scholarly journals Loneliness and the exchange of social support among older adults in Spain and the Netherlands

2012 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 330-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARTA M. SÁNCHEZ RODRIGUES ◽  
JENNY DE JONG GIERVELD ◽  
JOSE BUZ
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Northern Europe ◽  
Instrumental Support ◽  
The Social ◽  
To Receive

ABSTRACTPrevious research has shown that exchanges of support within social networks reduce the loneliness of older adults. However, there is no consistent evidence on how types of support (instrumental and emotional) and the direction of that support (giving and receiving) are related to loneliness, and whether the effects are culture-specific. The aim of this study was to investigate support exchanges and their effects on loneliness in Spain and the Netherlands. We suggest that cultural differences, such as more interdependent cultural values in Southern Europe and more independence-related values in Northern Europe, influence social realities such as the social support exchanged. In Spain relationships with family members are determined by mutual obligations; older people expect to receive instrumental support from them. However, in Northern Europe independence is highly valued and intimacy and closeness are shown primarily by confiding about personal matters. This paper examined data from two comparable surveys, one in Spain (N=646) and one in the Netherlands (N=656). Older adults in Spain provide for, and receive, high amounts of instrumental support and this proved to be a protective factor against loneliness. An alternative pattern was found in the Netherlands where respondents provided more and received more emotional support than Spanish older adults; emotional support is a protective factor in the Netherlands (but only for support received).

scholarly journals Social Support Patterns of Middle-Aged and Older Adults Within a Physical Activity App: Secondary Mixed Method Analysis

JMIR Aging ◽  
10.2196/12496 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. e12496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zakkoyya H Lewis ◽  
Maria C Swartz ◽  
Eloisa Martinez ◽  
Elizabeth J Lyons
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
The Social ◽  
Method Analysis

Background Physical activity (PA) is critical for maintaining independence and delaying mobility disability in aging adults. However, 27 to 44% of older adults in the United States are meeting the recommended PA level. Activity trackers are proving to be a promising tool to promote PA adherence through activity tracking and enhanced social interaction features. Although social support has been known to be an influential behavior change technique to promote PA, how middle-aged and older adults use the social interaction feature of mobile apps to provide virtual support to promote PA engagement remains mostly underexplored. Objective This study aimed to describe the social support patterns of middle-aged and older adults using a mobile app as part of a behavioral PA intervention. Methods Data from 35 participants (mean age 61.66 [SD 6] years) in a 12-week, home-based activity intervention were used for this secondary mixed method analysis. Participants were provided with a Jawbone Up24 activity monitor and an Apple iPad Mini installed with the UP app to facilitate self-monitoring and social interaction. All participants were given an anonymous account and encouraged to interact with other participants using the app. Social support features included comments and likes. Thematic coding was used to identify the type of social support provided within the UP app and characterize the levels of engagement from users. Participants were categorized as superusers or contributors, and passive participants were categorized as lurkers based on the literature. Results Over the 12-week intervention, participants provided a total of 3153 likes and 1759 comments. Most participants (n=25) were contributors, with 4 categorized as superusers and 6 categorized as lurkers. Comments were coded as emotional support, informational support, instrumental support, self-talk, and other, with emotional support being the most prevalent type. Conclusions Our cohort of middle-aged and older adults was willing to use the social network feature in an activity app to communicate with anonymous peers. Most of our participants were contributors. In addition, the social support provided through the activity app followed social support constructs. In sum, PA apps are a promising tool for delivering virtual social support to enhance PA engagement and have the potential to make a widespread impact on PA promotion. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01869348; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01869348

scholarly journals Social Support Patterns of Middle-Aged and Older Adults Within a Physical Activity App: Secondary Mixed Method Analysis (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zakkoyya H Lewis ◽  
Maria C Swartz ◽  
Eloisa Martinez ◽  
Elizabeth J Lyons
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
The Social ◽  
Method Analysis

BACKGROUND Physical activity (PA) is critical for maintaining independence and delaying mobility disability in aging adults. However, 27 to 44% of older adults in the United States are meeting the recommended PA level. Activity trackers are proving to be a promising tool to promote PA adherence through activity tracking and enhanced social interaction features. Although social support has been known to be an influential behavior change technique to promote PA, how middle-aged and older adults use the social interaction feature of mobile apps to provide virtual support to promote PA engagement remains mostly underexplored. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to describe the social support patterns of middle-aged and older adults using a mobile app as part of a behavioral PA intervention. METHODS Data from 35 participants (mean age 61.66 [SD 6] years) in a 12-week, home-based activity intervention were used for this secondary mixed method analysis. Participants were provided with a Jawbone Up24 activity monitor and an Apple iPad Mini installed with the UP app to facilitate self-monitoring and social interaction. All participants were given an anonymous account and encouraged to interact with other participants using the app. Social support features included comments and likes. Thematic coding was used to identify the type of social support provided within the UP app and characterize the levels of engagement from users. Participants were categorized as superusers or contributors, and passive participants were categorized as lurkers based on the literature. RESULTS Over the 12-week intervention, participants provided a total of 3153 likes and 1759 comments. Most participants (n=25) were contributors, with 4 categorized as superusers and 6 categorized as lurkers. Comments were coded as emotional support, informational support, instrumental support, self-talk, and other, with emotional support being the most prevalent type. CONCLUSIONS Our cohort of middle-aged and older adults was willing to use the social network feature in an activity app to communicate with anonymous peers. Most of our participants were contributors. In addition, the social support provided through the activity app followed social support constructs. In sum, PA apps are a promising tool for delivering virtual social support to enhance PA engagement and have the potential to make a widespread impact on PA promotion. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01869348; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01869348

THE ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL SUPPORT AND ACTIVITIES WITH HEALTH IN SOUTH KOREA: DIFFERENCES IN AGE AND GENDER

2010 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 409-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
SANG-SIK MOON ◽  
SANG-MI PARK ◽  
SUNG-IL CHO
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Older Men ◽  
Poor Health ◽  
Instrumental Support ◽  
Social Activities ◽  
Age And Gender ◽  
And Gender

SummaryThis study investigated gender difference in the effects of social support, including emotional support and instrumental support (such as help when sick and financial assistance), and social activities on perceived health of middle-aged and older adults in South Korea. Data were acquired from 3771 men and 4954 women aged 40 years and older who participated in the 2005 cross-sectional survey of the Seoul Citizens Health and Social Indicators Survey. Using multiple regression analysis, both age- and gender-specific differences related to social support and engagement in social activities and self-rated poor health were examined. Poor emotional support from close friends, relatives or someone with whom one could talk about worries was strongly associated with poor self-rated health in men, with the greatest effect in older men. Lack of engagement in social activities was associated with self-rated poor health in older adults, especially in older men. Poor instrumental support was associated with perceived poor health only in middle-aged women. As a health improvement strategy for men aged 65 years and older especially, emotional support should be considered. Measures should be considered for encouraging social activities by older adults, particularly older men.

Social Support and Happiness in Immigrant Women in Spain

2012 ◽  
Vol 110 (3) ◽  
pp. 977-990 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Manuel Dominguez-Fuentes ◽  
María Isabel Hombrados-Mendieta
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Indigenous Population ◽  
Immigrant Women ◽  
Instrumental Support ◽  
Informational Support ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Family ◽  
Sources Of Support

The association between perceived social support and happiness was investigated in women who are members of various associations in Malaga (Spain) that work with immigrant women. Based on the Social Convoy model, the association between sources of support, frequency of support, satisfaction with support, and happiness reported by women were examined. The main social support predictor of happiness was satisfaction with the support received. Thus, the best predictors of happiness were emotional support from the family and instrumental support from the indigenous population and associations. The best predictor of frequency of support was the frequency of informational support received from social services. These results may prove useful for developing lines of action or interventions centred on the social network and the functions that social support can fulfil among immigrant women.

Quality of support in the social networks of older Filipino church members: an exploratory study

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-53
Author(s):  
Madelene Avila Sta. Maria ◽  
Alexis Aeriel Cruz Bonanza ◽  
Paul Angelo Siababa Arcega
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Role Ambiguity ◽  
Instrumental Support ◽  
Church Members ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the quality of social relationships of older Filipino church members by determining their perceptions of support and non-support in their social network. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research approach with semi-structured interviews was utilized. A purposive sample of six Filipino older adults (ages 60-89) were invited and agreed to participate in the study. Findings The themes found in the study confirmed the types of support outlined in social convoy theory. Several unique nuances in the types of support and non-support between the interactions of older adult Filipinos with people very close to them, somewhat close to them, and merely acquainted with them were identified. The themes of support include instrumental support, emotional care, social connectedness, and companionship during engagement in activities. Themes characterising lack of support include disrespect and lack of understanding, constraining one’s actions, helplessness in responding to the other’s needs, non-dependability and non-reliability, difficulty in maintaining social connections, making it difficult to play a desired or expected role. Research limitations/implications The study’s limitations are the small sample size, the quality of support explored only through nominating two members of each level of closeness in the older adults’ social convoy, sample size adequacy to reach data saturation, and the lack of data on support reciprocity that may influence the respondents’ perceptions of support and non-support. Practical implications The findings of the paper point to possible interventions to improve social support for the older population. The road map for those interested in developing interventions should also put some emphasis on older adults’ needs in their continued societal engagement. Interventions may involve facilitating role transitions and providing social support systems attuned to the needs of the elderly. Social implications The authors speculate that this lack of support experienced by the older adults relates to the loss of societal roles, especially as this relates to their identity, meaning, and changes in social interactions within their communities. It is therefore important that interventions be planned to provide structures for older adults’ transitions in their re-engagement in society and into the work-force, thereby reducing this sense of role ambiguity and providing them with more positive identities in their communities. Originality/value The results suggest another form of support distinct from the emotional and instrumental support elaborated in previous work. This support is identified as companionship from within the social network that allows older adults to sustain engagement in meaningful activities. The study’s results further suggest a lack of clarity in societal roles, i.e. a sense of role ambiguity, which older adults may experience in the transitioning from adulthood to later adulthood.

scholarly journals Dukungan Sosial Teman Virtual Melalui Media Instagram pada Remaja Akhir

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 111
Author(s):  
Ainun Rahmawati ◽  
Yuni Nurhamida
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Instrumental Support ◽  
Informational Support ◽  
Purposive Sampling ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
The Social ◽  
Fourth Form

Abstrak. Remaja akhir sendiri memiliki kebutuhan untuk berkomunikasi dengan teman sebaya, sehingga media instagram menjadi kebutuhan sehari-hari. Media instagram merupakan kemajuan teknologi yang perlahan menggeser sosialisasi secara langsung menjadi virtual. Dukungan sosial teman virtual yaitu dukungan sosial yang didapat melalui dunia maya. Tujuan dari penelitian ini untuk menggambarkan dukungan sosial teman virtual melalui media instagram. Subjek penelitian berjumlah 428 mahasiswa dengan metode pengambilan data purposive sampling. Pengumpulan data dalam penelitian ini menggunakan kuisoner berdasarkan bentuk dukungan yaitu bentuk dukungan sosial instrumental, informasional, emosional, penghargaan diri dan jaringan sosial. Hasil dari penelitian ini yaitu bentuk dukungan tertinggi pada dukungan instrumental berjumlah 86,9 %, urutan kedua yaitu bentuk dukungan informasional berjumlah 79,7 %, urutan ketiga yaitu bentuk dukungan jaringan sosial berjumlah 56,5 %, diurutan keempat bentuk dukungan penghargaan berjumlah 34,8% dan diuruta kelima bentuk dukungan emosional berjumlah 23,6 %. Kata kunci : dukungan sosial teman virtual, instagram, remaja akhir Abstract. Late teens themselves have a need to communicate with peers, so that instagram media into their daily needs. Media instagram is slowly shifting technological advances directly into a virtual socialization. Social support virtual friends that social support is obtained through cyberspace. The purpose of this study to describe the social support virtual friends via instagram media. Subjects numbered 428 students with purposive sampling method of data collection. Collecting data in this study using a questionnaire based on the form of support is a form of social support instrumental, informational, emotional, self-esteem and social networks. Results from this research that the highest form of support in instrumental support amounted to 86.9%, The second sequence that forms informational support amounted to 79.7%, the third is a form of social networking support amounted to 56.5%, in fourth form of support awards amounted to 34.8% and the fifth in the form of emotional support amounted to 23.6%. Keywords: social support virtual friends, instagram, late adolescence

scholarly journals Social support of people with HIV/AIDS: the Social Determinants of Health Model

2018 ◽  
Vol 71 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 625-630 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa da Frota Santos ◽  
Samyla Citó Pedrosa ◽  
Priscila de Souza Aquino ◽  
Ivana Cristina Vieira de Lima ◽  
Gilmara Holanda da Cunha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Instrumental Support ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Social ◽  
Health Model ◽  
Hiv Aids

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the social support of people with HIV/AIDS from the perspective of the Social Determinants of Health Model. Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 2015 in an infectious disease outpatient clinic. The sample was made up of 116 people with HIV/AIDS. The data was collected through interviews, using a sociodemographic form and a social support scale. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, and Student’s t-tests and Mann-Whitney tests were performed to determine the association between social support and the social determinants of health. Results: Total social support was satisfactory, emotional support was influenced by smoking (p=0.0432) and instrumental support, by the number of people in the household (p=0.0003). The main source of instrumental and emotional support was relatives living outside the household, corresponding to 66.7% and 56.1%, respectively. Conclusion: It was found that smokers havelower emotional support and people living alone received less instrumental support.

scholarly journals Social Support and Living Situation of Older Adults With Hip-Fracture: A Retrospective Cohort Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 618-618
Author(s):  
Alexandra Krassikova ◽  
Steven Stewart ◽  
Jennifer Bethell ◽  
Aileen Davis ◽  
Katherine McGilton
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Hip Fracture ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Inpatient Rehabilitation ◽  
Instrumental Support ◽  
Living Situation ◽  
Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Sustaining a hip-fracture is a life-changing event negatively affecting older adults. Although, social support is a known determinant of health outcomes, the relationship between social support and living situation of older adults with hip fracture remains under researched. For this study social support is conceptualized using the Finfgeld-Connett framework, where social support is seen as being composed of emotional and instrumental support. The objectives were to examine the relationship between two domains of social support and living situation: 1) after discharge; 2) 3-months after discharge; and 3) 6-months after discharge from an inpatient rehabilitation facility in a sample of older adults with hip fracture. Emotional support was measured as frequency of interaction with someone one week prior to hip fracture, whereas instrumental support was measured as help received in instrumental activities of daily living. Logistic regression was performed to examine the association between social support and living situation. Majority of study participants (N=139) were older (mean age 81.31), female (77.70%), had no cognitive impairment (68.35%), were not married (58.99%), and lived with someone (51.80%) in their own house (71.95%). Older adults with more emotional support were more likely to be discharged home, however little can be said about the effect of the association (OR 6.80, 95% CI 1.08, 22.31, P<.001). Persons receiving more instrumental support had less odds of living at home 3-months (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.21, 0.78; P=.007) and 6-months after discharge (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.38, 0.91, P=0.017). Social support is important for older adults during recovery.

scholarly journals Effects of Different Types of Perceived Social Support on Changes in Subjective Health among Older Adults: A Focus on Gender Differences

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 323-332
Author(s):  
Miok Ha ◽  
Seungja Kang
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Subjective Health ◽  
Instrumental Support ◽  
Health Promotion Programs ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Over Time

Purpose: This longitudinal study aimed to investigate which types of perceived social support are associated with changes in subjective health over time among Korean older adults. We further explored whether these associations vary by older adults' gender.Methods: The current study examined 3,650 older adults drawn from additional survey data of the 6th and 7th waves of the Korean Retirement and Income Study (KReIS). Data were analyzed using hierarchical linear regression analyses.Results: Higher perceived instrumental and emotional supports significantly associated with less decline in subjective health over 2 years. Gender only moderated the association between emotional support and changes in subjective health. That is, higher emotional support associated with less decline in subjective health among older women, but not among older men.Conclusion: These findings suggest that instrumental support is the strongest predictor of older adults' changes in health over time, indicating the need for public supports for those who lack instrumental support from their social ties. Health promotion programs for older women should aim to enhance their perceived emotional support to protect them from faster declines in subjective health over time.

Sources of Social Support and Attachment Styles among Israeli Arab Students

2004 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adital Ben-Ari
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Instrumental Support ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Family ◽  
Patterns Of Utilization ◽  
Arab Students ◽  
Sources Of Support

This study identifies patterns of utilization of social support among Israeli Arab students.The sample consisted of 64 Arab students. Findings show that Arab students distinguish between emotional and instrumental support and allocate sources of support accordingly. Emotional support is sought within the social network and instrumental support is sought within the family.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document