found in female than in male caregivers, whilst male caregivers showed higher scores in terms of resilience than female caregivers. No gender differences have been found in terms of burden and social support. In addition, moderated mediation was obtained via the interaction of gender and social support on resilience, which plays a mediating role in psychological distress. Social support and resilience have shown a protective role concerning the mental health of caregivers, but female caregivers need higher social support to present a similar level of resilience to male caregivers.

Longitudinal Associations of Social Support and Gait Speed Decline

AbstractBackgroundSocial support predicts functional and cognitive decline and is associated with brain regions that are important for both cognitive, and motor functions. Gait speed declines years before dementia onset, but the associations between social support and gait speed decline in aging is not well understood. This study examined longitudinal associations between social support and gait speed in older adults without dementia.MethodSocial support and gait data from 592 older adults without dementia (Mdn age 75 years, IQR 71,80, 55.3% female, 79.1% Caucasian) enrolled in the Central Control of Mobility in Aging (CCMA) study was examined. Overall support, emotional support, tangible support, affectional support, and positive social interactions, from the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey at baseline were the predictors of interest. Annual change in simple (walking at normal pace) and complex (walking while reciting alternate letters of the alphabet) gait speed (cm/s) were the primary outcomes. Linear mixed effects models were used to examine the associations between change in single and complex gait speed and baseline social support, adjusting for gender, race, depression, overall cognition, comorbidities, and marital status.ResultThe mean annual change in gait speed was 1.9 cm/s during the simple walking condition and 1.07 cm/s during the complex walking condition. Tangible support was the only social support measure that predicted decline in simple and complex gait speed over a median follow up of 3 years. The annual decline in gait speed was 0.52 cm/s (p = 0.008, CI ‐0.91, ‐0.13) and 0.51 cm/s (p = 0.02, CI ‐0.95, ‐0.07) greater among those with low tangible support than among those with high tangible support during simple and complex walking conditions, respectively.ConclusionTangible support is a potentially modifiable risk factor for gait speed decline Further study is needed to examine the mechanisms behind the observed associations and potentials for intervention.This research was supported by NIH/National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS) Einstein‐Montefiore CTSA Grant Number KL2 TR002558

Network analysis of the relationship between social support and quality of life in patients with epilepsy

BackgroundIdentifying important types of social support for patients with epilepsy is valuable to construct an effective system for support in daily life. However, previous studies have been inconsistent in identifying the most important types of social support for better quality of life (QOL) due to the high correlations between the social support factors. The present study employed network visualization analysis to identify the relationships between QOL and types of social support. MethodsTwo hundred and eighty-three patients with epilepsy (age range: 18 to 75 years) completed questionnaires of the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS) and the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-31-Problems in the epilepsy monitoring unit at Tohoku University. The MOS-SSS was established to measure the four types of social support including emotional/informational support, tangible support, affectionate support, and positive social interaction. Our network visualization analysis represented the entire structure of the interrelationships between the four functions of social support and QOL. In addition, the relative importance of each function of social support were estimated by the centrality indices using three commonly used centrality indices: strength, betweenness, and closeness. ResultsThe visualized network showed that positive social interaction and emotional/informational support were directly associated with QOL, whereas tangible support and affectionate support were not. Positive social interaction had the highest value for all three centrality indices and affectionate support had the second highest. Therefore, positive social interaction had the strongest connection to the other functions of support. DiscussionOur network analysis and centrality indices findings showed that positive social interaction is the most important within the network of four types of social support and QOL. The emotional informational function is also important for directly improving QOL but is less related to the other functions. The affectionate function might be an indicator of whether a patient has a foundational relationship that leads to other functions of support. ConclusionThese results showed the importance of increasing positive social interaction in the social environment of patients with epilepsy. Therefore, practitioners need to encourage patients with epilepsy to increase their positive social interactions such as doing something enjoyable with others or someone to associate for relaxation to ensure high QOL. Connections outside the epilepsy support are important, such as having fun regardless of epilepsy, rather than only providing emotional or tangible support for epilepsy.

28 Social Support, APOE Genotype, and Memory Associations in a Community-Based Sample of Older Adults in Texas

Objective:The apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene has been identified as a major risk factor for the development of Alzheimer’s disease in late life. Research has shown that APOE e4 allele carriers demonstrate poorer memory performance and accelerated cognitive decline relative to non-carriers, and there is a need to identify potential factors of resiliency against the negative effects of e4 on cognition. Social support may represent one potential mechanism given that higher levels of social support have been linked to better cognitive and functional outcomes in older adults. Thus, the current study sought to examine whether social support moderates the relationship between APOE e4 status and subjective and objective memory performance in a large community-based sample of Hispanic/Latino (H/L) and Non-Hispanic White (NHW) older adults residing in Texas.Participants and Methods:Participants included 1,564 (H/L = 808, NHW = 756) older adults (mean age = 66.36±8.68) without dementia that had enrolled in the Health and Aging Brain Study-Health Disparities. Participants completed study questionnaires and a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. Apolipoprotein e4 status (e4 carriers vs. non-carriers) was determined by possession of at least one e4 allele. Perceived social support was measured using the total score from the abbreviated 12-item version of the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List. Objective memory performance was assessed using a z-score composite of Story A and B from the Weschler Memory Scale (WMS)-III and immediate and delayed recall trials from the Spanish-English Verbal Learning Test. Subjective memory was assessed using the total score from the Subject Memory Complaints Questionnaire. Race stratified multiple linear regression models, controlling for age, sex, and years of education, examined APOE e4 positivity x social support interactions on subjective and objective memory performance.Results:There was a significant APOE e4 genotype x social support interaction on objective memory performance (ß = -1.10, p = 0.003) in H/Ls such that higher levels of social support were associated with better memory performance in non-e4 carriers (ß = 0.14, p < .001), but not in e4 carriers (ß = -0.13, p = 0.9). In contrast, no significant APOE e4 status x social support interaction was observed on subjective memory (ß = -0.39, p = 0.35) in H/Ls. Finally, results revealed no significant APOE e4 genotype x social support interactions on subjective memory (ß = 0.14 p = 0.77) or objective memory (ß = 0.67, p = 0.11) performance in NHWs. Conclusions: Findings revealed that social support did not mitigate against the negative effects of e4 on subjective and objective memory performance in H/Ls or NHWs. However, results demonstrate that higher levels of social support are associated with better objective, but not subjective memory performance in H/Ls without the e4 genotype. These findings suggest that social support may protect against cognitive decline and enhance cognitive reserve in non-e4 carriers. Future studies should explore other potential factors of resiliency (e.g., diet, exercise) and examine the association between genetic risk and social support on neural markers (e.g., cortical thinning, hippocampal atrophy).

1 Social Support is Associated with Better Memory Performance among Hispanic/Latino, but not Non-Hispanic White Older Adults

Objective:Hispanic/Latino (H/L) older adults are at greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias compared to non-Hispanic whites (NHW), and there is an urgent need to identify important factors that may help prevent and/or reduce age-related cognitive health disparities. Positive psychosocial factors, such as social support, may protect against cognitive impairment and decline. However, recent research has highlighted that the effect of social support on cognitive outcomes may differ across racial/ethnic groups. Given the emphasis placed on family relationships and support in H/L culture, the current study sought to clarify whether H/L ethnicity moderated the association between social support and cognitive functioning in a well-characterized sample of community-dwelling older adults residing in Texas.Participants and Methods:Participants included 766 NHW and 817 H/L (predominantly Mexican American) older adults (Mage = 66.25 ±8.64) without dementia enrolled in the Health and Aging Brain Study-Health Disparities. Participants completed study questionnaires and a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. Perceived social support was measured using the total sum score from the 12-item abbreviated version of the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List. Episodic memory performance was operationalized as the z-score composite of the immediate and delayed recall totals from the Spanish English Verbal Learning Test and the Weschler Memory Scale (WMS)-III Logical Memory 1 and 2. Executive functioning was operationalized as the z-score composite of scores from the WMS-III Digit Span, Verbal Fluency (FAS), and Trails B. Analyses of covariance were used to explore racial/ethnic group differences in self-reported levels of social support. Multiple linear regression models examined (1) ethnicity x social support interactions on cognition, and (2) ethnicity-stratified social support and cognition associations. Covariates included age, education, sex, yearly income, and depressive symptoms.Results:H/L older adults reported less perceived social support compared to NHWs (F = 41.16, p < .001). There were no significant ethnicity x social support interactions on episodic memory (ß = 0.04, p = .53) or executive functioning (ß = 0.004, p = .95). However, stratified models revealed that more social support was associated with better memory performance in H/Ls (ß = 0.08, p = .01), but not in NHWs (ß = 0.0004, p = .99). No significant associations between social support and executive functioning were observed amongst H/Ls (ß = -0.01, p = .60) or NHWs (ß = 0.04, p = .29).Conclusions:Although H/Ls reported lower levels of social support relative to NHWs, we observed that social support was linked to better memory performance within the H/L group only. Results suggest that culturally tailored interventions which encourage strong interpersonal relationships and caring for family could enhance social support in H/Ls and thus help to prevent memory decline. Future work should focus on the development of assessment measures that better characterize unique cultural elements of social support within H/Ls, such as multigenerational households, and explore the direct effects of social support on brain metrics.

35 The Association Between Social Support and Cognition in Older Adults with Multiple Sclerosis

Objective:Research has shown that social support has protective effects against cognitive decline in older adults. No study to date has examined the relationship between social support and cognition in older adults with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Advances in treatments for MS have resulted in a growing number of aging individuals with MS, making it imperative to identify modifiable risk factors that affect cognition, such as social support. Therefore, this study was designed to examine the association between social support and cognition in older adults with MS and healthy controls.Participants and Methods:Participants were older adults with MS (N = 70; M age = 64.71, SD + 3.86 years; 62.9% female) and community-residing older adults (N = 74; M age = 68.42, SD + 5.96 years; 58.1% female). Perceived social support was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study Modified Social Support Survey (MSSS), which measures emotional/informational support, tangible support, affectionate support, and positive social interaction. Cognition was assessed with the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), which measures immediate and delayed memory, attention, language, and visuospatial abilities. Linear regressions stratified by group status (MS vs. control) assessed the association between perceived social support and cognition.Results:Linear regressions controlling for age, gender, education, and medical comorbidities showed that higher total MSSS scores were related to higher RBANS scores in the MS group (β = 0.243, p = .046) and marginally in the control group (β = 0.239, p = .053). Examination of MSSS domains showed that emotional/informational support (β = 0.246, p = .044) and positive social interaction (β = 0.279, p = .023) were significant predictors of RBANS performance in the MS group. Positive social interaction (β = 0.262, p = .011) was a significant predictor of RBANS performance in the control group. Analyses that further adjusted for depression scores showed that positive social interaction remained a significant predictor of RBANS performance in the control group (β = 0.361, p = .005). In contrast, depression scores attenuated associations between all aspects of social support and RBANS performance in the MS group (p > .05).Conclusions:Among older adults, the association between social support and cognition varied as a function of MS status. Overall perceived social support, emotional/informational support, and positive social interaction were significantly associated with cognition in the MS group. However, depressive symptoms attenuated these associations. In contrast, positive social interaction was the key driver of the association between social support and cognition among the healthy controls, and notably, this association remained significant even after adjusting for depressive symptoms.

Cognitive processing of HIV stigma and its association with posttraumatic growth: a reflexive thematic analysis

ABSTRACT Objective The current study explored the cognitive strategies related to experiences of stigma and how these strategies might contribute to posttraumatic growth (PTG) in people with HIV (PWH) in New Zealand (NZ). Method Data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews with 16 participants and were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results Six themes were generated: reevaluation, reaffirmation, connective comparison, disclosing, avoidance, and reflection. These processes were found to be influenced by participants’ personal and social contexts. Conclusions The findings support current theories of PTG in general, providing a more in-depth picture of cognitive processing of stigma related to HIV and PTG, and highlighting the interactions of social support with experiences of stigma.

A - 82 Perceived Social Support Is Associated with Cognition but Not Physical Functioning in Older Adults with and without Multiple Sclerosis.

To examine the association between perceived social support, cognition, and physical functioning in older adults with and without Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Participants were dementia-free older adults with MS (N = 89; M age = 64.75, SD + 4.25years; 66.3% female) and community-residing older adults (N = 102; M age = 68.74, SD + 7.12years; 62.7% female). The medical outcomes study modified social support survey (MSSS), oral symbol digit modalities test (SDMT) and timed-25-foot-walk-test (T25FW) served as outcome measures. Linear regressions stratified by group status assessed the associations between PSS, cognition, and physical functioning. Higher total MSSS scores were associated with higher SDMT scores in the MS group (β= 0.24, p = 0.02) and in the control group (β= 0.26, p = 0.005). Positive social interaction (β= 0.27, p = 0.011) was associated with SDMT performance in the MS group. Emotional/informational support (β= 0.27, p = 0.003) and positive social interaction (β= 0.25, p = 0.007) were associated with SDMT performance in the control group. Depression scores attenuated associations between perceived social support and SDMT performance in the MS group (p > 0.05) but not the control group. In contrast, higher MSSS scores were not associated with higher T25FW scores in either group. Among older adults with and without MS, perceived social support was associated with cognition but not physical functioning. Depressive symptoms attenuated associations between perceived social support and cognition in the MS group only.

The Effect of Social Interaction and Social Support on E-Commerce Purchase Intention: UGT and TAM Theory Perspective

Purpose: This study was to analyze the essence of combining the TAM and UGT theory in shaping consumer purchase intentions in e-commerce. This was accomplished by developing an empirical research model based on direct and moderating relationships on purchase intention. Theorethical Framework: This study involves 7 hypotheses that are described comprehensively in section 2. The independent variables are Benefits Perceived (BP), Ease of Use Perceived (EoUP), Risk Perceived (RP), Moderating Variables are Social Support & Social Interaction (SI), and the Dependent variable is Purchase Intention (PI). Method: Furthermore, the total sample in this study involved 938 respondents, data were collected using online surveys, and the method of analysis used was PLS. Results and Conclusion: The results show a close positive association between UGT and TAM theory on the consumers’ buying intentions. In addition, the findings indicate the propensity for Social Interaction & Support; thus, empirically built hypotheses specified that most TAM variables had a positive and significant effect on puberty purchase intention. Therefore, asides from where Risk Perceived confers a little influence through direct effect relationships, a positive and significant impact on purchase intention is perceived if social interaction & social support variables moderate the risk. Originality/Value: This study in testing the relationship between variables is based on two theoretical approaches: UGT and TAM. Besides, measuring variables by moderation uses social support and interaction variables.

Food Insecurity, telomere length and the potential modifying effects of social support in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Telomere length (TL) is a posited pathway through which chronic stress results in biological dysregulation and subsequent adverse health outcomes. Food insecurity is associated with shorter TL. Social support, which is defined by the size and function of an individual's social network, is associated with better health outcomes. The present study assesses whether social support modifies the relationship between food security and TL. Cross-sectional study design. Linear regression was used to assess the association between food insecurity and TL, stratified by social support level. A multiplicative interacted model was used to formally test modification. Data come from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2000 and 2001-2002 waves. Adults aged 60 years and older who have measurements for TL. Our sample comprised 2674 participants, and 63·5 % of the total sample had low social support, with 13·3 % being food insecure. In fully adjusted models, food insecurity was negatively though modestly associated (P = 0·13) with TL. Associations between food insecurity and TL were significantly modified by social support (interaction P = 0·026), whereby food insecurity had a stronger effect among individuals with high social support (coefficient = -0·099 (95 % CI: -0·161, -0·038)) compared to low social support (coefficient = -0·001, (95 % CI: -0·033, 0·032)). Food insecurity is modestly associated with shorter TL. Contrary to our hypothesis, food insecurity had more deleterious effects on TL among participants with high social support than low social support. Results may indicate that the food insecure population is a higher needs population, and increased social support reflects these needs rather than providing protective effects.

The interaction of financial toxicity and social support on social functioning in post-chemotherapy breast cancer patients: a cross-sectional study.

To explore the correlation between financial toxicity, social support, and social functioning in post-chemotherapy breast cancer patients, as well as any possible interaction of financial toxicity and social support on social functioning. Post-chemotherapy breast cancer patients admitted to the thyroid and breast surgery departments of three first-class general hospitals in East China from December 2020 to January 2022 were recruited by convenience sampling for a cross-sectional survey. The survey instruments included the general information form, the comprehensive scores for financial toxicity based on the patient-reported outcome measures (COST-PROM), the social roles and activity participation subscale from the patient-reported outcomes measurement system-breast-chemotherapy (PROMS-B-C) (score range: 8-40), and the social support subscale from PROMS-B-C (score range: 16-80). The results showed that low social functioning (low score) in post-chemotherapy breast cancer patients was positively correlated with high financial toxicity (low score) as well as poor economic resources (low score) and poor psychosocial responses (low score) (P<0.01) and negatively correlated with low economic expenditures (low score) (P<0.01); high social functioning (high score) was positively correlated with high social support (high score) (P<0.01). The interaction analysis results showed an additive interaction between financial toxicity and social support in social functioning. There was an additive interaction of financial toxicity and social support in the social functioning of post-chemotherapy breast cancer patients. Those patients with high financial toxicity and low social support are the most likely to benefit from relevant intervention measures compared to other breast cancer populations.

The Effects of Organizational Social Support on Left-behind Children’s Resilience in China

Left-behind children are one of the main issues in China’s child welfare services. The change in the family environment has destroyed these children’s original levels of resilience. Hence social service and support from social organizations are needed. The study examines the impact of different types of social support social organizations provide to enhance the resilience of left-behind children in rural China. Types of social support analyzed include material, mental, informational, behavioral, and social interaction support. Data was collected from 384 rural left-behind children using a pre-coded questionnaire. Respondents were randomly selected from Guangxi, China in 2022. They had an average age of 12.781 years, with 45.83% male and 54.17% female. Multiple linear regression was used to conduct an empirical analysis of the different types of social support provided by social organizations. The results found that material, mental, informational, and behavioral support provided by social organizations had significant effects on the resilience of rural left-behind children in China. Further research should be conducted on the importance of providing material, mental, informational, and behavioral support to left-behind children to better help improve their resilience.

Positive effects of wood in Vorarlberg’s (Austria) timber kindergartens

Abstract The application of sustainable materials and their integration into newly constructed, valuable, and cultural architecture is a topic currently often mentioned in connection with the new initiative called the New European Bauhaus. The aim of this paper is to highlight the impact of wood material in the interiors of preschool institutions, its positive influence on the development of children and its inclusivity in education. The use of wooden furniture and wooden structural elements in kindergarten interiors opens a new area of research and interest in the context of promoting diversity and access for every child, regardless of their abilities or limitations. The article analyses the architecture of kindergartens in Vorarlberg, which serves as an excellent reference example for the development of new school projects. The authors raise questions as to how such architectural and design thinking can support the promotion of inclusive education of children and whether it can positively influence their cognitive abilities, ultimately affecting their overall quality of life. The findings presented in the article can inspire new ideas and solutions for the creation of preschool architecture that aims to provide an inclusive environment for children where they can expand their knowledge and gain new experiences, while applying innovative design thinking. The selected analyses and comparisons focused on whether the presence of wood material can positively impact the well-being of children in the physical environment of kindergartens. The paper aims to prove that interiors with exposed wood can improve the quality of teaching and support social interaction and playful learning of children. The results of this study can serve as a strong argument for the New European Bauhaus initiative advocating for the implementation of renewable materials such as wood in accordance with the principles of biophilic, restorative environmental, and salutogenic design in practice.

Social support as a protective factor against accommodation for anxiety in youth

ABSTRACT Parental accommodation is one factor that has been consistently linked to youth anxiety, while social support has been linked to resilience. Ecological models may explain how the interaction of factors across environments impact child development. The current study seeks to examine the interaction between accommodation and peer social support in relation to child anxiety symptoms. It is hypothesized that peer social support will significantly moderate the relationship between accommodation and youth anxiety. The current sample included youth 9–17 years old and one of their parents (N = 62). Accommodation significantly predicted youth anxiety symptoms; however, the interaction of accommodation and peer social support did not exhibit a significant association with anxiety. Conclusions, limitations, and future directions are discussed.

Grief participation rights and the social support hierarchy: Exploring the communicative role of the bereaved in a social support interaction

This article explores how bereaved individuals co-construct social support and social norms in the social interaction of 14 bereavement group meetings in Denmark. To study this, we used a discourse analytical approach focusing on how the participants position their social supporters. The results show that the participants designate, uphold, and presuppose two hierarchical positions to bereaved and non-bereaved supporters with different abilities to understand them. Based on this finding, the concepts of “grief participation rights” and “social support hierarchy” are proposed to supplement existing notions of “rights to grieve” and “grief hierarchy.” These concepts suggest that non-bereaved supporters are not accorded the same participatory rights in social support conversations as bereaved individuals who have suffered a similar loss as the speaker. The concepts are discussed in relation to effective social support and in the context of research on social disconnection in grief.

Biopsychosocial factors of gaming disorder: a systematic review employing screening tools with well-defined psychometric properties.

Considering the growing number of gamers worldwide and increasing public concerns regarding the negative consequences of problematic gaming, the aim of the present systematic review was to provide a comprehensive overview of gaming disorder (GD) by identifying empirical studies that investigate biological, psychological, and social factors of GD using screening tools with well-defined psychometric properties. A systematic literature search was conducted through PsycINFO, PubMed, RISS, and KISS, and papers published up to January 2022 were included. Studies were screened based on the GD diagnostic tool usage, and only five scales with well-established psychometric properties were included. A total of 93 studies were included in the synthesis, and the results were classified into three groups based on biological, psychological, and social factors. Biological factors (n = 8) included reward, self-concept, brain structure, and functional connectivity. Psychological factors (n = 67) included psychiatric symptoms, psychological health, emotion regulation, personality traits, and other dimensions. Social factors (n = 29) included family, social interaction, culture, school, and social support. When the excess amount of assessment tools with varying psychometric properties were controlled for, mixed results were observed with regards to impulsivity, social relations, and family-related factors, and some domains suffered from a lack of study results to confirm any relevant patterns. More longitudinal and neurobiological studies, consensus on a diagnostic tool with well-defined psychometric properties, and an in-depth understanding of gaming-related factors should be established to settle the debate regarding psychometric weaknesses of the current diagnostic system and for GD to gain greater legitimacy in the field of behavioral addiction.

Professional Development Among U.S. Music and Non-Music Teachers: Comparative Evidence From the 2017–2018 National Teacher and Principal Survey

The purpose of this study was to describe music teacher professional development (PD) in the United States and to chart potential differences between the experiences of music teachers, other arts teachers (visual art, theater, dance), and teachers in low-stakes (natural and social sciences) and high-stakes (math, English language arts) academic disciplines. Using data from the 2017–2018 National Teacher and Principal Survey, I evaluated PD practices, perceptions, and policies against six consensus criteria for effective PD: content specificity, social interaction, sustained duration, relevance, agency, and policy support. Findings showed music teacher participation in content-specific and socially interactive PD was robust and that the vast majority of music teachers described their PD as relevant. Cross-comparisons revealed discipline associations as to some criteria (social interaction, relevance, agency) but not others (content specificity, sustained duration, policy support). Although music teachers achieved parity or were advantaged in some areas (e.g., access to content-specific PD), they consistently reported less access to socially interactive PD, spent less overall time in PD, and were considerably less likely to exercise agency in support of their PD endeavors. Music teachers—along with their art, theater, and dance colleagues—generally, although not overwhelmingly, operated on less favorable PD terrain in 2017–2018.