scholarly journals Church and Family Informal Social Support Networks of African Americans

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 658-658
Author(s):  
Robert Taylor ◽  
Linda Chatters
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Social Support Networks ◽  
Church Members ◽  
Alternative Source ◽  
Informal Social Support ◽  
Family Networks ◽  
Socially Isolated

Abstract Social support networks are an integral component of an individual’s life. This presentation investigates the complementary roles of family and church members as sources of informal social support among African Americans. The analysis utilizes the African American sub-sample of the National Survey of American Life. A pattern variable was constructed that describes four types of church and family networks: 1) received support from both family and church members, 2) received support from family members only, 3) received support from church members only, and 4) never received support from family nor church members. Overall the findings indicated 1) the majority of African Americans received support from both groups, 2) a small group of respondents were socially isolated in that they did not receive assistance from either family or church members, 3) for some African Americans who were estranged from their family members, church members were an alternative source of social support. Part of a symposium sponsored by the Religion, Spirituality and Aging Interest Group.

Informal Social Support Networks and Subjective Well-Being among African Americans

2001 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 439-463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Joseph Taylor ◽  
Linda M. Chatters ◽  
Cheryl Burns Hardison ◽  
Anna Riley
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Social Support Networks ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Informal Social Support

Gender, informal social support networks, and elderly urban African Americans

1998 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith C. Barker ◽  
Joelle Morrows ◽  
Linda S. Mitteness
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Social Support Networks ◽  
Informal Social Support

scholarly journals Building and Connecting: Family Strategies for Developing Social Support Networks for Adults With Down Syndrome

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 128-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne E. Roll ◽  
Barbara J. Bowers
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Down Syndrome ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Support Networks ◽  
The Social ◽  
Professional Resources

Being embedded in social networks is crucial for well-being and health. While this is particularly the case for people with Down syndrome (DS), our knowledge of how their support networks are developed is limited. This article investigates the role of family members in developing and maintaining the social support networks of their adult children with DS. Based on 29 interviews with family members, a grounded theory study was conducted. The Family Building and Connecting (BAC) framework was developed, which distinguishes a “building” and a “connecting” approach. The building approach includes strategies that rely on family members and close friends for building a support network for the person with DS. The connecting approach includes strategies that connect the person with DS to external and often professional resources and services. Distinguishing these approaches is important for future research and for strengthening the support networks of people with DS and their families.

Abstract T MP70: Dense Households and Weak Social Networks Increase Risk of Recurrent Vascular Events

Stroke ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kezhen Fei ◽  
Sarah Albala ◽  
Leigh Quarles ◽  
Bernadette Boden-Albala
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Social Support Networks ◽  
Vascular Events ◽  
Family Networks ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Increase Risk ◽  
Race Ethnicity

Background: Social isolation is associated with increased vascular events post stroke, but the role of living arrangements versus social networks on stroke outcomes has not been well explored. We aim to characterize these associations overall and by race-ethnicity. Methods: The Stroke Warning Information and Faster Treatment (SWIFT) study tested a stroke preparedness intervention on arrival times for stroke/TIA recurrence to the ED. Stroke/TIA patients able to consent were prospectively recruited and randomized. Baseline data collection included demographics, medical history, socioeconomic status (SES), and social support networks. Living arrangements were categorized as living alone, living with one or 2 people, or living with three or more people (dense household). Weak social support networks defined as 4 or less family or friend visits in past week. Participants were followed for a mean of 2.9 years. An outcome of vascular event was defined as stroke, TIA, MI, or death post enrollment. Multivariate logistic regression models examined the relationship between vascular outcomes, living arrangements and social support networks adjusting for demographics, health and SES. Results: Between 2005 and 2009 1193 participants were enrolled: mean age 63 years; 51% Hispanics, 26% whites, and 17% Blacks; 50% female; and 42% < high school education. Over 24% lived alone, 23% lived with spouse/partner only, and 21% lived in dense households. In adjusted logistic models, post stroke vascular events were associated with dense households [RR 1.5 (95% CI: 1.1 - 1.9)], and weak family networks [RR 1.9 (95% CI: 1.4 - 2.8)]. Stratifying by race-ethnicity, the results remained significant for Hispanics where dense households [RR 1.9 (95% CI: 1.3 - 2.6)], weak family networks [RR 2.8 (95% CI: 1.5 - 5.1)], and weak friend networks [RR 1.5 (95% CI: 1.0 - 2.5)] increased vascular events post stroke. Conclusion: Living in dense households can increase risk of vascular events post stroke, while stronger social support networks can decrease this risk especially among Hispanic stroke survivors. Future research is needed to explore the mechanism of these associations and to identify possible racial/ethnic tailored interventions based on living arrangements and social networks.

scholarly journals The Importance of Social Support Networks on Mental Health Status of Custodial Grandparents

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 261-261
Author(s):  
Deborah Whitley ◽  
Youjung Lee ◽  
Yanfeng Xu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Support Service ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Social Support Networks ◽  
Health State ◽  
Custodial Grandparents ◽  
Socially Isolated

Abstract This symposium presents a collection of papers that examine the concept of social support and its effect on custodial grandparents’ (CG) mental health state. Each paper explores a different perspective about grandparents’ access to and/or use of social support networks and mental health outcomes; several papers view social support within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nadorff and colleagues explore social support by middle-generation family members and its effects on grandparents’ stress and depressive symptoms. Musil and colleagues report on psychosocial and social support predictors of self-appraised healthcare and financial security by CG during the Covid-19 pandemic. Whitley and Kelley describe current social networks relied upon by a preliminary sample of CG while managing the daily stresses and strains associated with COVID-19 and its restrictive mandates. The final two papers report the use of specialized technology and support services delivered to homebound CG during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lee and colleagues describe a telemental health model using Solution-Focused Brief Therapy to serve socially isolated grandparents experiencing mental health distress as during the pandemic. Mendoza and Park report on program challenges and outcomes of implementing a support service for grandparents living under COVID-19 restrictions. The highlights of the papers will be discussed by Yanfeng Xu and give attention to the ways scholars and practitioners can build upon these works to maximize the mental health outcomes of CG, while managing to live in socially restrictive and challenging environments.

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