The social support networks of care leavers from a children's village in Ghana: formal and informal supports

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.

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The Stability and Change in the Social Support Networks of Widowers Following Spousal Bereavement

The Journal of Men s Studies ◽

10.3149/jms.1301.85 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 85-105 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Charles Stelle ◽

Mitsue Uchida

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Support Networks ◽

Social Support Networks ◽

Spousal Bereavement ◽

Stability And Change ◽

The Social ◽

The Stability

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Homelessness in a Post-Soviet City: Weak Social Support and Institutional Alienation

The British Journal of Social Work ◽

10.1093/bjsw/bcz091 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 50 (4) ◽

pp. 1031-1048 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Petru Negură

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Homeless People ◽

Support Networks ◽

Support Network ◽

Couple Relationship ◽

Weak Support ◽

The Social ◽

Care Leavers ◽

Support Relations ◽

Descriptive Statistical Analysis

Abstract Research has shown that most homeless people suffer from weak support from family, relatives and friends. Based on a descriptive statistical analysis with biographical records of 810 subjects, and a thematic analysis of interviews with homeless people (N = 65), people at risk of homelessness (N = 5) and professionals (N = 20), the article explores the social support system of homeless people from Chisinau (Moldova). Only 18.6 per cent of all users of the Shelter for homeless in Chisinau were in a couple relationship (and only 5.6 per cent registered officially). For former detainees (23 per cent of the Shelter users) and care leavers (11 per cent), it is even more difficult to create a couple and to strengthen their social support network, as the institutions they come from did not foster their social support. As homelessness becomes chronic, people build social support networks with other homeless people. This social support helps homeless people to cope with stressful living conditions. The article suggests, in the case of Moldova, that social support relations with family, friends, acquaintances and other homeless people are affected negatively in the absence of policies and institutional measures targeted to encourage and strengthen such relationships.

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Mapping the social support networks of patients

Cancer Nursing Practice ◽

10.7748/cnp2003.06.2.5.31.c74 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 2 (5) ◽

pp. 31-36

Author(s):

Bob Price

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Support Networks ◽

Social Support Networks ◽

The Social

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The social support networks of elderly people in Slovenia during the Covid-19 pandemic

10.31235/osf.io/uat4e ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Marjan Cugmas ◽

Anuška Ferligoj ◽

Tina Kogovšek ◽

Zenel Batagelj

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Elderly People ◽

Elderly Population ◽

Well Being ◽

The Elderly ◽

Support Networks ◽

Support Network ◽

Social Support Networks ◽

Ego Networks ◽

The Social

Population ageing requires society to adjust by ensuring additional types of services and assistance for elderly people. These may be provided by either organized services and sources of informal social support. The latter is especially important since a lack of social support is associated with a lower level of psychological and physical well-being. During the Covid-19 pandemic, social support for the elderly has proven to be even more crucial, also due to physical distancing. Therefore, this study aims to identify and describe the various types of personal social support networks of the elderly population during the coronavirus pandemic. To this end, a survey of Slovenians older than 64 years was conducted from April 25 to May 4, 2020 on a probability Web-panel-based sample (n = 605). The ego-networks were clustered by a hierarchical clustering approach for symbolic data. Clustering was performed for different types of social support (socializing, instrumental support, emotional support) and different characteristics of the social support networks (i.e., type of relationship, number of contacts, geographical distance). The results show that most of the elderly population in Slovenia have a satisfactory social support network, while the share of those without any (accessible) source of social support is significant. The results are particularly valuable for sustainable care policy planning, crisis intervention planning as well as any future waves of the coronavirus.

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