The importance of social support systems and well-being of modern man

Abstract Older adults around the world are living longer. Similarly, in Asian countries longevity of older adults have significantly altered the demographics shift as well as the cultural landscape and needs of the society. These changes have compounded with challenges and needs as a community grapples with how to best take care of aging population. Nepal, a developing country, is also faced with a similar demographic shift among the geriatric population. This shift has brought challenges and needs to communities such as health care, daily living needs, social support systems, economic needs, etc. The geriatric population will require social support systems as they age. Historically, older adults have relied on traditional family support systems for their care and needs maintaining cultural values and norms which may burden immediate or extended family members. Recently, traditional family structures along with social support systems are breaking away from their family trees due to community advancement and modernization, and many are leaving for better economic opportunities. This trend has left many older adults alone in social isolation. Despite challenges in the community, Nepal government doesn’t offer infrastructure for social engagement for older adults. One solution to prevent isolation and loneliness is to establish “senior community centers” (western based concept) for social engaging older adults. Based on ecological framework, this presentation proposes a need of “Senior Community Centers” for older adults where they can become involved in social engagements and receive social supports outside traditional family support systems; thus, optimizing their health and well-being.

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Effect of Social Support Systems on the Psychosocial Well-Being of the Elderly in Old People s Homes in Ibadan

Journal of Gerontology & Geriatric Research ◽

10.4172/2167-7182.1000343 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 5 (5) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Oyinlola Oluwagbemiga

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Support Systems ◽

Well Being ◽

The Elderly ◽

Old People ◽

Social Support Systems

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Virtually Real, But Not Quite There: Social and Economic Barriers to Meeting Virtual Reality’s True Potential for Mental Health

Frontiers in Virtual Reality ◽

10.3389/frvir.2021.627059 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

Author(s):

Daniel Pimentel ◽

Maxwell Foxman ◽

Donna Z. Davis ◽

David M. Markowitz

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Support ◽

Virtual Reality ◽

Support Systems ◽

Well Being ◽

Social Contexts ◽

Theoretical Research ◽

Remote Communication ◽

Limited Effectiveness ◽

Social Support Systems

Strategies to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, namely quarantine and social distancing protocols, have exposed a troubling paradox: mandated isolation meant to preserve well-being has inadvertently contributed to its decline. Prolonged isolation has been associated with widespread loneliness and diminished mental health, with effects compounded by limited face-to-face access to clinical and social support systems. While remote communication technologies (e.g., video chat) can connect individuals with healthcare providers and social networks, remote technologies might have limited effectiveness in clinical and social contexts. In this review, we articulate the promise of Virtual Reality as a conduit to clinical resources and social connection. Furthermore, we outline various social and economic factors limiting the virtual reality industry’s ability to maximize its potential to address mental health issues brought upon by the pandemic. These barriers are delineated across five dimensions: sociocultural, content, affordability, supply chain, and equitable design. After examining potential short- and long-term solutions to these hurdles, we outline potential avenues for applied and theoretical research seeking to validate these solutions. Through this evaluation we seek to (a) emphasize virtual reality’s capacity to improve mental health by connecting communities to clinical and social support systems, (b) identify socioeconomic barriers preventing users from accessing these systems through virtual reality, and (c) discuss solutions that ensure these systems can be equitably accessed via changes to existing and future virtual reality infrastructures.

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A comparison of the relationship between parental efficacy and social support systems of single teen mothers across different family forms in South African low socioeconomic communities

BMC Women s Health ◽

10.1186/s12905-021-01300-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Samantha L. Coert ◽

Babatope O. Adebiyi ◽

Edna Rich ◽

Nicolette V. Roman

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

South Africa ◽

Parenting Practices ◽

Support Systems ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Self Report ◽

Teen Mothers ◽

Parental Efficacy ◽

Social Support Systems ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Background Teenage parenting is recognised as one of the greatest health and social problems in South Africa. Research in South Africa has shown that by the age of 18 years, more than 30% of teens have given birth at least once. Teen mothers may feel disempowered because they are ‘othered’ and consequently, may develop forms of resistance which in most cases may inhibit their ability to parent. Social support is therefore, an imperative intervention for successful teen parenting but this is not clearly understood in South Africa. This study aimed to compare the relationship between parental efficacy and social support systems of single teen mothers across different family forms. Methods A quantitative methodology with a cross-sectional comparative correlation design was conducted with 160 single teen mothers who resided with a family in a low socio-economic community. The participants completed a self-report questionnaire that comprised of the Social Provisions Scale, and the Parenting Sense of Competence scale. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation were used to investigate the data. Results A significant positive relationship between social support and parental efficacy was found. When comparing different family forms, single teen mothers’ residing with one parent reported greater levels of parental efficacy and single teen mothers’ residing with two parents, re-counted high levels of social support under the subscales; guide, reliable and nurture. However, when computing for guardian-skip generation, results show that there is no significant relationship between parental efficacy and social support. As well as no correlation across subscales of social support. Conclusion The positive relationships between social support and parental efficacy are important for planning and applying parenting programmes amongst single teen mothers and facilitating awareness regarding the importance of social support and family forms when considering parenting practices.

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