This state-of-the-art book examines the effect of social relationships on physical health. It surveys and assesses the research that shows not only that supportive relationships protect us from a ...multitude of mental health problems but also that the absence of supportive relationships increases the risk of dying from various diseases.Bert N. Uchino discusses the links between social support and mortality from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and HIV/AIDS. He investigates whether social support is more effective for some individuals and within certain cultures. After evaluating existing conceptual models linking social support to health outcomes, he offers his own broader perspective on the issue. And he suggests the implications for intervention and for future research in this area.
Social Capital and Health Kawachi, Ichiro; Subramanian, S. V; Kim, Daniel
2007, 2008, 2007-11-15, 20080401
eBook
This text discusses social capital, a concept that originated in the social sciences, & its application to the field of public health. The editors take care to define the concept of social capital, ...describe its theoretical origins, & discuss the controversies & debates surrounding the use of the concept in public health research.
Social structures Martin, John Levi; Martin, John Levi
2009., 20090727, 2009, 2009-07-27, 20090101
eBook
Social Structures is a book that examines how structural forms spontaneously arise from social relationships. Offering major insights into the building blocks of social life, it identifies which ...locally emergent structures have the capacity to grow into larger ones and shows how structural tendencies associated with smaller structures shape and constrain patterns of larger structures. The book then investigates the role such structures have played in the emergence of the modern nation-state.
•The present study examined the role of social support seeking through Facebook (SSS through FB).•Daily stress positively predicted adolescents’ SSS through FB.•SSS through FB directly increased ...adolescents’ depressed mood.•SSS through FB indirectly decreased adolescents’ depressed mood.•This harmful impact of SSS exclusively occurs in a social networking site context.
This study examined relationships among daily stress (i.e., school- and family-related stress), social support seeking through Facebook, perceived social support through Facebook, and depressed mood among adolescents (N=910). Structural equation modeling showed that daily stress positively predicted adolescents’ seeking of social support through Facebook. In addition, when social support was sought on Facebook and subsequently perceived, social support seeking through Facebook decreased adolescents’ depressed mood. However, when social support was sought on Facebook, but not perceived, social support seeking through Facebook increased adolescents’ depressed mood. When comparing these relationships with similar relationships in a traditional social support context, results showed that the exacerbating impact of social support seeking on depressed mood exclusively transpires in a social networking site context. The discussion focuses on the understanding and explanation of these findings, and directions for future research.
Abstract Objective Evaluation and validation of the psychometric properties of the eight-item modified Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (mMOS-SS). Study Design and Setting Secondary ...analyses of data from three populations: Boston breast cancer study ( N = 660), Los Angeles breast cancer study ( N = 864), and Medical Outcomes Study ( N = 1,717). The psychometric evaluation of the eight-item mMOS-SS compared performance across populations and with the original 19-item Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SS). Internal reliability, factor structure, construct validity, and discriminant validity were evaluated using Cronbach's alpha, principal factor analysis (PFA), and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Spearman and Pearson correlation, t -test and Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Results mMOS-SS internal reliability was excellent in all three populations. PFA factor loadings were similar across populations; one factor >0.6, well-discriminated two factor (instrumental/emotional social support four items each) >0.5. CFA with a priori two-factor structure yielded consistently adequate model fit (root mean squared errors of approximation 0.054–0.074). mMOS-SS construct and discriminant validity were similar across populations and comparable to MOS-SS. Psychometric properties held when restricted to women aged ≥65 years. Conclusion The psychometric properties of the eight-item mMOS-SS were excellent and similar to those of the original 19-item instrument. Results support the use of briefer mMOS-SS instrument; better suited to multidimensional geriatric assessments and specifically in older women with breast cancer.
•Examined impact of COVID-19 and stay-at-home orders on psychological outcomes.•Stay-at-home orders linked to health anxiety, financial worry, and loneliness.•Impact of COVID-19 on life associated ...with health anxiety and financial worry.•Impact of COVID-19 on life associated with less loneliness and more social support.•Results highlight importance of social connection and need for tele-mental health.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the widespread implementation of extraordinary physical distancing interventions (e.g., stay-at-home orders) to slow the spread of the virus. Although vital, these interventions may be socially and economically disruptive, contributing to adverse psychological outcomes. This study examined relations of both stay-at-home orders and the perceived impact of COVID-19 on daily life to psychological outcomes (depression, health anxiety, financial worry, social support, and loneliness) in a nationwide U.S. community adult sample (N = 500; 47% women, mean age = 40). Participants completed questionnaires assessing psychological outcomes, stay-at-home order status, and COVID-19’s impact on their daily life. Being under a stay-at-home order was associated with greater health anxiety, financial worry, and loneliness. Moreover, the perceived impact of COVID-19 on daily life was positively associated with health anxiety, financial worry, and social support, but negatively associated with loneliness. Findings highlight the importance of social connection to mitigate negative psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
IntroductionSexual satisfaction is relevant to aging well, throughout the lifespan.ObjectivesThis study aims to compare the perspectives of sexual satisfaction and adjustment to aging in three age ...cohorts, across the life span; and to analyze whether sexual satisfaction influences the perceptions of AtA.MethodsThis cross-sectional study comprised participants from three different age cohorts (18-44; 45-64; and 65+ years). Four measures were used to meet the defined objectives: (a) Adjustment to Aging Scale (ATAS); (b) New Sexual Satisfaction Scale (NISS-S); and (c) sociodemographic, health and lifestyle questionnaire. Data were subject to One-way ANOVAs and hierarchical regression analyses.ResultsSocial support emerged as the most relevant dimension in the multifactorial nature of AtA. Generational differences were found in sense of purpose and ambitions F (2, 616) = 14.203, p = .000, social support F (2, 616) = 10.65, p = .000 and body and health F (2, 616) = 8.73, p = .000. Participants aged 65 and older showed significantly lower levels of sense of purpose and ambition, body and health, and social support. Younger participants showed the highest score for body and health. Age-related decreases in sexual satisfaction were also found, as younger participants showed statistically higher levels of sexual satisfaction, followed by middle-aged and older participants. Sexual satisfaction predicts all the dimensions of AtA, exception made for aging in place and stability, where age is the main predictor. Ego-centered sexual satisfaction positively predicted sense of purpose and ambitions (β = .212, p < .05) and social support (β = .311, p < .001); while partner/sexual activity centered sexual satisfaction was a positive predictor of zest and spirituality (β = .255, p < .01), body and health (β = .239, p < .001), and social support (β = .168, p < .05).ConclusionsSexual satisfaction decreases with age and is positively related to all dimensions of AtA, hence gerontological interventions and program policies with older people would strongly benefit of including sexual satisfaction as a relevant variable for aging well.Keywords: sexual well-being; sexual satisfaction; adjustment to aging; generational groups; lifespan.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
In times of crisis, when institutions of power are laid bare, people turn to one another. Pandemic Solidarity collects firsthand experiences from around the world of people creating their own ...narratives of solidarity and mutual aid in the time of the global crisis of Covid-19. The world’s media was quick to weave a narrative of selfish individualism, full of empty supermarket shelves and con-men. However, if you scratch the surface, you find a different story of community and self-sacrifice. Looking at eighteen countries and regions, including India, Rojava, Taiwan, South Africa, Iraq and North America, the personal accounts in the book weave together to create a larger picture, revealing a universality of experience. Moving beyond the present, these stories reveal what an alternative society could look like, and reflect the skills and relationships we already have to create that society, challenging institutions of power that have already shown their fragility.
"When a person faces serious illness, having the support of one's partner can help protect against the full ravages of disease, and even hasten recovery. However, too much support can have grave ...clinical consequences for sufferers and exact a heavy emotional and financial toll on caregivers. Social Support, Health, and Illness is an up-to-date analysis of how social support can either help or hinder recovery for patients."
"A useful resource for clinical practitioners and researchers, Social Support, Health, and Illness addresses the effects of intimate support on a wide variety of medical and psychiatric conditions, including cancer, dementia, and chronic pain. Ranjan Roy uncovers the complexities underlying social support by tracing the concept's historical and theoretical development. Synthesizing insights from the latest research findings, Social Support, Health, and Illness offers a comprehensive look at the modifying and mitigating factors of intimacy on the outcomes of disease."--pub. desc.