The Relational Context of Social Support in Young Adults: Links with Stress and Well-Being

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chih-Yuan Steven Lee ◽  
Sara E. Goldstein ◽  
Bryan J. Dik
Author(s):  
F. Nearchou ◽  
A. Davies ◽  
E. Hennessy

Introduction. The Multi-Dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) is one of the most widely employed tools for measuring perceived social support from three sources: family, friends and a significant other. This study aimed to establish the factor structure of the MSPSS in young adults living with chronic health conditions (CHCs). It also aimed to examine the reliability and convergent validity of the tool. Methods. A cross-sectional quantitative design was applied. Participants (n = 123, 90 females) were students aged 18–25 years recruited from Colleges of Further Education in Ireland (mean age of 20.1 years, s.d. = 2.43). Participants completed the MSPSS and two subscales of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Health Survey that assessed social functioning and emotional well-being. Results. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a three-factor solution of the MSPSS in young adults living with CHCs. The three factors together explained 83% of the variance in MSPSS scores. All the items had high loadings on the factors (0.72–0.94). The MSPSS showed satisfactory reliability and convergent validity. Conclusions. These findings suggest that the MSPSS is a valid and reliable tool for measuring perceived social support from three sources in young adults living with CHCs. Social support has been associated with positive outcomes in young adults living with CHCs, thus it is imperative for researchers and clinicians to have access to psychometrically sound instruments to evaluate the construct.


2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 188-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurul Hudani Md. Nawi ◽  
Puteri Hayati Megat Ahmad ◽  
Dahlan A. Malek ◽  
Getrude Cosmas ◽  
Habibie Ibrahim ◽  
...  

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the structural relationship between the emotional and social support provided for individuals with caring responsibilities for elderly relatives, and the quality of care actually delivered. In addition, the moderating role of gender is explored. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative research design was utilised in which 200 usable questionnaires were collected from 250 respondents comprised of young adults who adopt a caregiving roles in respect of elderly parents or other close elderly relatives. The structural equation modelling (SEM) technique was selected for data analysis, and the Analysis of moment structure software version 21 was used. Findings The SEM results revealed that emotional support for caregivers was the most important predictor affecting the intergenerational care of multi-ethnic elderly people. Additionally, a moderation analysis revealed that the relative influence in this connection was more pronounced among female caregivers. An increase in the emotional support received by the recipient was found to enhance the level of the relationship, and to result in closer intergenerational ties in the care of the multi-ethnic elderly. Furthermore, the receipt of social support positively influences the judgement of an individual, and expands that person’s social network, which can subsequently have a favourable impact on the way in which one fulfils their caring role. The significant effect of social support provided for intergenerational caregivers in the context of the multi-ethnic elderly was higher in the group of male caregivers than in the group of female caregivers. Practical implications This study sends a strong message to policy-makers in developing countries about the need to consider within their National Policy for the Elderly, improvements in the national action plan for a holistic and integrated approach to ensure the well-being of caregivers and the elderly. Originality/value The results of the study help young adults to understand the importance of emotional and social support in boosting their relationships with parents and families and motivating intergenerational efforts in the care of the multi-ethnic elderly. Harmony within families is an important ideal in any circumstance, but in the scenario of ageing family members it may be even more essential to try to achieve it.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 216495611876352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hillary Woodside ◽  
S Nicole Culos-Reed ◽  
Marie-Claude Grégoire ◽  
Robert Rutledge ◽  
Melanie R Keats

Background The practice of yoga has been shown to improve disease- and treatment-related side effects in the noncurative cancer patient. Objective This user experience study aimed to examine the feasibility and usefulness of a DVD-based yoga program for young adult cancer patients with a noncurative diagnosis. Methods Participants were asked to partake in a 7-week DVD-based yoga program and complete measures of program use and usefulness. Results Nine patients expressed study interest and 5 consented to participate. Four completed the full study protocol. Participants reported being satisfied with the program and described that it provided an opportunity for self-care. Improvements in functional, physical, and spiritual well-being and overall quality of life were found. Barriers included competing time demands and feeling unwell. No adverse events were reported. Conclusion The program was viewed as an accessible and useful activity option; however, a desire for greater social support from relatable others was highlighted.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15-16) ◽  
pp. 3102-3123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine M. Naughton ◽  
Aisling T. O’Donnell ◽  
Orla T. Muldoon

Recent literature on exposure to domestic violence (DV) highlights the need for increased understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence and abuse (DVA). The current aims were to explore whether two separate dimensions, physical and psychological DVA, were evident in adult children’s reports of their exposure to DVA in their family of origin, and whether these dimensions affected psychological well-being and perceived satisfaction with emotional support (hereafter referred to as social support satisfaction). Young adults ( N = 465, aged 17-25, 70% female) reported their experiences of DVA as perpetrated by their parents/caregivers, as well as psychological well-being and social support satisfaction, in an online survey. Using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), we verified the presence of a two-factor model (physical and psychological DVA). Hierarchical linear regression analysis demonstrated the differing impact of these two factors: Specifically, although exposure to psychological DVA (domestic abuse [DA]) was related to reduced psychological well-being, there was no significant effect of exposure to physical DVA (DV). However, mediation analysis suggested the presence of a suppression effect; there was a magnification of the negative relationship between exposure to psychological DA and social support satisfaction when exposure to physical DV was accounted for. Although findings are preliminary, they provide strong evidence to support theoretical arguments regarding the need for future research to conceptualize exposure to DVA in terms of both physical and psychological dimensions. Our findings also highlight that to improve service response and provide effective interventions, it is essential to include exposure to psychological DA in risk assessments of such young adults.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 237437352110331
Author(s):  
Helen M Nichols ◽  
Sarah Dababnah ◽  
Zackary Berger ◽  
Caroline Long ◽  
Paul Sacco

Patient-centered communication (PCC) is critical to the delivery of quality health care services. Although numerous health outcomes have been connected to patient–provider communication, there is limited research that has explored the processes and pathways between communication and health. Research among young adults (ages 26-39 years) is even more scarce, despite findings that health communication does vary with age. This cross-sectional study used data from the 2014 Health Interview National Trends Survey to explore the relationship between PCC, patient trust, patient satisfaction, social support, self-care skills, and emotional well-being among young adults aged 26 to 39 years. Our results showed that income, history of depression diagnosis, PCC, patient trust, social support, and patient self-efficacy (self-care skills) were all significantly related to emotional well-being. These findings suggest the need to explore the means through which communication can impact emotional well-being, specifically among young adults who are in poor health or have a history of depression. Future research should also include longitudinal studies, in order to determine causality and directionality among constructs.


1992 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 198-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen R. Winefield ◽  
Anthony H. Winefield ◽  
Marika Tiggemann

2021 ◽  
pp. 026540752110367
Author(s):  
Analisa Arroyo ◽  
Timothy Curran ◽  
Erin K. Ruppel

The goal of current study was to explore direct and indirect associations between self-disclosure skills, social support, and psychosocial outcomes during the transition to college. Incoming college students in the U.S. completed online surveys throughout their first academic year. Multilevel mediation analyses revealed different associations among these variables (1) when considering different relational sources of support (family, friend, significant other) and (2) when specifying interindividual (i.e., between-person) versus intraindividual (i.e., within-person) effects across time. Most notably, results indicated that more friend support was associated with better psychosocial outcomes both between and within participants; in comparison, family support was beneficial to both positive and negative psychosocial outcomes when individuals generally had better self-disclosure skills (i.e., between-person effects), and perceived significant other support as a mediator explained positive psychosocial outcomes. These results highlight the importance of considering both intraindividual and interindividual changes, as well as relational context, when exploring how social skills are associated with well-being.


2021 ◽  
pp. 089011712110012
Author(s):  
Natalie Fenn ◽  
Mark L. Robbins ◽  
Lisa Harlow ◽  
Shanna Pearson-Merkowitz

Purpose: The relationship between civic engagement and mental health is generally positive, yet particularly complex among those from low socioeconomic backgrounds and women. The current study examined pathways between civic engagement and well-being to clarify its merit as a health promotional tool for young adults. Design: Cross-sectional design using an online questionnaire. Setting: Participants were recruited at a mid-sized Northeastern US university. Sample: Participants ( N = 438) were primarily White (78%) and female (72%). Measures: Demographics, socioeconomic status, civic engagement behavior, well-being, meaning in life, self-efficacy toward service, and social support. Analysis: Structural equation modeling to test an a priori model of civic engagement behavior and well-being in young adults. Models were conducted across men and women, covarying for social support. Results: The full effects model fit well, demonstrating positive relationships between civic engagement and well-being for both men and women with mediation by service self-efficacy and meaning in life (χ2(2) = 1.05, p = .59; CFI = 1.0; RMSEA = .00, 90% CI [.00, .07]; R 2 = .46). Type of engagement (civic, electoral, sociopolitical) showed mixed results in relation to well-being. Conclusion: Civic activity was associated with well-being when mediated by service self-efficacy while sociopolitical voice correlated to stronger well-being when mediated by meaning in life. Future longitudinal studies should be conducted among more socioeconomically diverse populations to verify the role of civic engagement in health promotion.


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