The subjective perception of social support plays a crucial role in human well-being. However, its structural neural substrates remain unknown. We hypothesized that the amygdala, specifically its ...laterobasal and superficial subregions, which have been suggested to serve social functions, could be associated with the level of perceived social support. To test this hypothesis, we assessed perceived social support using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. In addition, we measured the volume and shape of the amygdala using structural magnetic resonance imaging in 49 healthy participants. Global amygdala volume in the left hemisphere was positively associated with the perceived social support score after adjusting for total cerebral volume, sex, age, intelligence, and five-factor personality domains. The local shape of the laterobasal and superficial subregions of the left amygdala showed the same association with perceived social support. These data suggest that the social subregions of the left amygdala are associated with the implementation of perceived social support.
•We assessed perceived social support.•We also measured the volume and shape of the amygdala using structural MRI.•Left amygdala volume was positively associated with perceived social support.•The association was identified at the laterobasal and superficial subregions.
Background
The subjective perception and assessment of support originating from family, friends, and significant others are reflected in perceived social support, which refers to the perceived ...availability and adequacy of social connections. The purpose of this study was to investigate perceived levels of social support and to ascertain the link between perceived social support and the socio-demographic factors that influence it.
Materials and Methods
This cross-sectional study used a sample of 476 elderly people in Siwan district, Bihar, India, who were 60 years of age or older. A structured questionnaire with a multistage sampling procedure was used to collect the data during the period 2021–2022. The 12-item multidimensional scale of perceived social support was used to measure the information regarding perceived social support. The association was examined using a bivariate statistical technique, and the impact of the explanatory variables on the outcome variable was examined using a multivariate statistical technique.
Results
Families provided the most social support for the respondents, while significant others provided the least. The findings demonstrated a strong statistically significant association between age, types of house, social caste, and wealth status and perceived social support. Multiple linear regression results showed that that ages 70–79 years (
β
= − 1.74, 95% CI (− 3.05, − 0.44),
p
≤ 0.01), other backword class (
β
= 2.24, 95% CI (0.58, 3.90),
p
≤ 0.01), general category (
β
= 2.08, 95% CI (0.08, 4.07),
p
≤ 0.05), and medium wealth status (
β
= 3.25, 95% CI (1.85, 4.65),
p
≤ 0.001), and rich wealth status (
β
= 2.05, 95% CI (0.30, 3.80),
p
≤ 0.05) had a statistically significant effect on perceived social support among elderly.
Conclusion
The study’s overall conclusion was that older people’s well-being can be improved by providing them more social support, especially from family members other than themselves. As interpersonal risk rises, social support should be bolstered to maximize their happiness. The State must update the policies and procedures in place to fullfil the complex physical, psychological, and emotional needs of the aging population.
Diabetes mellitus is a major public health issue that considerably impacts mortality, morbidity, and healthcare costs worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has created havoc in diabetes management, too, ...like other spectrums of life. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was adopted to determine the effect of Social Support, Self-Care Behaviour and Self-Efficacy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2D) during this COVID-19 pandemic. Two hundred T2D patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria were chosen using a convenient sampling procedure. The tool consists of four sections, including socio-demographic characteristics, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), revised Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) Scale and modified Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale (DMS). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the obtained data. The mean and SD of diabetic management self-efficacy is 5.74 (1.95) and 4.37 (1.4), respectively, for patients with HbA1c < 6.5% and HbA1c ≥ 6.5%. The self-care activities of the patients who had good glycemic control were 4.31 (2.06) compared to 3.50 (1.73) who did not. The social support received by the patients was 6.13 (2.13) vs. 5.31 (1.67) among patients with glycemic control vs. no control. The results show that social support (p = 0.04), self-efficacy (p =0.01) and self-care activities (p = 0.001) were significantly related to the level of glycemic control of the T2D patients. A significant relationship was also identified between gender (p = 0.036), age (p = 0.001) and education status (p = 0.000) with HbA1c control of the participants. This study demonstrates a significant relationship between social support, self-care behaviours, self-efficacy and glycemic management in T2D patients. During this COVID-19 pandemic, interventions to enhance the self-care activities like exercise and social support to boost their self-efficacy; for better diabetes management, reducing diabetes complications or prolonging their onset are the need of the hour.
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