Evaluation Tools of Social Support at Work and Contributions of Social Network Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 223-241
Author(s):  
Elisa Maria Barbosa de Amorim-Ribeiro ◽  
Laila Leite Carneiro ◽  
Leonardo Fernandes Martins ◽  
Ranna Carolina dos Santos Cunha
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Evaluation Tools ◽  
Support At Work

scholarly journals Social Network Analysis of the Effects of a Social Media–Based Weight Loss Intervention Targeting Adults of Low Socioeconomic Status: Single-Arm Intervention Trial

10.2196/24690 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. e24690
Author(s):  
Ran Xu ◽  
David Cavallo
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Network Characteristics ◽  
Using Data

Background Obesity is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease risk factors, including hypertension and type II diabetes. Although numerous weight loss interventions have demonstrated efficacy, there is considerably less evidence about the theoretical mechanisms through which they work. Delivering lifestyle behavior change interventions via social media provides unique opportunities for understanding mechanisms of intervention effects. Server data collected directly from web-based platforms can provide detailed, real-time behavioral information over the course of intervention programs that can be used to understand how interventions work. Objective The objective of this study was to demonstrate how social network analysis can facilitate our understanding of the mechanisms underlying a social media–based weight loss intervention. Methods We performed secondary analysis by using data from a pilot study that delivered a dietary and physical activity intervention to a group of participants via Facebook. We mapped out participants’ interaction networks over the 12-week intervention period and linked participants’ network characteristics (eg, in-degree, out-degree, network constraint) to participants’ changes in theoretical mediators (ie, dietary knowledge, perceived social support, self-efficacy) and weight loss by using regression analysis. We also performed mediation analyses to explore how the effects of social network measures on weight loss could be mediated by the aforementioned theoretical mediators. Results In this analysis, 47 participants from 2 waves completed the study and were included. We found that increases in the number of posts, comments, and reactions significantly predicted weight loss (β=–.94, P=.04); receiving comments positively predicted changes in self-efficacy (β=7.81, P=.009), and the degree to which one’s network neighbors are tightly connected with each other weakly predicted changes in perceived social support (β=7.70, P=.08). In addition, change in self-efficacy mediated the relationship between receiving comments and weight loss (β=–.89, P=.02). Conclusions Our analyses using data from this pilot study linked participants’ network characteristics with changes in several important study outcomes of interest such as self-efficacy, social support, and weight. Our results point to the potential of using social network analysis to understand the social processes and mechanisms through which web-based behavioral interventions affect participants’ psychological and behavioral outcomes. Future studies are warranted to validate our results and to further explore the relationship between network dynamics and study outcomes in similar and larger trials.

scholarly journals Using Social Network Analysis to Understand the Effects of a Social Media-based Weight Loss Intervention Targeting Low-SES Adults (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ran Xu ◽  
David Cavallo
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Network Characteristics ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Relationship

BACKGROUND Obesity is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors including hypertension and type II diabetes. Although numerous weight-loss interventions have demonstrated efficacy, there is considerably less evidence about the theoretical mechanisms through which they work. Delivering lifestyle behavior change interventions via social media provides unique opportunities for understanding mechanisms of intervention effects. Server data collected directly from online platforms can provide detailed, real-time behavioral information over the course of intervention programs that can be used to understand how interventions work. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to demonstrate how social network analysis can facilitate our understanding of the mechanisms underlying a social-media based weight loss intervention. METHODS This study performed secondary analysis using data from a pilot study that delivered a dietary and physical activity intervention to a group of low-SES participants via Facebook. We mapped out participants’ interaction networks over the 12-week intervention period, and linked participants’ network characteristics (e.g. in-degree, out-degree and network constraint) to participants’ changes in theoretical mediators (i.e. dietary knowledge, perceived social support, self-efficacy) and weight loss using regression analysis. This study also performed mediation analyses to explore how the effects of social network measures on weight loss could be mediated by the aforementioned theoretical mediators. RESULTS 47 participants from two waves completed the study and were included in the analysis. We found that participants creating posts, comments and reactions predicted weight-loss (β=-.94, P=.042); receiving comments positively predicted changes in self-efficacy (β=7.81, P=.009); the degree to which one’s network neighbors are tightly connected with each other weakly predicted changes in perceived social support (β=7.70, P=.08). In addition, change in self-efficacy mediated the relationship between receiving comments and weight-loss (Indirect effect=-.89, P=.017). CONCLUSIONS Our analyses using data from this pilot study have linked participants’ network characteristics with changes in several important study outcomes of interest, such as self-efficacy, social support and weight. Our results point to the potential of using social network analysis to understand the social processes and mechanisms through which online behavioral interventions affects participants’ psychological and behavioral outcomes. Future studies are warranted to validate our results and further explore the relationship between network dynamics and study outcomes in similar and larger trials.

scholarly journals The use of social network analysis in social support and care: a systematic scoping review protocol

2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosario Fernández-Peña ◽  
María-Antonia Ovalle-Perandones ◽  
Pilar Marqués-Sánchez ◽  
Carmen Ortego-Maté ◽  
Nestor Serrano-Fuentes
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Long Term Conditions ◽  
Scoping Reviews

Abstract Background In recent decades, the literature on Social Network Analysis and health has experienced a significant increase. Disease transmission, health behavior, organizational networks, social capital, and social support are among the different health areas where Social Network Analysis has been applied. The current epidemiological trend is characterized by a progressive increase in the population’s ageing and the incidence of long-term conditions. Thus, it seems relevant to highlight the importance of social support and care systems to guarantee the coverage of health and social needs within the context of acute illness, chronic disease, and disability for patients and their carers. Thus, the main aim is to identify, categorize, summarize, synthesize, and map existing knowledge, literature, and evidence about the use of Social Network Analysis to study social support and care in the context of illness and disability. Methods This scoping review will be conducted following Arksey and O'Malley's framework with adaptations from Levac et al. and Joanna Briggs Institute’s methodological guidance for conducting scoping reviews. We will search the following databases (from January 2000 onwards): PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science Core Collection, SCOPUS, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PROSPERO, and DARE. Complementary searches will be conducted in selected relevant journals. Only articles related to social support or care in patients or caregivers in the context of acute illnesses, disabilities or long-term conditions will be considered eligible for inclusion. Two reviewers will screen all the citations, full-text articles, and abstract the data independently. A narrative synthesis will be provided with information presented in the main text and tables. Discussion The knowledge about the scientific evidence available in the literature, the methodological characteristics of the studies identified based on Social Network Analysis, and its main contributions will highlight the importance of health-related research's social and relational dimensions. These results will shed light on the importance of the structure and composition of social networks to provide social support and care and their impact on other health outcomes. It is anticipated that results may guide future research on network-based interventions that might be considered drivers to provide further knowledge in social support and care from a relational approach at the individual and community levels. Trial registration Open Science Framework https://osf.io/dqkb5.

Social Network Analysis for Mildly Mentally Retarded Adults

1988 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 543-546
Author(s):  
Sigmund Hough
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Mentally Retarded ◽  
Interview Schedule ◽  
Network Characteristics ◽  
Extensive Analysis ◽  
The Social

A pilot study was conducted in preparation for an extensive analysis of the social network characteristics of mildly mentally retarded adults. From a total of 10 clients (aged 25 to 67 yr.) living in residences which were a part of the agency's supportive living program, five were administered the Arizona Social Support Interview Schedule and five were administered the Children's Inventory of Social Support. Recommendations regarding the implementation of social network analysis with mildly mentally retarded adults were discussed.

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