scholarly journals Personal Network Analysis in the Study of Social Support: The Case of Chronic Pain

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 2695 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosario Fernández-Peña ◽  
José Molina ◽  
Oliver Valero
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Network Structure ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Personal Network ◽  
Support Providers

In the context of chronic illness, the individual’s social and relational environment plays a critical role as it can provide the informal support and care over time, beyond healthcare and social welfare institutions. Social Network Analysis represents an appropriate theoretical and methodological approach to study and understand social support since it provides measures of personal network structure, composition and functional content. The aim of this mixed method study is to present the usefulness of Personal Network Analysis to explore social support in the context of chronic pain. Personal and support network data of 30 people with chronic pain (20 alters for each ego, 600 relationships in total) were collected, obtaining measures of personal network structure and composition as well as information about social support characteristics. Also, semi-structured interviews with participants were conducted to identify the context of their experience of pain, their limitations as regards leading an autonomous life, their social support needs and other aspects concerning the effect of pain on their social and relational lives. This approach shows the importance of non-kin social support providers and the significant role of non-providers in the personal networks of people suffering chronic pain.

scholarly journals Satisfaction with Social Support Received from Social Relationships in Cases of Chronic Pain: The Influence of Personal Network Characteristics in Terms of Structure, Composition and Functional Content

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 2706 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosario Fernández-Peña ◽  
José Luis Molina ◽  
Oliver Valero
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Personal Network ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Social ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Functional Content

The worldwide burden of chronic illnesses, constitutes a major public health concern and a serious challenge for health systems. In addition to the strategies of self-management support developed by nursing and health organizations, an individual’s personal network represents a major resource of social support in the long-term. Adopting a cross-sectional design based on personal network analysis methods, the main aim of this study is to explore the relationship between satisfaction with the social support received by individuals suffering chronic pain and the structure, composition, and functional content in social support of their personal networks. We collected personal and support network data from 30 people with chronic pain (20 person’s contacts (alters) for each individual (ego), 600 relationships in total). Additionally, we examined the level of satisfaction with social support in each of the 600 relationships. Bivariate and multivariate tests were performed to analyze the satisfaction with the social support received. Using cluster analysis, we established a typology of the 600 relationships under study. Results showed that higher satisfaction was associated with a balance between degree centrality and betweenness (i.e., measures of network cohesion and network modularity, respectively). Finally, new lines of research are proposed in order to broaden our understanding of this subject.

scholarly journals Social support network of nurses for the care of their own children

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 460-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruna Caroline Rodrigues ◽  
Verônica de Azevedo Mazza ◽  
Ieda Harumi Higarashi
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Social Support Network ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Social ◽  
Need Support ◽  
The Family ◽  
Returning To Work

This exploratory descriptive study, using a qualitative approach, aimed to characterize the social support of nurses in the care of their own children. The participants were ten nurses who were mothers, selected through a snowball method. Data collection occurred from November 2011 to January 2012 through semi-structured interviews and construction of families' genograms and ecomaps. Data were analyzed through Bardin content analysis, leading to the establishment of two categories: (1) Returning to work: the importance of family support and (2) The family and their interactive contexts: types of bonds. The social support network of the family is essential to the lives of these women, who need support, assistance and guidance in directing their activities in everyday overload.

scholarly journals An Epistemic Network Analysis of Patient Decision-Making Regarding Choice of Therapy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Szilvia Zörgő ◽  
Gjalt - Jorn Ygram Peters ◽  
Csajbók-Veres Krisztina ◽  
Anna Jeney ◽  
Andrew Ruis
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Pull Factors ◽  
Push Factors ◽  
Patient Decision Making ◽  
Patient Decision ◽  
Choice Of Therapy

Background: Patient decision-making concerning therapy choice has been thoroughly investigated in the Push/Pull framework: factors pushing the patient away from biomedicine and those pulling them towards Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). Others have examined lay etiology as a potential factor in CAM use.Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with patients employing only biomedicine and those using CAM. The coded and segmented data was quantified and modelled using epistemic network analysis (ENA) to explore what effects push/pull factors and etiology had on the decision-making processes.Results: There was a marked difference between our two subsamples concerning push factors: although both groups exhibited similar scaled relative code frequencies, the CAM network models were more interconnected, indicating that CAM users expressed dissatisfaction with a wider array of phenomena. Among pull factors, a preference for natural therapies accounted for differences between groups but did not retain a strong connection to rejecting conventional treatments. Etiology, particularly adherence to vitalism, was also a critical factor in both choice of therapy and rejection of biomedical treatments.Conclusions: Push factors had a crucial influence on decision-making, not as individual entities, but as a constellation of experienced phenomena. Belief in vitalism affects the patient’s explanatory model of illness, changing the interpretation of other etiological factors and illness itself. Scrutinizing individual push/pull factors or etiology does not explain therapeutic choices; it is from their interplay that decisions arise. Our unified, qualitative-and-quantitative methodological approach offers novel insight into decision-making by displaying connections among codes within patient narratives.

scholarly journals Analysis of User Social Support Network in Online Tumor Community

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 184-194
Author(s):  
Hui Lin ◽  
Shijuan Li
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Personal Information ◽  
Internet Technology ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Social Support Network ◽  
Information Behaviors ◽  
The Social ◽  
Professional Health

AbstractWith the development of Internet technology, online health forums have become indispensable for people who seek non-professional health support. This research focuses on the content posted by cancer patients and their relatives in online health forums and social networks to raise the following research questions: What is the overall view of the social support network in the online tumor community? What are the information behaviors of the online tumor community in different identities of users? How users interact in this community and build this network of social support? What are the topics users would like to share and talk about? What kinds of users could be the key users in this community? Method: Using the post and comment data of the Oncology Forum of Tianya Hospital in 2019, combined with social network analysis and word co-occurrence network analysis, the following conclusions are obtained: (1) There are some central points in the overall social support network, and there are central users consistent with other social networks. (2) Positive users are more likely to comment on others, and it is easier to get others’ comments, while negative users are more likely to share personal information and do not want to participate more in social interaction. (3) Users focus on posting emotional and emotional content in content sharing. Information-based social support information. The social support experience that this type of information brings to users can be positive and negative. (4) The most active group in the patients’ online health community, followed by the patients’ children. (5) The relationship between users and patients is diverse and there are two types of singularity. Users with diverse relationships are more likely to be commented on, and they are more willing to comment on users who also have diverse relationships.

scholarly journals Head-to-Head Comparison of Social Network Assessments in Stroke Survivors

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-24
Author(s):  
Morgan Prust ◽  
Abby Halm ◽  
Simona Nedelcu ◽  
Amber Nieves ◽  
Amar Dhand
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Network Structure ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Personal Network ◽  
Mapping Tool ◽  
Social Network Structure ◽  
Network Mapping

Background and Purpose: Social networks influence human health and disease through direct biological and indirect psychosocial mechanisms. They have particular importance in neurologic disease because of support, information, and healthy behavior adoption that circulate in networks. Investigations into social networks as determinants of disease risk and health outcomes have historically relied on summary indices of social support, such as the Lubben Social Network Scale–Revised (LSNS-R) or the Stroke Social Network Scale (SSNS). We compared these 2 survey tools to personal network (PERSNET) mapping tool, a novel social network survey that facilitates detailed mapping of social network structure, extraction of quantitative network structural parameters, and characterization of the demographic and health parameters of each network member. Methods: In a cohort of inpatient and outpatient stroke survivors, we administered LSNS-R, SSNS, and PERSNET in a randomized order to each patient. We used logistic regression to generate correlation matrices between LSNS-R scores, SSNS scores, and PERSNET’s network structure (eg, size and density) and composition metrics (eg, percent kin in network). We also examined the relationship between LSNS-R-derived risk of social isolation with PERSNET-derived network size. Results: We analyzed survey responses for 67 participants and found a significant correlation between LSNS-R, SSNS, and PERSNET-derived indices of network structure. We found no correlation between LSNS-R, SSNS, and PERSNET-derived metrics of network composition. Personal network mapping tool structural and compositional variables were also internally correlated. Social isolation defined by LSNS-R corresponded to a network size of <5. Conclusions: Personal network mapping tool is a valid index of social network structure, with a significant correlation to validated indices of perceived social support. Personal network mapping tool also captures a novel range of health behavioral data that have not been well characterized by previous network surveys. Therefore, PERSNET offers a comprehensive social network assessment with visualization capabilities that quantifies the social environment in a valid and unique manner.

scholarly journals Gender Differences in Social Support Received by Informal Caregivers: A Personal Network Analysis Approach

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 91 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Rodríguez-Madrid ◽  
María del Río-Lozano ◽  
Rosario Fernandez-Peña ◽  
Jaime Jiménez-Pernett ◽  
Leticia García-Mochón ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Perceived Health ◽  
Personal Network ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Caregiver Support ◽  
Traditional Gender Roles ◽  
And Function

Social support is an important predictor of the health of a population. Few studies have analyzed the influence of caregivers’ personal networks from a gender perspective. The aim of this study was to analyze the composition, structure, and function of informal caregiver support networks and to examine gender differences. It also aimed to explore the association between different network characteristics and self-perceived health among caregivers. We performed a social network analysis study using a convenience sample of 25 female and 25 male caregivers. A descriptive analysis of the caregivers and bivariate analyses for associations with self-perceived health were performed. The structural metrics analyzed were density; degree centrality mean; betweenness centrality mean; and number of cliques, components, and isolates. The variability observed in the structure of the networks was not explained by gender. Some significant differences between men and women were observed for network composition and function. Women received help mainly from women with a similar profile to them. Men’s networks were broader and more diverse and they had more help from outside family circles, although these outcomes were not statistically significant. Our results indicate the need to develop strategies that do not reinforce traditional gender roles, but rather encourage a greater sharing of responsibility among all parties.

scholarly journals The Impact of a Peer Social Support Network from the Perspective of Women with Fibromyalgia: A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (23) ◽  
pp. 12801
Author(s):  
Glòria Reig-Garcia ◽  
Cristina Bosch-Farré ◽  
Rosa Suñer-Soler ◽  
Dolors Juvinyà-Canal ◽  
Núria Pla-Vila ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Complex Disease ◽  
Patient Empowerment ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Social Support Network ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Peer Social Support ◽  
The Impact

Background: Fibromyalgia is a chronic and complex disease whose management by patients requires a high level of commitment. Patient empowerment therefore represents an important milestone in chronic disease treatment and control. We explored the impact of a peer social support network from the perspective of women with fibromyalgia. Methods: A generic qualitative design was proposed for the study, for which women who had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia were purposefully selected. Six semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the collected data were thematically analysed. Results: Three key themes emerged regarding the peer social support network: (1) empowerment (facilitating acceptance of the diagnosis and acting as a source of information); (2) effects on well-being and quality of life (attenuated the stigma, improved physical well-being, provided emotional support and was a socialization medium); and (3), valuable aspects (transmitted feelings of being understood and listened to and increased personal feelings of satisfaction). Conclusions: A peer social support network for women with fibromyalgia exerts positive effects on their physical, mental, and social well-being and empowers them to better manage their disease. Healthcare for women with fibromyalgia should include strategies that connect them through peer social support networks.

Feasibility testing of ecomapping in neuro-oncology caregivers to identify social support networks.

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (30_suppl) ◽  
pp. 66-66
Author(s):  
Echo L. Warner ◽  
Kathrine Parnell ◽  
Adam Louis Cohen ◽  
Howard Colman ◽  
Maija Reblin
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Caregiver Quality ◽  
Additional Support ◽  
And Function

66 Background: The role of family caregivers (FCGs) is expanding in the U.S. health care system, but caregiver burden may adversely affect health. A functional social network of friends, family, and other acquaintances may alleviate FCG burden and improve FCG health by providing support resources. Ecomaps are visualizations that are created to organize and depict information on the size, quality and function of a person’s social network; and, thus, may be a useful tool for highlighting existing support and identifying where additional support is needed. Our objective was to test the feasibility of ecomapping to identify support networks within a sample of neuro-oncology caregivers. Methods: Participants included 4 spouse caregivers of neuro-oncology patients undergoing treatment at a national cancer hospital. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in person (n=3) and by phone (n=1). Participants either completed or were sent example ecomaps and, using the “think-aloud” approach, were asked to describe their social network. Participants were also asked about the process and usefulness of the ecomap. Interviews were recorded and transcribed and then content analyzed by two members of the research team. Results: All participants were female, mean age 35.5 (SD=5.5) years, caring for husbands whose mean age was 38.2 (SD=7.4) years. The mean length of relationship was 13 years (SD=2.2). All participants found ecomapping to be feasible, acceptable, and useful for identifying sources and types of social support. Network structure and sources of support varied by participant but consistently included religious networks and family. Quality and types of support also varied; each participant identified strengths and weaknesses within their networks. Participants were in favor of using ecomaps to explore their support networks with providers in a clinical setting and desired clinical guidance on developing and interpreting their ecomap. Conclusions: Despite a small sample, this pilot shows evidence for the feasibility and utility of ecomapping. This cost-effective tool could be more widely implemented to identify and harness existing social support and improve neuro-oncology caregiver quality of life.

Understanding the interplay between support agencies and small and medium-sized enterprises in a conflict environment from an institutional theory perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Nisar Khattak ◽  
Noor Muhammad ◽  
David Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Institutional Theory ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Support Providers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Support Mechanism ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis study determines the relationship between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their support providers during three phases: pre-conflict environment, during conflict environment, and the post-conflict (uncertain) environment with the reference to institutional theory in the northwest region of Pakistan where there is ongoing unrest between the authorities and the insurgents.Design/methodology/approachUsing a qualitative approach, a total of 23 semi-structured interviews were conducted, 19 with the owner-managers of small manufacturing firms and 4 from small business support providers in the region.FindingsThe authors theorise the changing role of support agencies as differing institutional gaps, while conflict is destructive for SMEs and support agencies; paradoxically the crisis results in stronger relationships between the support providers and SMEs which was weaker in the pre-conflict environment. Such stronger relationship enhanced the cognitive pillar of institutional theory where entrepreneurship is supported by various groups including government agencies and SMEs to alleviate unemployment in the region which is one of the potential reasons of terrorism in the country.Practical implicationsThe study may have value for policymakers who need to know more about how small businesses and support providers develop a support network in difficult regions and give a comprehensive framework to other conflictual regions who face similar circumstances.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the previous literature in several ways. First, the study reveals the impact of conflict environment on small businesses and support providers where a little research has been undertaken. Second, the study shows the support mechanism in three different intervals pre-conflict, during the conflict and post-conflict and how the Talibanization in the region has a positive impact by strengthening the support structure among small businesses and support providers. Finally, the study contributes to the growing body of literature on entrepreneurship in conflict environments.

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