Health and suffering are associated with social support: a cross-sectional study of women and mothers with exhaustion and pain

Abstract Background Despite women are generally overrepresented in behavioral, mental, and musculoskeletal disorders, motherhood as a central part of women’s life is poorly understood in relation to exhaustion and long-lasting pain. Mothers’ health impairments imply suffering both for herself and her family. A profound understanding of health is needed taking mothers’ subjective health experience, their suffering and life situation into account to give women, their families and society better prerequisites to alleviate exhaustion and long-lasting pain. The aim of the study was to describe health and suffering of women and mothers undergoing rehabilitation for long-lasting pain and exhaustion and its correlation with perceived social support. Methods The study had a cross-sectional design with an exploratory approach. A main sample consisted of 166 women undergoing rehabilitation for exhaustion and long-lasting pain and a reference sample included 129 women working and studying within health care professions. Both samples included women with and without children. Women’s subjective health and suffering was assessed from a caring science perspective using the recently developed and validated Health and Suffering Scale. Two additional scales measuring exhaustion and social support were distributed among the two samples. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression models, including health and suffering and perceived social support, were analyzed. Results Mothers undergoing rehabilitation for pain and exhaustion reported significantly poorer health and more suffering compared to healthy mothers, but similar health and suffering when compared with childless women in rehabilitation. Health and suffering were correlated with perceived social support among both healthy and exhausted mothers. In both samples, the correlation between health and suffering and social support was stronger among mothers than among women without children. Conclusions Women and mothers living with exhaustion and long-lasting pain show signs of unbearable suffering and perceived insufficient social support. Social support from various sources particularly helps mothers to create meaning in life and make their suffering bearable. Hence, health care must address the fact that mothers are dependent on their immediate social environment and that this dependency interacts with their health and suffering on an existential level.

Download Full-text

Predictors of Health Care Seeking Pace Among Newly-Diagnosed Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients In Cebu City, Philippines: A Cross-Sectional Study

10.21203/rs.2.11528/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

MARK JOHNUEL MATABILAS DUAVIS1

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Health Care ◽

Marital Status ◽

Perceived Social Support ◽

Social Stigma ◽

Health Care Seeking ◽

Care Seeking ◽

Newly Diagnosed ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Perceived Dangerousness

Abstract Background Tuberculosis remains a major public health dilemma in the Philippines. While free and effective TB diagnosis and treatment have been made available since 1996, a number of patients still delay accessing them resulting to increased TB mortality and community transmission. This study is aimed at determining the significant variables that can predict a TB patient’s pace in seeking appropriate health care. Methods A descriptive, correlational cross-sectional survey was done to 127 newly-diagnosed TB patients from 10 government-owned TB DOTS facilities in Cebu City. Participants were categorically grouped into Prompt Health Seekers and Delayed Health Seekers using a norm-referenced median dichotomy. Descriptive and inferential analysis utilized included Chi-square Test, Pearson’s Correlation and Discriminant Analysis. Results A mean health care seeking delay of 59 days (median=49) was recorded. Most of the participants experienced unexplained cough which they perceived as only slightly dangerous. 38% of them reported not knowing any symptom related to TB while 39% were not aware of the free public TB services. Most patients have made 2-3 prior health recourses, mostly through self-medication, before finally contacting a DOTS facility. Marital status (p=0.004), the number of symptoms experienced (p=0.000), first symptom experienced (p=0.016), perceived dangerousness of all symptoms experienced (p=0.009), perceived dangerousness of the first symptom experienced (p=0.001), perceived social stigma (p=0.035) and, perceived social support (p=0.002) were found to be significantly associated with the patients’ health care seeking pace. Extending to multivariate analysis, five independent variables namely marital status (p=0.037), number of symptoms experienced (p=0.018), perceived dangerousness of all the symptoms experienced (p=0.028), perceived social stigma (p=0.026) and, perceived social support (p=0.001) can significantly predict the patients’ health care seeking pace. Conclusion A considerable health care seeking delay of 59 days was documented, especially among those with lower perception of social support, higher perception of social stigma and those who do not currently have partners. Patients who experienced more symptoms and those who view these symptoms as less dangerous were, however, likely to seek immediate health care. Reducing health care seeking delays through intensified health information campaigns, strengthening social support systems and reducing social stigma is recommended.

Download Full-text

The role of psychosocial determinants in predicting adherence to treatment in patient with hypertension

Interventional Medicine and Applied Science ◽

10.1556/1646.10.2018.43 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 8-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mohammad Reza Asgari ◽

Hamid Bouraghi ◽

Ali Mohammadpour ◽

Mina Haghighat ◽

Raheleh Ghadiri

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Health Care ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Access To Health Care ◽

Perceived Social Support ◽

Correlation Study ◽

Adherence To Treatment ◽

Treatment Access ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Access To Health

Introduction Non-adherence in patients with hypertension directly exacerbates clinical outcomes. The purpose of the present research is to study the recognition of the relationships between the perceived social support and self-efficacy and the satisfaction of health care agents and the interaction of the patient with therapeutic personnel and access to health care and the behaviors of adherence to treatment in the patients who suffer hypertension. Materials and methods This descriptive cross-sectional correlation study recruited 250 patients from a specialized hypertension clinic in Semnan, who completed the following questionnaires: Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, self-efficacy, adherence to treatment, access to and satisfaction with health care, and the patient’s interaction with treatment personnel. Results An overall statistical description of the sample consists of 89 (35.6%) men and 161 (64.4%) women (SD = 10.41, range = 51.98). Regression coefficient of previous variables (three steps) shows that self-efficacy share, consent form civil services, and job could demonstrate with 99% certainty in the changes of treatment conformity in a meaningful way. Conclusions High self-efficacy, satisfaction with health care, and a favorable job have a high direct effect on adherence to treatment in patients with hypertension and controlling hypertension. Social support and education do not have a significant impact on adherence to treatment.

Download Full-text

Conflict Avoidance in Old Age

GeroPsych ◽

10.1024/1662-9647/a000168 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 30 (2) ◽

pp. 61-70 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Lia Oberhauser ◽

Andreas B. Neubauer ◽

Eva-Marie Kessler

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Perceived Social Support ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Conflict Avoidance ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Adult Lifespan ◽

Set Up

Abstract. Conflict avoidance increases across the adult lifespan. This cross-sectional study looks at conflict avoidance as part of a mechanism to regulate belongingness needs ( Sheldon, 2011 ). We assumed that older adults perceive more threats to their belongingness when they contemplate their future, and that they preventively react with avoidance coping. We set up a model predicting conflict avoidance that included perceptions of future nonbelonging, termed anticipated loneliness, and other predictors including sociodemographics, indicators of subjective well-being and perceived social support (N = 331, aged 40–87). Anticipated loneliness predicted conflict avoidance above all other predictors and partially mediated the age-association of conflict avoidance. Results suggest that belongingness regulation accounts may deepen our understanding of conflict avoidance in the second half of life.

Download Full-text

Testing the Strain Theory of Suicide – The Moderating Role of Social Support

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000604 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (2) ◽

pp. 82-88 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Bob Lew ◽

Ksenia Chistopolskaya ◽

Yanzheng Liu ◽

Mansor Abu Talib ◽

Olga Mitina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Suicidal Behavior ◽

Online Survey ◽

Perceived Social Support ◽

Strain Theory ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Psychological Strains ◽

Moderating Role

Abstract. Background: According to the strain theory of suicide, strains, resulting from conﬂicting and competing pressures in an individual's life, are hypothesized to precede suicide. But social support is an important factor that can mitigate strains and lessen their input in suicidal behavior. Aims: This study was designed to assess the moderating role of social support in the relation between strain and suicidality. Methods: A sample of 1,051 employees were recruited in Beijing, the capital of China, through an online survey. Moderation analysis was performed using SPSS PROCESS Macro. Social support was measured with the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and strains were assessed with the Psychological Strains Scale. Results: Psychological strains are a good predictor of suicidality, and social support, a basic need for each human being, moderates and decreases the effects of psychological strains on suicidality. Limitations: The cross-sectional survey limited the extent to which conclusions about causal relationships can be drawn. Furthermore, the results may not be generalized to the whole of China because of its diversity. Conclusion: Social support has a tendency to mitigate the effects of psychological strains on suicidality.

Download Full-text

Perceived social support and burden of care of male and female caregivers of patient with schizophrenia

Indian Journal of Psychiatric Social Work ◽

10.29120/ijpsw.2017.v8.i1.7 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 10

Author(s):

Narendra Kumar Singh ◽

Nishant Goyal

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Perceived Social Support ◽

Family Members ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Burden Of Care ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Male And Female ◽

The Social ◽

The Difference

Background: Schizophrenia is associated with a high familial, social and economic burden. Schizophrenia is also associated with a high level of disability which may create impediments on the social and economic areas of the patients as well as on their respective family networks. Families with schizophrenia may encounter problems such as impairment of health and well being of other family members, restriction of social activities of the family members and shrinking of support from the social network. Aims: The present study examined the difference in perceived social support and burden of care between the male and female caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study examining the difference in perceived social support and burden of care between the male and female caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. The sample consisted of 60 (30 male and 30 female) caregivers of the patients with the diagnosis of schizophrenia as per ICD-10-DCR. Results and Conclusion: This study revealed that male caregivers perceived more social support and less burden of care as compared to female caregivers. Key words: Gender, social support, burden

Download Full-text

Suicide attempt and its associated factors amongst women who were pregnant as adolescents in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study

Reproductive Health ◽

10.1186/s12978-021-01127-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jie Li ◽

Syeda Zerin Imam ◽

Zhengyue Jing ◽

Yi Wang ◽

Chengchao Zhou

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Health Status ◽

Adolescent Pregnancy ◽

Young Women ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Perceived Social Support ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract Background Adolescent pregnancy is a risk factor for suicide. We aimed to assess the prevalence of suicide attempts among young women with adolescent pregnancy in Bangladesh and to explore its associated factors. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we surveyed young women with adolescent pregnancy in urban and rural areas in Bangladesh to assess suicide attempts, socio-demographic and pregnancy-related characteristics, perceived health status, and perceived social support. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between potentially related factors and suicide attempts. Results Of the participants, 6.5% (61/940) reported suicide attempts in the past 12 months, and the majority (88.5%) of the attempts happened within one year after the pregnancy. Participants with more years after first pregnancy (odds ratio (OR) = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.37–0.61) and more perceived social support from friends (OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.55–0.86) were less likely to have suicide attempts, and those perceived bad health status compared with good/fair health status (OR = 8.38, 95% CI: 3.08–22.76) were more likely to attempt suicide. Conclusions Women with adolescent pregnancy were at high risk of suicide attempts, especially those during the first postnatal year. The risk of suicide attempts attenuated with the time after pregnancy, and perceived social support from friends was a protective factor and perceived bad health status was a risk factor for suicide attempts among young women who have experienced adolescent pregnancy.

Download Full-text

Social Engagement and Episodic Memory in Non-Hispanic Black and White Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1101 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 343-343

Author(s):

Abbey Hamlin ◽

A Zarina Kraal ◽

Laura Zahodne

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Cognitive Aging ◽

Social Engagement ◽

Future Research ◽

Social Activities ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Significant Positive Association ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract Social engagement may confer cognitive benefits in older adulthood, but studies have typically been restricted to largely non-Hispanic White (NHW) samples. Levels of social engagement vary across race such that NHW report larger social networks, more frequent participation in social activities, and greater social support than non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB). Associations between social engagement and cognition may also vary by race, but research is sparse. The current cross-sectional study examined associations between different aspects of social engagement and episodic memory performance, as well as interactions between social engagement and race among NHB and NHW participants in the Michigan Cognitive Aging Project (N = 247; 48.4% NHB; age = 64.19 ± 2.92). Social engagement (network size, activities, support) was self-reported. Episodic memory was a z-score composite of immediate, delayed, and recognition trials of a list-learning task. Separate hierarchical linear regression models quantified interactions between race and each of the three social engagement variables on episodic memory, controlling for sociodemographics, depressive symptoms, and health conditions. Results showed a main effect of more frequent social activity on better episodic memory, as well as an interaction between race and social support indicating a significant positive association in NHB but not NHW. These preliminary findings suggest that participating in social activities may be equally beneficial for episodic memory across NHB and NHW older adults and that social support may be particularly beneficial for NHB. Future research is needed to determine the potential applications of these results in reducing cognitive inequalities through the development of culturally-relevant interventions.

Download Full-text

Relationship between perceived social support and self stigma in caregivers of patients with schizophrenia

International Journal of Social Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/00207640211001886 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 002076402110018

Author(s):

Yeliz Karaçar ◽

Kerime Bademli

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

High School Graduates ◽

Perceived Social Support ◽

Mental Health Center ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Skill Training ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Social Support Scale ◽

Schizophrenic Patients

Background: The study was conducted to determine the relationship between self-stigmatization and perceived social support in caregivers of schizophrenia with patient. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. The study sample consisted of 84 participants who cared for schizophrenic patients registered in a community mental health center. In the data collection, the ‘Self-stigmatizing Scale for Families’ and ‘Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale’ were used. The data were analyzed via frequency, mean, standard deviation, Cronbach’s alpha analysis, linear regression, Pearson correlation analysis, independent samples t-test, and ANOVA test. Results: Self-stigmatization (32.48 ± 15.15) and perceived social support (44.36 ± 22.88) were found to be moderate in caregivers. Self-stigmatization was found to be higher in caregivers who do not work; have a spouse, mother, or father; have a disease; do not receive support from their family and have not received any education about schizophrenia ( p < .05). It was determined that, with increasing age, perceived social support decreases, and the perception of social support increases in caregivers who are high school graduates, working, having children, have no illness, and are educated about schizophrenia ( p < .05). It was determined that, as the level of perceived social support increases in caregivers, self-stigmatization decreases ( p < .05). Conclusion: It was determined that, as the perceived social support increases in caregivers, self-stigmatization decreases. We recommend providing informative support about schizophrenia, to increase hope and social-skill training, and to implement interventions that include caregivers in the fight against stigma.

Download Full-text

Hospital Processes and the Nurse-Patient Interaction in Breast Cancer Care. Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18158224 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (15) ◽

pp. 8224

Author(s):

Johanna Sophie Lubasch ◽

Susan Lee ◽

Christoph Kowalski ◽

Marina Beckmann ◽

Holger Pfaff ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Social Support ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Perceived Social Support ◽

Patient Characteristics ◽

Patient Survey ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Patient Interaction ◽

Hospital Structures

(1) Background: Evidence suggests that organizational processes of hospitals have an impact on patient-professional interactions. Within the nurse-patient interaction, nurses play a key role providing social support. Factors influencing the nurse-patient interaction have seldomly been researched. We aimed to examine whether the process organization in hospitals is associated with breast cancer patients’ perceived social support from nurses.; (2) Methods: Data analysis based on a cross-sectional patient survey (2979 breast cancer patients, 83 German hospitals) and information on hospital structures. Associations between process organization and perceived social support were analyzed with logistic hierarchical regression models adjusted for patient characteristics and hospital structures.; (3) Results: Most patients were 40–69 years old and classified with UICC stage II or III. Native language, age and hospital ownership status showed significant associations to the perception of social support. Patients treated in hospitals with better process organization at admission (OR 3.61; 95%-CI 1.67, 7.78) and during the hospital stay (OR 2.11; 95%-CI 1.04; 4.29) perceived significantly more social support from nurses.; (4) Conclusions: Designing a supportive nursing work environment and improving process organization in hospitals may create conditions conducive for a supportive patient-nurse interaction. More research is needed to better understand mechanisms behind the associations found.

Download Full-text

Effects of social support, hope and resilience on depressive symptoms within 18 months after diagnosis of prostate cancer

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes ◽

10.1186/s12955-020-01660-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Xinxin Zhao ◽

Ming Sun ◽

Ye Yang

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Social Support ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Perceived Social Support ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Psychosocial Interventions ◽

Epidemiologic Studies ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Modifiable Factors

Abstract Background The prevalence of depression symptoms and related modifiable factors in prostate cancer (PCa) are not well evaluated. We aimed to assess the effects of perceived social support, hope and resilience on depressive symptoms within 18 months after diagnosis of PCa, and to evaluate the role of hope and resilience as mediators of that relationship. Method A cross-sectional study was analyzed in consecutive inpatients with PCa during the months of January 2018 and August 2019. A total of 667 patients eligible for this study completed questionnaires on demographic and clinic variables, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Adult Hope Scale, and Resilience Scale (14 items). All registered patients were all volunteers and anonymous. Depressive symptoms, perceived social support, hope and resilience were measured anonymously. Out of 667 patients, a total of 564 effective respondents (< 30% missing data) became our subjects. Hierarchical linear regression was used to identify the factors associated with depressive symptoms. Asymptotic and resampling strategies were used to conduct the mediating effects of hope and resilience. Results The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 65.9% in PCa patients. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that perceived social support, hope, and resilience together accounted for 27.5% variance of depressive symptoms. Support from family, hope, and resilience significantly associated with depressive symptoms, respectively. Hope (a*b = − 0.0783, BCa95% CI: − 0.134 to − 0.0319, p < 0.05), and resilience (a*b = − 0.1315, BCa95% CI: − 0.1894 to − 0.0783, p < 0.05) significantly mediated the association between perceived social support and depressive symptoms. Conclusions The high prevalence of depressive symptoms among PCa patients should receive more attention. Perceived social support, hope and resilience could be positive resources for combating depressive symptoms, and hope and resilience mediated the association between perceived social support and depressive symptoms. Enhancing social support, particularly the support form family, and improving patients’ outlook and resilience may be potential targets for future psychosocial interventions aimed at reducing depressive symptoms.

Download Full-text