scholarly journals Changes in Caregiver Personal Support Networks: Gender Differences and Effects on Health (CUIDAR-SE Study)

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (21) ◽  
pp. 11723
Author(s):  
María Nieves Rodríguez-Madrid ◽  
María del Río-Lozano ◽  
Rosario Fernández-Peña ◽  
María del Mar García-Calvente
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Personal Networks ◽  
Care Process ◽  
Personal Network ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Network Support ◽  
Caregiver Health ◽  
Network Losses ◽  
Over Time

Technological changes have led to important advances in medical diagnoses and treatments that prolong the informal care process. Support from the personal network of informal caregivers is an undervalued resource and the changes that have occurred over time are unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze the changes in personal network support among informal caregivers and to examine the effect of these changes on self-perceived caregiver health, with a focus on differences between men and women and caregivers with high and low levels of burden We also investigated caregiver perceptions and explanations of changes to their support network (losses and additions and no change). Using a mixed-methods approach, data were obtained from 32 caregivers that were intentionally selected in Spain, who were interviewed twice with a one-year interval. In the quantitative phase, personal networks analysis was performed with Egonet software, which obtained data on the composition and functional content in social support from 1600 personal relationships (25 alters for each ego in the two waves). In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted in the two waves with a guide in order to explore the changes in informal support resources over time. The selected men with high levels of burden pointed out a loss of network support with more discouraging reports compared with the low-burden male caregivers. Furthermore, the selected women with low burden levels mentioned losses too; however, their reports were more positive. Women reported improved health, especially those with low burden scores in the first wave and those who did not lose support. Caregivers with a high initial burden and who lost support reported worse health, particularly men and women with a strong sense of duty toward care. Social support from personal networks is important for caregiver health and its effects are influenced by gender roles. Our findings could help by improving the relational and social capital of informal caregivers and adapting them to the new needs of formal home care systems.

Living with advanced colorectal cancer: How prepared are informal caregivers to care for their loved ones?

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (27_suppl) ◽  
pp. 179-179
Author(s):  
Marc Kerba ◽  
Shireen Kassam ◽  
Crystal Beaumont ◽  
Patricia Biondo ◽  
Madalene Earp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Advanced Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Emotional Needs ◽  
Caregiver Health ◽  
Perceived Preparedness ◽  
Emotional Aspects ◽  
Cancer Setting ◽  
One Year ◽  
Over Time

179 Background: The ‘Living with Colorectal Cancer’ prospective cohort study seeks to characterize the experiences of patients diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer and their caregivers, in order to inform care improvements. Here we describe informal caregivers’ perceived preparedness for caregiving. Methods: Eligible patients were identified by oncologists in Alberta, Canada’s two tertiary cancer centers. Consenting patients were given the option to invite a caregiver to participate. Caregivers’ preparedness for caregiving was assessed at enrollment and every 3 months thereafter using the Preparedness for Caregiving survey. This survey assesses levels of preparedness using 5-point Likert scales for 8 caregiving domains (e.g. caring for the patient’s physical and emotional needs, finding and setting up services, stress of caregiving, responding to emergencies), and one open-ended question. Results: In one year of recruitment, 55 caregivers in Calgary and Edmonton were enrolled, of which 65% were female, and 80% lived with the patient. Caregiver preparedness decreased over time from months 1 to 7 of follow-up, across all categories. Caregivers were least prepared for the stress of caregiving and caring for the patient’s emotional needs. They were most prepared for taking care of the patient’s physical needs at enrollment. Open-ended comments on specific preparedness needs were numerous and extensive. A range of topics were reported, the top three being: caregiver health (physical, mental, self-care), emotional aspects (preparing children and family, feeling alone) and end of life (hospice, palliative care, transitioning). Conclusions: Our data suggest that in the advanced cancer setting, caregiver perceived preparedness declines, with increasing stress and emotional distress over time. This may be related to patient illness progression. The open-ended qualitative comments on the Preparedness for Caregiving survey were particularly useful in understanding specific caregiver concerns. Caregiver experience, including sense of preparedness, is often under evaluated and this study suggests more attention is needed. Clinical trial information: NCT03572101.

The embeddedness of social capital in personal networks

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-203
Author(s):  
José Luis Molina ◽  
Alejandro García-Macías ◽  
Miranda J. Lubbers ◽  
Hugo Valenzuela-Garcia
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Occupational Group ◽  
Personal Relationships ◽  
Personal Networks ◽  
Integrated Analysis ◽  
Occupational Prestige ◽  
Personal Network ◽  
Social Environmental ◽  
Overlapping Sets

AbstractName generators (NGs) and position generators (PGs) have been used to measure resources embedded in personal relationships, namely social support and social capital, respectively. Comparisons of these measures adopted NGs that only elicit a small number of alters (max. 5). In this paper we explore whether the measurement of social capital with NGs eliciting larger personal networks (say 15 to 20 alters) gives more comparable results to the PG in terms of occupational prestige. To address this issue, we designed a personal network questionnaire that combined a multiple name generator (MNG) and a PG and enquired about alter characteristics and alter-alter ties for the two sets of nominations simultaneously, allowing their integrated analysis. The questionnaire was implemented in the software EgoNet to collect data from social/environmental entrepreneurs in Spain (N = 30) and Mexico (N = 30. The analysis shows that the two approaches capture mostly non-overlapping sets of personal network members, suggesting that the PG measured in this case available, but not accessed social capital. Remarkably the NG led to a higher average prestige for this occupational group than the PG, but also a lower heterogeneity in prestige. The consequences of using one or another approach and their interpretations are discussed.

scholarly journals Collecting large personal networks in a representative sample of Dutch women

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gert Stulp
Keyword(s):  
Representative Sample ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Missing Values ◽  
Personal Networks ◽  
Network Data ◽  
Personal Network ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Respondent Burden ◽  
Visual Elements ◽  
Significant Burden

In this study we report on our experiences with collecting large personal network data (25 alters) from a representative sample of Dutch women. We made use of GENSI, a recently developed tool for network data collection using interactive visual elements that has been shown to reduce respondent burden. A sample of 758 women between the ages of 18 and 40 were recruited through the LISS-panel; a longitudinal online survey of Dutch men and women. Respondents were asked to name exactly 25 alters, answer sixteen questions about these alters (name interpreter questions), and assess all 300 alter-alter relations. Nearly all (97%) respondents reported on 25 alters. Non-response was minimal: 92% of respondents had no missing values, and an additional 5% had fewer then 10% missing values. Listing 25 alters took 3.5±2.2 (mean±SD) minutes, and reporting on the ties between these alters took 3.6±1.3 minutes. Answering all alter question took longest with a time of 15.2±5.3 minutes. The majority of respondents thought the questions were clear and easy to answer, and most enjoyed filling in the survey. Collecting large personal networks can mean a significant burden to respondents, but through the use of visual elements in the survey, it is clear that it can be done within reasonable time and enjoyment and without much non-response.

scholarly journals Personal Support Networks of Young People with Mild Intellectual Disabilities during the Transition to Adult Life

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (22) ◽  
pp. 11810
Author(s):  
Judit Fullana ◽  
Gemma Díaz-Garolera ◽  
Carolina Puyaltó ◽  
Ana Rey ◽  
Rosario Fernández-Peña
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Young People ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Personal Networks ◽  
Personal Network ◽  
Personal Support ◽  
Comparative Results

Social support networks occupy a priority position requiring attention in the processes of social inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities, during their transition to adult life. The objective of the study was to analyze social support from a relational approach through Personal Network Analysis. A total of 41 young people with mild intellectual disabilities participated in the study, in two groups differentiated according to their educational stage, either compulsory secondary education or post-compulsory training. Descriptive and comparative results are presented based on the variables of structure, composition, and functional content in the social support of their personal networks. The results show that both groups have restricted personal networks, made up of members of the family and the educational environment who constitute the main providers of support. When moving towards adult life, the change in social contacts in other educational, geographical, and relational settings may mean a change in the provision of support received in previous life stages. Developing social and educational actions to support these people in the development and maintenance of social relationships is essential to their access to support resources that will affect their social inclusion.

I personal network in Italia

2012 ◽  
pp. 55-84
Author(s):  
Luigi Tronca
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Psychological Support ◽  
Personal Networks ◽  
Personal Network ◽  
Structural Holes ◽  
Material Resources ◽  
Networks Of Support

This article provides an analysis of the main features of the personal networks capable of providing social support in Italy. The first part of the paper presents a theoretical and methodological discussion about the potentials and limits of the personal network analysis. In the second part, the author presents the method used in carrying out a survey on personal networks of a sample of the population residing in Italy. Through the use of the name generator, name interpreter, and name interrelator questionnaires, this survey enables to reconstruct the size, the contents, and the form of the personal networks of respondents. The contents analyzed are material resources, social credentials, contacts, and psychological support. The forms are studied through the concepts of structural holes and network closure. Moreover the personal networks are divided into the following social circles: relatives, friends, and acquaintances. The research was conducted on a sample of over 1.200 individuals. In the last part of the article the results of this research are presented and discussed. One of the findings of this research is that Italy is divided into two geographical areas, with respect to the presence of the personal networks of support: the inhabitants of Central and Northern Italy have personal networks much more extensive than the personal networks of the inhabitants of Southern Italy and of Italian Islands.

scholarly journals 325 - Relationship quality in dementia: Preliminary longitudinal analyses of the EU-JPND Actifcare cohort study

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (S1) ◽  
pp. 83-83
Author(s):  
Maria J. Marques ◽  
Bob Woods ◽  
Eva Y.L. Tan ◽  
Marjolein de Vugt ◽  
Frans Verhey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Sense Of Coherence ◽  
Unmet Needs ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Longitudinal Analyses ◽  
Family Carers ◽  
Over Time

INTRODUCTIONRelationship quality (RQ) in dyads of persons with dementia and their family carers is important both as a clinical outcome and as a determinant of health and quality of life. In previous work we studied RQ using baseline data of a large-scale European longitudinal study on timely access to and use of community formal services in dementia (EU-JPND Acticare). We concluded that neuropsychiatric symptoms and carer stress contributed to discrepancies in RQ ratings within the dyad, which were less favourable when reported by family carers. This and other associations (e.g. between carer-rated RQ and sense of coherence) were cautiously interpreted, in the context of a cross-sectional analysis.OBJECTIVESTo analyse how carer-reported RQ varies over time and to examine its most important influencing factors.METHODSWe present preliminary longitudinal analyses from the Actifcare cohort study of 451 community-dwelling persons with dementia and their primary carers in eight European countries (12-month follow-up). Comprehensive assessments included the Positive Affect Index (PAI) to assess RQ, persons with dementia’s neuropsychiatric symptoms, persons with dementia and carers’ unmet needs, carers’ anxiety and depression, social support, sense of coherence and stress.RESULTSCarers’ mean PAI scores decreased over the 12 -month period. The person with dementia neuropsychiatric symptoms and unmet needs, and carers’ perceived social support were significant predictors of carers’ RQ change.DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONWe analysed carer-reported RQ variation over time and predictors in a large European sample of persons with dementia and their family carers. As expected, RQ decreased over the oneyear follow-up period as the disease progressed. Its main predictors in this sample (neuropsychiatric symptoms and the person’s unmet needs, together with carers’ social support) can all influence the impact that caregiving has on the carer and on how time and energy-consuming caregiving is. The role of increased clinical symptoms (also affecting communication difficulties), together with carers’ exhaustion, must be equated. Overall, these results may help us to tailor interventions addressing RQ and potentially improve dementia outcomes.

scholarly journals Effect of Perceived Social Support on Mortality Rate Among Older Chinese Americans

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 198-199
Author(s):  
Charu Verma ◽  
Mengting Li ◽  
XinQi Dong
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Mortality Risk ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Chinese Americans ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Time Of Death ◽  
All Cause Mortality ◽  
Older Chinese ◽  
Older Chinese Americans ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Most existing studies have examined the relationship between social support and health in cross-sectional data. However, the changing dynamics of social support over time and its relationship with all-cause mortality have not been well explored. Using data from the Pine Study (N = 3,157), this study examined whether social support was associated with time of death at an 8 years follow-up among older Chinese Americans. Social support from a spouse, family members and friend were collected at the baseline using an HRS social support scale. Perceived social support and time of death were ascertained from the baseline through wave 4. Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess associations of perceived support with the risk of all-cause mortality using time-varying covariate analyses. Covariates included age, sex, education, income, and medical comorbidities. All study participants were followed up for 8 years, during which 492 deaths occurred. In multivariable analyses, the results showed that positive family support [HR 0.91; 95% CI (0.86, 0.98)] and overall social support [HR 0.95; 95% CI (0.92,0.98)] were significantly associated with a lower risk of 8-year mortality. Results demonstrate robust association in which perceived positive family and overall social support over time had a protective effect on all-cause mortality risk in older Chinese Americans. Interventions could focus on older adults with low social support and protect their health and well-being. Future studies could further explore why social support from family is different from social support from other sources regarding mortality risk in older Chinese Americans.

scholarly journals The Double Standard of Aging for Men and Women: Evidence From Across Europe, 2006–2018

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 556-557
Author(s):  
Richard Settersten ◽  
Jack Day ◽  
Gunhild Hagestad
Keyword(s):  
Multilevel Modeling ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Double Standard ◽  
European Social Survey ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Social Survey ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Variation Explained ◽  
Cultural Constructions ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Is there a “double standard” (i.e., a harsher judgment) in the perceived ages at which women and men reach old age, and have these judgments changed over time? We use European Social Survey data from 23 countries in 2006 and newly released data from 16 of those countries in 2018. In both 2006 and 2018, men typically assign women substantially earlier ages than women themselves do. In some places, however, men also give themselves lower ages than women give them. With respect to when women become old, the differential views of men and women are persistent. So is the fact that women differentiate less between the sexes¬–though men differentiate less in 2018 relative to 2006. We use multilevel modeling to examine variation explained by both individual characteristics and country indicators of demographic and policy contexts. Findings underscore the significance of the double standard in cultural constructions of aging.

Pushed Together or Pulled Apart? Economic Stressors and Romantic Relationship Quality

2020 ◽  
pp. 073112142097844
Author(s):  
Amy Lucas ◽  
Jessica Halliday Hardie ◽  
Sejung Sage Yim
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Material Hardship ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Process Perspective ◽  
Romantic Relationship Quality ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Economic Stressors

Previous research indicates that romantic partners’ relationship quality is associated with poverty and material hardship. Few studies have used longitudinal data to incorporate changing economic circumstances over time, included a range of economic factors, or investigated the role of social support in this association, however. Using five waves of data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, we extend prior work by evaluating the association between multiple economic stressors and romantic relationship quality over time, and whether social support explains or alters this association. Changes in economic stressors are associated with changes in romantic relationship quality over time, particularly nonstandard work and material hardship. Social support neither explains nor moderates this association in most cases. This study confirms the stress process perspective, showing how economic and work-related stress can proliferate into family life, but does not support the contention that social support buffers families against stress proliferation.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document