Social Support

Social SupportKaren Stillman October 2009 : 

Social SupportKaren Stillman October 2009

Social Support : 

Social Support Basic concept of physical and emotional comfort Being part of a community who cares for us Exchange of assistance through social relationships A powerful influence

Historical Evolution : 

Historical Evolution John Barnes,1954 Norwegian village social network observations Beyond family linkages, social networks exerted strong support

What is a Social Network? : 

What is a Social Network? A linkage between people May or may not provide support Has dyadic characteristics- specific relationships such as reciprocity, intensity + complexity. A web that surrounds an individual

Characteristics that describe a network : 

Characteristics that describe a network Homogeneity Geographic dispersion Density

John Cassel, 1976 : 

John Cassel, 1976 Did many animal and human studies Posited that social support served as a key psychosocial “protective” factor Social support may influence health outcomes, not specific to one disease process

House,1981 : 

House,1981 Described social support as the functional content of relationships, categorized into these types of acts: - Emotional support Instrumental support Informational support Appraisal support

Emotional Support : 

Emotional Support Empathy Love Trust Caring

Instrumental Support : 

Instrumental Support Tangible aid Services directly assist one in need

Informational Support : 

Informational Support Advice Suggestions Information

Appraisal Support : 

Appraisal Support Constructive feedback Affirmation Social comparison

Mercer and colleagues, 1986 : 

Mercer and colleagues, 1986 Social support is “The amount of help actually received, satisfaction with that help, and the persons providing that help.” Four similar areas of support: -Emotional -Informational -Physical -Appraisal

Slide 13: 

Social support is always intended by the sender to be helpful. Whether or not that support is perceived as helpful, is another thing!

Slide 14: 

Social support is consciously provided in a caring, trustful and respectful way, as opposed to simple observation of the behavior

Slide 15: 

Social support is provided in the interest of respecting one’s right to make their own choices.

Theory or Concept? : 

Theory or Concept? Social Network Social support

They are concepts that describe the: : 

They are concepts that describe the: Structure Process Function of social relationships

Conceptual Model : 

Conceptual Model

Empirical Evidence : 

Empirical Evidence Glanz (2002): 1997 Big Brother Big Sister program Goal was to reduce risk faced by American youth For 1 year participants spent 12 hours a month together

Results : 

Results Participants in relation to control group had: Better attitudes toward school Better school attendance Improved relationships with parents 46% less likely to use drugs 27% less likely to use alcohol

Empirical Evidence : 

Empirical Evidence Berkman and Glass (2000) found a relationship between a lack of social relationships and all-cause mortality Increased survival rates in those with severe cardiovascular disease and emotional support

Empirical Evidence : 

Empirical Evidence Waxler-Morrison, Hislop, Mears and Kan (1991) study of social relationships on women with breast cancer. Friendships and work outside the home were found to be statistically important for survival.

Translating All of This? : 

Translating All of This? How do we assess WHO, needs WHAT, and WHEN?

WHO? : 

WHO? Social support can be provided by many types of people in a formal or informal setting Different networks lead to different supports Long-term vs. short-term

WHAT? : 

WHAT? Perception of support vs. objective behavior Are behaviors viewed as supportive? Previous experience of helper with recipient Discuss what works

WHEN? : 

WHEN? Age and developmental stage of recipient Understanding stages of coping

Purpose : 

Purpose Aid and assistance are exchanged through social relationships and interpersonal transactions Social relationships have exerted powerful influences on people and health We can design effective interventions for health status, behaviors and decision-making

Accomplished? : 

Accomplished? Yes, structurally this concept is not very specific but can be diagramed. The components of an individual, their sources of support and health behaviors impact their overall health. The quality of the relationships if perceived as helpful CAN be very helpful to overall health.

Components : 

Components Individual Physical, mental, social health Stressors Current health behaviors Social support Community resources Coping

Content : 

Content “Karma” “It takes a village” Social support is associated with the impact stressful events have on our physical and psychological well-being.

Relationships : 

Relationships Stands alone: Social relationships powerful impact on health status. Hard to isolate factors

Assumptions : 

Assumptions Having a multitude of support/ relationships improves your health.

Criticism : 

Criticism Clarity of social support relationship to health Easy to understand Structurally difficult to quantify Simplistic- seven basic components General concept, easy to apply Very accessible Not easy to test

Scope of Social Support : 

Scope of Social Support Macro theory Has a broad conceptual purpose. Relates to individuals as wholes. Is not discipline specific

Level of Social Support : 

Level of Social Support Situation-Relating Predicts or promotes Women with significant social support will be breast cancer survivors.

Commonplaces : 

Commonplaces Person- receiving support, giving support (reciprocity) Health-very broad Environment-interpersonal and mental Nursing- not specific

Importance of Social Support to Nursing : 

Importance of Social Support to Nursing Very valuable to our profession Seems like common sense but…

Circle of Contagiousness : 

Circle of Contagiousness Very easily adopted by others Become familiar with your arsenal of resources

Do I Like Social Support? : 

Do I Like Social Support? LOVE IT!

Question 1 : 

Question 1 Relate an incident in your life in which your own personal social support stepped in for an “assist” that got you through a stressful time. In the interest of reciprocity, how might you become more of a support to others?

Question 2 : 

Question 2 Now expand your thinking to your work environment. Name 2 agencies that you might look into to provide a resource/support system to your clients? As a school nurse I want to explore the services of a Family Resource Center in my town (but have not found time), as well as the particulars about a ballroom dancing class for high schoolers.

References : 

References Alligood, M., and Tomey, A., (2009) Nursing theorists and their work. Maryland Heights, ME: Mosby Elsevier. Chesnay, M. (2005). Caring for the Vulnerable. Perspective in nursing theory, practice and research. Jones and Bartlett. Mississauga, ON Glanz, K., Rimer, B., Lewis, F.(2002). Health Behavior and Health Education: Theory, reseach and practice. Jossey, Bass