Understanding the Links Between Social Support and Physical Health: A Life-Span Perspective With Emphasis on the Separability of Perceived and Received Support

Development and Validation of a Measure for Seeking Health Information in the Diabetes Online Community: Mixed Methods Study

BACKGROUND

Individuals with chronic diseases often search for health information online. The Diabetes Online Community (DOC) is an active community with members who exchange health information; however, few studies have examined health information brokering in the DOC.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to develop and validate the Attitudes Toward Seeking Health Information Online (ATSHIO) scale in a sample of adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

METHODS

People with T1D were recruited through the DOC, specifically Facebook and Twitter. They were provided with a Qualtrics link to complete the survey. This was a mixed methods study that used thematic analysis along with existing theory and formative research to design the quantitative ATSHIO scale.

RESULTS

A total of 166 people with T1D participated in this study. Confirmatory factor analyses determined a 2-factor scale (Trusting and Evaluating Online Health Information in the DOC and Engaging With Online Health Information in the DOC) with good convergent validity and discriminant validity. Correlations were found between social support, online health information-seeking, diabetes distress, and disease management.

CONCLUSIONS

The ATSHIO scale can be used to investigate how people with diabetes are using the internet for obtaining health information, which is especially relevant in the age of telehealth and Health 2.0.

Mexican-origin women's individual and collective strategies to access and share health-promoting resources in the context of exclusionary immigration and immigrant policies

BACKGROUND

A growing literature has documented the social, economic, and health impacts of exclusionary immigration and immigrant policies in the early 21st century for Latiné communities in the US, pointing to immigration and immigrant policies as forms of structural racism that affect individual, family, and community health and well-being. Furthermore, the past decade has seen an increase in bi-partisan exclusionary immigration and immigrant policies. Immigration enforcement has been a major topic during the 2024 Presidential election cycle, portending an augmentation of exclusionary policies towards immigrants. Within this context, scholars have called for research that highlights the ways in which Latiné communities navigate exclusionary immigration and immigrant policies, and implications for health. This study examines ways in which Mexican-origin women in a midwestern northern border community navigate restrictive immigration and immigrant policies to access health-promoting resources and care for their well-being.

METHODS

We conducted a grounded theory analysis drawing on interviews with 48 Mexican-origin women in Detroit, Michigan, who identified as being in the first, 1.5, or second immigrant generation. Interviews were conducted in English or Spanish, depending on participants' preferences, and were conducted at community-based organizations or other locations convenient to participants in 2013-2014.

RESULTS

Women reported encountering an interconnected web of institutional processes that used racializing markers to infer legal status and eligibility to access health-promoting resources. Our findings highlight women's use of both individual and collective action to navigate exclusionary policies and processes, working to: (1) maintain access to health-promoting resources; (2) limit labeling and stigmatization; and (3) mitigate adverse impacts of immigrant policing on health and well-being. The strategies women engaged were shaped by both the immigration processes and structures they confronted, and the resources to which they had access to within their social network.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest a complex interplay of immigration-related policies and processes, social networks, and health-relevant resources. They highlight the importance of inclusive policies to promote health for immigrant communities. These findings illuminate women's agency in the context of structural violence facing immigrant women and are particularly salient in the face of anti-immigrant rhetoric and exclusionary immigration and immigrant policies.

Factors contributing to elite athletes' mental health in the junior-to-senior transition: A mixed methods study

The goals of this study were to examine factors that may affect the mental health of elite athletes during their junior-to-senior transition and to explore the types and frequency of facilitators and challenges athletes encounter during this transition. Using a cross-sectional, embedded QUAN(qual) mixed methods study design, we surveyed two samples for the study goals. All participants completed demographic data (e.g., gender, age, sports). Sample one (N = 394, Mage = 18.46 years, SD = 2.2) consisted of current transitioning athletes which completed questionnaires on stress, anxiety, depression, well-being, self-compassion, and social support. Mediation and moderation analyses revealed that stress leads to resource depletion, and that self-compassion can be an important resource for young athletes to draw upon to maintain their mental health. Regarding social support results were less conclusive. Sample two (N = 371, Mage = 27.70 years, SD = 8.3) consisted of athletes that have passed the transition. They responded to open questions about helpful strategies and challenges faced during their junior-to-senior transition, which were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results showed that during the junior-to-senior transition, external resources were more frequently mentioned than internal resources when it came to facilitators. Furthermore, external challenges were perceived as hindering more frequently than internal challenges. These findings can guide practitioners by providing potential starting points for improving the mental health of transitioning elite athletes, as well as information on helpful strategies and barriers during the transition.

A tale of two marital stressors: Comparing proinflammatory responses to partner distress and marital conflict

Marital quality shares ties to inflammatory conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. For decades, research has focused on marital conflict as a primary mechanism given its potential to trigger inflammatory responses. However, longitudinal evidence suggests that marital conflict declines over time, and little attention has been paid to the inflammatory aftermath of other types of marital exchanges. A spouse's emotional distress is an important but overlooked marital context, as partners are exposed to each other's upsetting emotions throughout adulthood. To directly compare reactivity in proinflammatory gene expression to these two marital stressors and to examine differences by age and marital satisfaction, 203 community adults ages 25-90 (N = 102 couples) provided blood samples and rated their negative mood before and after they 1) watched their partner relive an upsetting personal memory and, in a separate visit 1-2 weeks later, 2) discussed a conflictual topic in their relationship. Controlling for age, sex, race/ethnicity, BMI, alcohol use, smoking, and comorbidities, increases in proinflammatory gene expression were significantly larger after the partner's upsetting disclosure than after marital conflict (B = 0.073, SE = 0.031, p = .018). This pattern paralleled emotional reactivity to the tasks, wherein negative mood rose more in response to the partner's disclosure than to marital conflict (B = 4.305, SE = 1.468, p = .004). In sum, proinflammatory and mood reactivity to spousal distress exceeded reactivity to marital conflict, a well-established marital stressor. Findings reveal spousal distress as a novel mechanism that may link marriage to inflammation-related diseases, and even pose risks for both happy and unhappy couples across adulthood.

The effect of a single session of psychological first aid in the emergency department on PTSD and depressive symptoms three months post-intervention: results of a randomised controlled trial

Background: Despite its popularity, evidence of the effectiveness of Psychological First Aid (PFA) is scarce.Objective: To assess whether PFA, compared to psychoeducation (PsyEd), an attention placebo control, reduces PTSD and depressive symptoms three months post-intervention.Methods: In two emergency departments, 166 recent-trauma adult survivors were randomised to a single session of PFA (n = 78) (active listening, breathing retraining, categorisation of needs, assisted referral to social networks, and PsyEd) or stand-alone PsyEd (n = 88). PTSD and depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline (T0), one (T1), and three months post-intervention (T2) with the PTSD Checklist (PCL-C at T0 and PCL-S at T1/T2) and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Self-reported side effects, post-trauma increased alcohol/substance consumption and interpersonal conflicts, and use of psychotropics, psychotherapy, sick leave, and complementary/alternative medicine were also explored.Results: 86 participants (51.81% of those randomised) dropped out at T2. A significant proportion of participants in the PsyEd group also received PFA components (i.e. contamination). From T0 to T2, we did not find a significant advantage of PFA in reducing PTSD (p = .148) or depressive symptoms (p = .201). However, we found a significant dose-response effect between the number of delivered components, session duration, and PTSD symptom reduction. No significant difference in self-reported adverse effects was found. At T2, a smaller proportion of participants assigned to PFA reported increased consumption of alcohol/substances (OR = 0.09, p = .003), interpersonal conflicts (OR = 0.27, p = .014), and having used psychotropics (OR = 0.23, p = .013) or sick leave (OR = 0.11, p = .047).Conclusions: Three months post-intervention, we did not find evidence that PFA outperforms PsyEd in reducing PTSD or depressive symptoms. Contamination may have affected our results. PFA, nonetheless, appears to be promising in modifying some post-trauma behaviours. Further research is needed.

Refugee health and physiological profiles in transitional settlements in Serbia and Kenya: Comparative evidence for effects of gender and social support

When armed conflict compels people to flee from their homelands, they embark on protracted journeys during which they experience wide ranging physical, social, and psychological challenges. Few studies have focused on refugee psychosocial and physiological profiles during the transitional phase of forced migration that often involves temporary sheltering. Transient refugees' experiences can vary substantially based on local socio-ecological conditions in temporary settlements, including the length of stay, living conditions, as well as the availability and accessibility of physical and social resources. In this study, we compared physiological and psychosocial data from refugees (N=365; 406 observations) in Serbia and Kenya, respectively, with divergent temporal (length of stay) and socio-ecological conditions. In Serbia, refugees resided in asylum centers (mean stay: 0.9 y); in Kenya they were living in Kakuma Refugee Camp (mean stay: 8.8 y), one of the world's largest camps at the time. We had limited ability to directly compare psychosocial measures and used meta-analytic techniques to evaluate predictors of refugee mental and physical health at the two sites, including based on perceived social support. Refugees in Serbia had higher fingernail cortisol (p < 0.001) and were less likely to have elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (p < 0.01) than refugees in Kakuma. We found common gender differences in both settings; women had lower cortisol but higher EBV antibody titers and higher likelihood of having elevated CRP compared to men (all p < 0.01). Woman also reported poorer mental and physical health (p < 0.001). These physiological and health differences may reflect variation between men and women in their psychosocial and physical experiences of factors such as stress, violence, and trauma during their journeys and as transitional refugees. Finally, we also found that refugees with lower levels of perceived social support reported poorer physical and mental health (p < 0.001). Although our results are cross-sectional, they suggest that this intermittent phase of the refugee experience is a key window for helping enhance refugee well-being through an emphasis on interpersonal and community support systems.

Lifelong traumatic events, social support, and health-related quality of life among older adults

BACKGROUND

The present study aimed to investigate the relation between lifelong exposure to traumatic life events, social support, and health-related quality of life (QOL) in a sample of older people.

METHOD

A sample of 172 participants (mean age = 68.81, SD = 7.15; 68.6% female and 31.4% male) was involved in this study. The participants completed scales measuring lifelong exposure to traumatic events, social support, and health-related QOL.

RESULTS

The results showed that lifelong exposure to traumatic events was negatively related to physical and mental health-related QOL. Moreover, social support moderated the relation between traumatic life events exposure and mental health-related QOL.

DISCUSSION

Geriatric services could identify and implement adequate measures to provide social support and to improve different dimensions of QOL among older adults.

Long-Term Engagement of Patients With Advanced Cancer: Results From the EPAC Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

The long-term effect of interventions that assist patients with establishing their end-of-life care preferences among patients with cancer remain relatively unknown.

Objective

To evaluate the association of a long-term intervention of a lay health worker-led advance care planning intervention among patients with advanced stages of cancer with overall survival and end-of-life health care use and costs.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This follow-up study of the EPAC randomized clinical trial conducted between August 2013 and February 2015 used data from 9.4 years after the first patient was enrolled with a data cut-off date of February 1, 2023. Overall, 213 participants with stage 3 or 4 or recurrent cancer in the US Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System were included.

Interventions

A 6-month lay health worker-led education and support intervention to assist patients with establishing their end-of-life preferences vs usual care.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The outcomes of interest were overall survival, risk of death, restricted mean survival time, and palliative care, hospice, and acute care use in the final 30 days before death for participants who died.

Results

Among 213 participants randomized and included in the intention-to-treat analysis, the mean (SD) age was 69.3 (9.1) years; 211 (99.1%) were male, 2 (0.90%) were female. There were no demographic or clinical characteristic imbalances at enrollment. As of February 1, 2023, 188 had died. The intervention group had a 25% reduction in risk of death (hazard ratio, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.56-0.98); more palliative care (44 [50.0%] vs 35 [35.0%]) and hospice use (64 [72.7%] vs 53 [53.0%]); and lower emergency department use (20 [22.7%] vs 47 [47.0%]), hospitalizations (17 [19.3%] vs 46 [46.0%]), and median (IQR) total health care costs (median [IQR], $1637 [$383-$9026] vs $18 520 [$4790-$50 729]) than control group participants.

Conclusions and Relevance

The effects of the lay health worker-led intervention remain durable, with nearly complete follow-up, supporting integration into routine cancer care.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02966509.

Aging well in an aging society: physical health in older lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults

Introduction

Older sexual minority people meet a double stigma in our society related to their sexual identity and chronological age. The present study explores how experiences of discrimination and prejudice, coming out, and personal resiliency influence physical health of older lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults.

Methods

Respondents were recruited through online advertisements and an online-based survey. The sample included 82 Italian cisgender LGB adults over 65 years: young older adults (65-70 years; 78%) and old-old adults (over 71 years; 22%). Regarding sexual orientation, the sample was composed of sexual minority women (n = 30; 37%) and sexual minority men (n = 52; 63%).

Results

ANOVAs' findings showed that sexual minority women described lower levels of physical health compared to sexual minority men. At the same time, old-old adults reported higher experiences of discrimination and prejudice compared to young older adults. Moreover, findings from hierarchical multiple regression analysis described that coming out, higher levels of personal resiliency, and fewer experiences of discrimination were predictors of physical health, regardless of age and sexual minority categories.

Conclusion

These findings seem to align with previous studies that underline the relevance of investigating aging well in sexual minority people. Knowledge and awareness of LGBTQ+ issues are necessary for recognizing the unique needs and resources of older LGB people for promoting a healthy aging process.

App-based interventions to improve cancer outcomes rely on informational support from professionals: a systematic review

The importance of social support for cancer patients is well-established, and mobile applications hold promise for implementation. This systematic review examines app-based interventions with social support components for cancer patients, investigating the use of different support functions from different sources and the impact on cancer-related symptoms and psychological outcomes. A systematic search across five databases (EMBASE, Scopus, PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science) yielded 449 records, of which 17 studies (12 controlled designs) were included. Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed study quality, revealing a high risk of bias across studies. Social support was implemented through different app functions, including contact/chat functions (n = 9), automatic alerts based on app input (n = 6) and discussion forums (n = 5). Social support predominantly focused on informational support (n = 17), mostly from healthcare professionals. Emotional support was less common (n = 7). Results indicated some promising intervention effects for pain, fatigue, nausea/vomiting, insomnia, constipation and overall symptom distress, but heterogeneous effects for health-related quality of life. Overall, results were mixed, but indicate that mobile apps incorporating social support may hold promise for cancer patients. However, future studies should focus on measuring and reporting social support as an intervention mechanism to systematically investigate its specific impact and improve effectiveness.HighlightsApps for cancer patients predominantly include informational social supportEmotional social support is substantially less frequently includedApps focus on formal support sources like healthcare professionalsFirst results are somewhat promising for improving cancer-related symptoms.

Birds of a feather age together: telomere dynamics and social behavior predict life span in female Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

Social support is vital for mental and physical health and is linked to lower rates of disease and early mortality. Conversely, anti-social behavior can increase mortality risks, both for the initiator and target of the behavior. Chronic stress, which also can increase mortality, may serve as an important link between social behavior and healthy lifespan. There is a growing body of literature in both humans, and model organisms, that chronic social stress can result in more rapid telomere shortening, a measure of biological aging. Here we examine the role of anti-social behavior and social support on physiological markers of stress and aging in the social Japanese quail, Coturnix Japonica. Birds were maintained in groups for their entire lifespan, and longitudinal measures of antisocial behavior (aggressive agonistic behavior), social support (affiliative behavior), baseline corticosterone, change in telomere length, and lifespan were measured. We found quail in affiliative relationships both committed less and were the targets of less aggression compared to birds who were not in these relationships. In addition, birds displaying affiliative behavior had longer telomeres, and longer lifespans. Our work suggests a novel pathway by which social support may buffer against damage at the cellular level resulting in telomere protection and subsequent longer lifespans.

The role of perceived social support from family, friends and significant others in the association between childhood maltreatment on sleep quality in adolescents: Evidence from a weekly diary study

BACKGROUND

Childhood maltreatment is a common problem that can have lasting effects on the physical and mental health of adolescents who have experienced it, including sleep quality.

OBJECTIVE

This study will investigate the relationship between childhood maltreatment and sleep quality in adolescents using a weekly diary method.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

In this study, students from a middle school in central China were recruited as research subjects, and a total of 11 classes with 470 students were investigated.

METHODS

In order to fill in the gaps of previous studies, a weekly diary method was used to collect data. Subjects were required to complete three scales once a week for seven consecutive weeks, including the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scale (PSQI).

RESULTS

Findings suggest that childhood maltreatment has a negative impact on adolescent's sleep quality at the weekly level (γ01c = -0.07, t = -5.71, p < .001) . The negative effect of childhood maltreatment on sleep quality was significantly reduced with the addition of perceived social support (γ01c' = -0.03, t = -2.83, p < .01). Notably, support from friends (γ01a*γ02b = -0.01) and significant others (γ01a*γ02b = -0.02) also played an important mediating role in child maltreatment and adolescent sleep quality, but family support remained the most important support in adolescents (γ01a*γ02b = -0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study has confirmed the negative correlation between childhood maltreatment and sleep quality in adolescents. Furthermore, it has clarified the mechanism of perceived social support and the separate mediating roles of perceived family support, perceived friend support, and perceived significant other support.

Perceptions of a good life: Associations with culture, age, wellbeing, and health

What does a good life look like? The present research investigated individual differences in people's perceptions of the factors that are most important for living a good life using two waves of data in probability samples from the U.S. (MIDUS; N = 4,041) and Japan (MIDJA; N = 381). We examined country- and age-related similarities and differences in perceptions of a good life and associations of perceptions of a good life with experiences of wellbeing and physical health. Some factors were considered important for living a good life in both countries and across age (e.g., positive relationships with family), whereas other factors varied between countries (e.g., U.S. participants were more likely to perceive faith as important) and by age (e.g., younger adults were more likely to perceive having a good job as important). Further, perceptions of a good life were related to experiences of wellbeing and physical health concurrently and prospectively. This research informs our understanding of how people differ from one another in their perceptions of a good life, and how these differences may matter for individuals' experiences of a good life.

Sense of neighborhood belonging and health: geographic, racial, and socioeconomic variation in Wisconsin

Background

Individuals' sense of belonging (SoB) to their neighborhood is an understudied psychosocial factor that may influence the association between neighborhood characteristics, health, and disparities across socio-demographic groups.

Methods

Using 2014-2016 data from the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin (SHOW, N = 1,706), we conduct a detailed analysis of SoB and health in an American context. We construct OLS and logistic regressions estimating belonging's association with general, physical, and mental health. We explore geographic, racial, and socioeconomic variation to understand both the differential distribution of SoB and its heterogeneous relationship with health.

Results

A higher SoB is positively associated with better physical, mental, and general health. White participants report higher SoB than Black participants, yet the association between SoB and mental health is strongest among participants of color and urban residents.

Conclusion

Sense of belonging to neighborhood significantly predicts many facets of health, with place and individual characteristics appearing to moderate this relationship. Racial, geographic, and socioeconomic disparities in belonging-health associations raise important questions about who benefits from the social, economic, and physical aspects of local communities.

Social support predicted subsequent subjective well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective study

BACKGROUND

Subjective well-being (SWB) is associated with social support in cross-sectional studies. However, it remains unclear whether and how social support predicts SWB longitudinally, especially during the COVID-19 contingency.

METHODS

By adopting a prospective design, the current work addressed this research question in a sample of 594 participants from the U.K. The data were collected via the online platform, Prolific, at two time points (June, 2020 and August, 2021) with a 14-month interval. Descriptive analysis and a moderated mediation model were conducted to test the proposed hypotheses.

RESULTS

Baseline social support was a significant predictor of subjective well-being (SWB) 14 months later, even after controlling for baseline SWB and other covariates such as personality traits. Additionally, affect balance (i.e., the affective component of SWB) fully mediated the link between baseline social support and subsequent life satisfaction (i.e., the cognitive component of SWB). Moreover, household income moderated this relationship, indicating a stronger mediation for individuals with lower monthly household income.

CONCLUSION

The present work sheds light on the underlying mechanism and boundary condition of the association between social support and different components of SWB during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Social Support From Family and Friends, Educational Attainment, and Cognitive Function

This study assessed the extent to which associations between perceived and received social support from family and friends and changes in older adults' cognitive function were moderated by educational attainment. Sibling pairs in the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS) (N = 4,297) completed a survey about social support in 2011 and a cognitive battery in 2011 and 2020. Participants' mean age in 2020 was 80.2 years old. Multilevel linear regressions indicated that perceived, but not received, support from friends was associated with better cognitive function 9 years later. Perceived family support was cognitively advantageous for older adults at most levels of educational attainment. However, among postgraduates, perceived family support was unrelated to cognitive function. That the association between perceived support and cognitive function differs based on educational attainment gives interventionists additional information needed to identify groups of older adults most susceptible to cognitive impairment.

Enduring Bonds: Duration and Contact in Close Relationships in Late Life

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Older adults maintain ties to long-duration social partners, some with whom have regular contact and some with whom have little contact. We asked whether these ties with little contact still offer a sense of connection and security, and buffer the effects of interpersonal stress in daily life. Helping older adults foster these ties may improve their mental health.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Participants (n = 313) aged 65+ completed a baseline interview reporting duration and contact frequency of their closest ties. Then, participants completed ecological momentary assessments every 3 hr for 5-6 days, reporting their social encounters and mood.

RESULTS

We classified ties according to duration (10+ years = long vs shorter duration) and frequency of contact (at least once a month = active vs dormant). Throughout the day, participants were more likely to have stressful encounters with long-duration active ties. Encounters with active ties were associated with more positive mood (regardless of duration) and encounters with long-duration dormant ties with more negative mood. Having more active ties buffered effects of interpersonal stress on mood, but more long-duration dormant ties exacerbated these effects.

DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS

Supporting social integration theory, ties with frequent contact were associated with positive mood. Surprisingly, long-duration ties with infrequent contact exacerbated effects of interpersonal stress on mood. Older adults who lack contact with long-duration social partners may be more sensitive to interpersonal stress. Future interventions might focus on phone or electronic media to increase contact with long-duration social partners.

Role of Perceived Social Support in Adherence to Antihypertensives and Controlled Hypertension: Findings of a Community Survey from Urban Nepal

Introduction

Social support is considered vital for effective management of chronic conditions, but its role in improving adherence to antihypertensive medication and control of hypertension in urban Nepal is unknown. We examined the role of social support in adherence to antihypertensives and controlled blood pressure to inform future interventions for hypertension management.

Methods

We analyzed cross-sectional data collected at baseline of a cluster randomized trial of hypertension patients (n=1252) in the community between May and November 2022. Multidimensional scale of perceived social support was used to measure social support, adherence to antihypertensives was measured using the Morisky medication adherence scale -8, and individuals with systolic- and diastolic- blood pressure less than 140 and 90 mmHg respectively were considered to have controlled hypertension. Modified Poisson regression models were used to estimate the prevalence ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals.

Results

We found that 914 (73%) individuals received moderate to high social support. Participants receiving high social support had a numerically lower proportion of controlled hypertension (51%) however not statistically significant. The proportion of good adherence to antihypertensives did not differ between the social support categories. There was no association in overall, family, friends, and significant other sub-scales of social support with controlled hypertension and adherence to antihypertensives.

Discussion

Further studies to understand the quality and mechanisms through which social support contributes to blood pressure control are needed for the health system to include social support in designing and implementing community-based interventions for hypertension management.

The effect of autistic traits on prosocial behavior: The chain mediating role of received social support and perceived social support

ABSTRACT

There is growing evidence that the defining characteristics of autism spectrum disorder are distributed across the general population; therefore, understanding the correlates of prosocial behavior in individuals with high levels of autistic traits could shed light on autism spectrum disorder and prosocial behavior. In this study, the mechanism underlying the influence of individuals’ autistic traits on their prosocial behavior was explored by conducting a questionnaire survey of 414 Chinese college students. The results showed that autistic traits can influence individuals’ prosocial behavior not only through the separate effects of received social support and perceived social support but also through the chain mediating effects of received social support and perceived social support; however, the direct effect of autistic traits on individuals’ prosocial behavior is not significant. This study is conducive to understanding the internal mechanism underlying the relationship between autistic traits and prosocial behavior. Future work is required to further investigate the clinical autism spectrum disorder samples and cross-cultural applicability of the model found in this study.

Familism, family cohesion, and health-related quality of life in Hispanic prostate cancer survivors

BACKGROUND

Familism, the cultural value that emphasizes feelings of loyalty and dedication to one's family, has been related to both positive and negative outcomes in Hispanic cancer survivors. One potential source of observed inconsistencies may be limited attention to the family environment, as familism may be protective in a cohesive family whereas it can exacerbate distress in a conflictive family.

PURPOSE

The current study explored the associations of familism with general and disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Hispanic men who completed prostate cancer (PC) treatment, and whether family cohesion may help explain these relationships.

METHODS

Hispanic men treated for localized PC (e.g., radiation, surgery) were enrolled in a randomized controlled stress management trial and assessed prior to randomization. Familism (familial obligation) was assessed using Sabogal's Familism Scale and family cohesion was measured using the Family Environment Scale (ranging from high to low). The sexual, urinary incontinence, and urinary obstructive/irritative domains of the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite - Short Form measured disease-specific HRQoL. The physical, emotional, and functional well-being subscales of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General captured general HRQoL. Hierarchical linear regression and the SPSS PROCESS macro were used to conduct moderation analyses, while controlling for relevant covariates.

RESULTS

Participants were 202 older men on average 65.7 years of age (SD = 8.0) who had been diagnosed with PC an average of 22 months prior to enrollment. Familism was not directly associated with general and disease-specific HRQoL. Moderation analyses revealed that greater familism was related to poorer urinary functioning in the incontinence (p = .03) and irritative/obstructive domains (p = .01), and lower emotional well-being (p = .02), particularly when family cohesion was low.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings underscore the importance of considering contextual factors, such as family cohesion, in understanding the influence of familism on general and disease-specific HRQoL among Hispanic PC patients. The combined influence of familism and family cohesion predicts clinically meaningful differences in urinary functioning and emotional well-being during the posttreatment phase. Culturally sensitive psychosocial interventions to boost family cohesion and leverage the positive impact of familistic attitudes are needed to enhance HRQoL outcomes in this population.

Social support and therapeutic relationships intertwine to influence exercise behavior in people with sport-related knee injuries

OBJECTIVE

Explore how social support influences exercise therapy participation and adherence before and after enrolling in an education and exercise therapy intervention (Stop OsteoARthritis, SOAR).

METHODS

Study design: Interpretative description. We sampled participants with sport-related knee injuries from the SOAR randomized controlled trial. SOAR is a virtual, physiotherapist-guided, education and exercise therapy-based knee health program that targets individuals at risk of early osteoarthritis. One-on-one semi-structured interviews were completed, and an inductive approach was guided by Braun & Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Fifteen participants (67% female, median age 26 [19-35] years) were interviewed. Three themes were generated that encapsulated participants' social support experiences that fostered exercise participation: 1) Treat me as a whole person represented the value of social support that went beyond participants' physical needs, 2) Work with me highlighted the working partnership between the clinician and the participant, and 3) Journey with me indicated a need for on-going support is necessary for the long-term management of participants' knee health. A theme of the therapeutic relationship was evident across the findings.

CONCLUSIONS

Insight was gained into how and why perceived support may be linked to exercise behavior, with the therapeutic relationship being potentially linked to perceived support. Social support strategies embedded within an education and exercise therapy program may boost exercise adherence after sport-related knee injuries.

Perceived Relational Support Is Associated With Everyday Positive, But Not Negative, Affectivity in a U.S. Sample

Research suggests that perceived social support bolsters emotional well-being. We tested whether perceived support from friends, family, and spouses/partners was associated with reduced negative and greater positive affectivity (i.e., everyday affective baseline), and whether perceived strain in these relationships had opposite effects, accounting for age and relevant covariates. Using data from the third waves of the Midlife in the United States survey and National Study of Daily Experience (n = 1,124), we found negative affectivity was not tied to relational support nor strain, but instead was associated positively with neuroticism and negatively with conscientiousness. In contrast, positive affectivity was related positively to support from friends and family, conscientiousness, and extroversion, and negatively to strain among partners and neuroticism. Exploratory analyses within second-wave Midlife in Japan data (n = 657) suggest patterns for future cross-cultural study. Some relationship dynamics may vary, but perceived support might enhance emotional well-being by bolstering positive, rather than mitigating negative, emotionality.

Correlated Change Between Personality Traits and Perceived Social Support in Old Age

This study investigated correlated change between the Big Five personality traits and perceived social support in old age. Two data waves with an 8-year span from the Interdisciplinary Longitudinal Study on Adult Development (ILSE) were utilized. The longitudinal sample for this study consisted of 491 older adults (aged 64-68 years at T1). Four different aspects of perceived availability of social support were assessed (emotional support, practical support, social integration, and social strain). The Big Five personality traits were assessed with the Neuroticism-Extraversion-Openness Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). Results show significant latent concurrent correlations and correlated changes between personality traits and social support. Notably, correlated change with social support types differed depending on the Big Five traits being evaluated, with changes in extraversion, neuroticism, and agreeableness being the traits most associated with changes in social support types, and openness being least associated. Results are discussed through a life span development lens in light of past research.

Staying connected: An umbrella review of meta-analyses on the push-and-pull of social connection in depression

BACKGROUND

Depression affects approximately 4 % of the global population and has huge social and economic implications. Social factors, including support, engagement, and stigma, play a crucial role in the development and severity of depression.

METHODS

We provide a synthesis of the consistency and magnitude of the association between measures of social connection and depression. We searched PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE and 47 meta-analyses were included in the umbrella review. The strength of the associations was extracted and compared among different populations. The quality/certainty of evidence was assessed using AMSTAR-2 and GRADE tool.

RESULTS

Results indicate that social support serves as a protective factor against depression, particularly in peripartum populations, while its impact is weaker in clinical populations. No association was found between social support and depression in post-disaster populations. Stigma and discrimination favour the development and maintenance of depressive symptoms in clinical populations, but have a weaker effect in ethnic minorities.

LIMITATIONS

The quality and certainty of evidence should be taken into account when interpreting our findings. Further research with more rigorous methodology and higher-quality evidence is needed to better understand the complex relationship between depression and social connection across various populations and contexts.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings confirm the role of social determinants in the emergence and severity of depression, particularly in the case of vulnerable populations. Efforts to counteract disconnection at the societal and individual levels and to reduce stigma should be central to an effective depression prevention agenda.

Relationship Between Self-Compassion and Compassion for Others: The Mediated Effect of Perceived Social Support and Psychological Resilience

Studies from individualistic cultural contexts have shown there were no or negative significant correlation between self-compassion and compassion (for others). However, there may be a closer association between them in a collectivism and Buddhism culture. This study randomly selected 441 college students in China and used measures of self-compassion, trait compassion (compassion for others), psychological resilience, and perceiving social support to investigate this relationship. The results showed a moderately positive correlation between self-compassion and compassion. Further chain-mediation analyses revealed that self-compassion not only directly predicted compassion for others but also indirectly influenced it through the mediating effects of perceiving social support and psychological resilience. The results of this study suggest that the quality of compassion may be significantly influenced by culture.

The neural correlates of perceived social support and its relationship to psychological well-being

Introduction

Perceived social support is considered to play a significant role in promoting individuals' health and well-being, and yet the neural correlates of perceived social support were not fully understood. An exploration of the neural correlates of individual differences in the SPS can help us to gain more comprehensive understanding about the neural correlates of perceived social support. What's more, our study will explore the relationship among perceived social support, brain regions, and psychological well-being, which may provide new insights into the neural correlates underlying the relationship between perceived social support and psychological well-being from the perspective of cognitive neuroscience.

Methods

Herein, we used the Social Provisions Scale to assess individuals' perceived social support, and magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure the gray matter (GM) volume of the whole brain. What's more, we also measured psychological well-being using the Psychological Well-Being Scale, and mediation analysis was used to explore the relationship among perceived social support, brain regions, and psychological well-being.

Results

The voxel-based morphometry analysis of the whole brain revealed that perceived social support was positively correlated with GM volume of the left middle temporal gyrus (MTG). The finding indicated that a person with greater GM volume in the left MTG perceived more social support. More importantly, the left MTG GM volume observed above was also associated with psychological well-being, and the link between the two was mediated by perceived social support.

Discussion

These results revealed the importance of MTG for perceived social support and psychological well-being, and also suggested that perceived social support might explain the relationship between MTG and psychological well-being.

Relevance of spirituality and perceived social support to mental health of people with pre-existing mental health disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal investigation

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic and related measures have negatively impacted mental health worldwide. The main objective of the present longitudinal study was to investigate mental health in people living in Tyrol (Austria) and South Tyrol (Italy) during the COVID-19 pandemic and to report the prevalence of psychological distress among individuals with versus those without pre-existing mental health disorders (MHD) in the long-term (summer 2020-winter 2022). Here, we specifically focus on the relevance of spirituality and perceived social support in this regard.

METHODS

161 individuals who had been diagnosed with MHD and 446 reference subjects participated in this online survey. Electronic data capture was conducted using the Computer-based Health Evaluation System and included both sociodemographic and clinical aspects as well as standardized questionnaires on psychological distress, spirituality, and the perception of social support.

RESULTS

The prevalence of psychological distress was significantly higher in individuals with MHD (36.6% vs. 12.3%) and remained unchanged among both groups over time. At baseline, the perception of social support was significantly higher in healthy control subjects, whereas the two groups were comparable in regards of the subjective relevance of faith. Reference subjects indicated significantly higher spiritual well-being in terms of the sense of meaning in life and peacefulness, which mediated in large part the between-group difference of psychological distress at follow-up. Notably, both faith and the perception of social support did not prove to be relevant in this context.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings point to a consistently high prevalence of psychological distress among people suffering from MHD and underscore the prominent role of meaning in life and peacefulness as a protective factor in times of crisis. Therapeutic strategies that specifically target spirituality may have a beneficial impact on mental health.

Association Between Social Support, and Depressive Symptoms Among Firefighters: The Mediating Role of Negative Coping

Background

Depressive symptoms (DS) can erode physical and mental health; social support (SS) is considered a buffer for DS and a promoter for improving coping and recovery abilities. However, there is almost no research on the mediating role of negative coping (NC) in SS and DS, especially among firefighters.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among firefighters in Chongqing, China, and the valid data of 407 firefighters were collected through questionnaires distributed on the WeChat platform in 2020. Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) 26.0 is used for descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. Structural equation modeling was adopted to analyze the association among SS, NC, and DS. The mediation effect is also evaluated.

Results

Firefighters' detection rate of DS is 23.3%, and when they receive more SS were less likely to develop DS. NC was positively correlated with DS (β = 0.54, p < 0.001) after controlling for SS. Besides, the results of structural equation modeling showed that NC partially mediates the relationship between SS and DS (standard error = 0.039, indirect effects = 0.109, 95% confidence interval: 0.047-0.200 p < 0.001).

Conclusion

NC has a partial indirect effect between SS and DS among firefighters. SS could not only affect DS directly but also indirect work on it by affecting NC. This discovery will be a novel and meaningful part of the research on the firefighter population.

Social support and overeating in young women: The role of altering functional network connectivity patterns and negative emotions

Research suggests that social support has a protective effect on emotional health and emotionally induced overeating. Women are especially more sensitive to benefits from social support when facing eating problems. Although it has been demonstrated that social support can affect the neural processes of emotion regulation and reward perception, it is unclear how social support alters synergistic patterns in large-scale brain networks associated with negative emotions and overeating. We used a large sample of young women aged 17-22 years (N = 360) to examine how social support influences the synchrony of five intrinsic networks (executive control network [ECN], default mode network, salience network [SN], basal ganglia network, and precuneus network [PN]) and how these networks influence negative affect and overeating. Additionally, we explored these analyses in another sample of males (N = 136). After statistically controlling for differences in age and head movement, we observed significant associations of higher levels of social support with increased intra- and inter-network functional synchrony, particularly for ECN-centered network connectivity. Subsequent chain-mediated analyses showed that social support predicted overeating through the ECN-SN and ECN-PN network connectivity and negative emotions. However, these results were not found in men. These findings suggest that social support influences the synergistic patterns within and between intrinsic networks related to inhibitory control, emotion salience, self-referential thinking, and reward sensitivity. Furthermore, they reveal that social support and its neural markers may play a key role in young women's emotional health and eating behavior.

Perceived importance of emotional support provided by health care professionals and social networks: Should we broaden our focus for the delivery of supportive care?

INTRODUCTION

Emotional support provided by health care professionals (HCPs) for people diagnosed with cancer is associated with improved outcomes. Support via social networks may also be important.

AIMS

To report among a sample of distressed patients and caregivers, (1) the importance attributed to different sources of emotional support (HCPs and social networks) by distressed cancer patients and caregivers; (2) the proportion who indicate they did not receive sufficient levels of emotional support; and (3) potential associations between respondents' demographic and clinical characteristics and reported lack of emotional support.

METHODS

This study utilised cross-sectional data from telephone interviews collected during the usual-care phase of the Structured Triage and Referral by Telephone (START) trial. Participants completed a telephone interview 6 months after their initial call to the Cancer Council Information and Support service and included recall of importance and sufficiency of emotional support.

RESULTS

More than two-thirds of patients (n = 234) and caregivers (n = 152) reported that family and friends were very important sources of emotional support. Nurses (69% and 42%) and doctors (68% and 47%) were reported very important, while a lower proportion reported that psychologists and psychiatrists were very important (39%, and 43%). Insufficient levels of support were reported by 36% of participants. Perceptions of insufficient support were significantly associated with distress levels (p < .0001) and not having a partner (p = .0115).

CONCLUSION

Social networks, particularly family, are an important source of emotional support. Higher levels of distress, those without partners, and caregivers may require targeted interventions to increase their access to emotional support.

Attachment insecurity, heart rate variability, and perceived social support in a diverse sample of young adults

Psychological and physical factors are robustly associated with perceived social support. Drawing from the literature on attachment style in adults and psychophysiology, we examined the possibility that the interaction of attachment insecurity and resting heart rate variability (HRV) was associated with perceived social support in a diverse sample of young adults living in the U.S (N = 145, Mage = 20.45) that was majority Latino (n = 77). Analyses revealed three key findings. First, in the overall sample, attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety were negatively associated with perceived social support, but in the Latino sample, only attachment avoidance was negatively associated with perceived social support. Second, HRV was not associated with perceived social support in the overall sample nor in the Latino sample. Third, attachment insecurity and HRV interacted to predict perceived social support only in the Latino sample such that, for those with lower levels of HRV, attachment anxiety was positively associated with perceived social support. This study underscores the importance of examining both psychological and physiological processes with careful consideration of ethnicity/culture in order to better understand perceived social support.

Getting Good Sleep with Family Support: The Role of Fear of Crime and Loneliness

Sleep problems in middle-aged and older people can threaten their physical and mental health. Family support is regarded as a key factor that affects sleep quality, but the influence mechanism remains underexplored. This study analyzes the mediating effects of fear of crime (FOC) and loneliness in the relationship between family support and sleep quality, and explores whether gender plays a moderating role between family support and FOC. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 1043 Chinese middle-aged and older people aged 45-93 years. Using 10,000 bootstrapped samples, the study shows that middle-aged and older people who receive more family support have better sleep quality, and FOC and loneliness play mediating role in this association. Gender moderates the relationship between family support and FOC. Compared with men, family support for females has a greater impact on their FOC condition, and the mediating effect of family support on sleep quality through FOC is also greater among women. Family support can affect sleep quality through the chain mediating effect of FOC and loneliness for women. This study provides an in-depth understanding of the relationship between family support and sleep quality.

(De)Stigmatizing Depression on Social Media: The Role of Responsibility Frames

Responsibility frames on social media could shape recipients' responses toward people with depression, which is crucial for the public (de)stigmatization of the mental disorder. Thus, the present study examines the effects of different responsibility frames (individual, social, combination) in Instagram-posts about depression on respondents' related attributions as well as their emotional and behavioral reactions toward people suffering from the illness. Our online-experiment (N = 1,015) revealed that frames emphasizing the responsibility of one's social network (e.g. family, friends and professionals) for depression, i.e. social frames, strengthened participants' attributions to the social network, i.e. social attributions, most effectively. Individual frames, however, primarily intensified individual attributions to those affected by depression. Contrary to previous findings, a combination frame did not prove to increase recipients' social attributions more than a one-sided social frame. For emotional and behavioral responses, we did not find any effects of responsibility frames compared to the control group-possibly due to buffering effects of the narrative structure of the Instagram posts.

Social and psychological resources and COVID-19 related fear, threat and worry

OBJECTIVES

The current study examines the relationship between social/psychological resources and COVID-related fear, threat, and worry.

METHODS

This work is based on data collected in March 23, 2020 from a national sample of 10,368 adults (ages 18 or older) living in the United States. The final sample of 10,368 was post-stratification weighted across gender, age, race, income, and geography (state) to ensure representativeness of the overall population of the United States.

RESULTS

Findings suggest some social and psychological resources are related to COVID-specific distress (fear/threat/worry), but depending on the resource, relationships vary in both direction and significance. On the one hand, strength of social ties and mastery of fate play a protective role in perceived distress (fear/threat/worry) related to COVID. On the other hand, community connectedness is significantly related to higher levels of COVID-specific fear, threat, and worry.

CONCLUSIONS

The analyses provide some evidence of the nature of the relationships between social and psychological resources and perceived COVID-19 distress that vary by race and ethnicity. These and other relationships are explored and discussed in the context of improving ones well-being with mediating social and psychological resources.

Social Regulation of the Neural Threat Response Predicts Subsequent Markers of Physical Health

OBJECTIVE

Social support has been linked to a vast range of beneficial health outcomes. However, the physiological mechanisms of social support are not well characterized. Drawing on functional magnetic resonance imaging and health-related outcome data, this study aimed to understand how neural measures of "yielding"-the reduction of brain activity during social support-moderate the link between social support and health.

METHODS

We used a data set where 78 participants around the age of 24 years were exposed to the threat of shock when holding the hand of a partner. At ages 28 to 30 years, participants returned for a health visit where inflammatory activity and heart rate variability were recorded.

RESULTS

Findings showed a significant interaction between dorsal anterior cingulate cortex-related yielding and perceived social support on C-reactive protein levels ( β = -0.95, SE = 0.42, z = -2.24, p = .025, 95% confidence interval = -1.77 to -0.12). We also found a significant interaction between hypothalamus-related yielding and perceived social support on baseline heart rate variability ( β = 0.51, SE = 0.23, z = 2.19, p = .028, 95% confidence interval = 0.05 to 0.97).

CONCLUSIONS

Greater perceived social support was associated with lower C-reactive protein levels and greater baseline heart rate variability among individuals who were more likely to yield to social support in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and hypothalamus years earlier. The current study highlights the construct of yielding in the link between social support and physical health.

Social relationships and epigenetic aging in older adulthood: Results from the Health and Retirement Study

Growing evidence suggests that social relationship quality can influence age-related health outcomes, although how the quality of one's relationships directly relates to the underlying aging process is less clear. We hypothesized that the absence of close relationships as well as lower support and higher strain within existing relationships would be associated with an accelerated epigenetic aging profile among older adults in the Health and Retirement Study. Adults (N = 3,647) aged 50-100 years completed ratings of support and strain in relationships with their spouse, children, other family members, and friends. They also provided a blood sample that was used for DNA methylation profiling to calculate a priori-specified epigenetic aging measures: Horvath, Hannum, PhenoAge, GrimAge, and Dunedin Pace of Aging methylation (DunedinPoAm38). Generalized linear models that adjusted for chronological age, sex, and race/ethnicity and applied a false discovery rate correction revealed that the absence of marital and friend relationships related to an older GrimAge and faster DunedinPoAm38. Among those with existing relationships, lower support from a spouse, child, other family, and friends and higher strain with friends related to an older PhenoAge and GrimAge and faster DunedinPoAm38. In secondary analyses that further adjusted for socioeconomic and lifestyle factors, lower support from other family members and friends was associated with greater epigenetic aging. Findings suggest that the absence of close relationships and lower support within existing relationships-particularly with family members and friends-relate to accelerated epigenetic aging in older adulthood, offering one mechanism through which social relationships might influence risk for age-related declines and disease.

Longitudinal Association Between Perceived Availability of Home- and Community-Based Services and All-Cause Mortality Among Chinese Older Adults: A National Cohort Study

Home- and community-based services (HCBS) may contribute to lowering mortality and enhancing quality of life among older adults. Limited research, however, has examined this relationship in the Chinese context. This study explored the longitudinal association between perceived availability of HCBS and all-cause mortality among Chinese older adults. This cohort study included 8,102 individuals aged 65 years and older from the 2011, 2014, and 2018 waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. HCBS included daily life assistance, medical care services, emotional support and social services, and reconciliation and legal aid services. The association between perceived availability of HCBS and all-cause mortality was investigated using Cox proportional hazards models. Emotional support and social services were negatively associated with all-cause mortality (HR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.78 ~ 0.95, P = .004). Daily life assistance, medical care services, and reconciliation and legal aid services were not significantly associated with all-cause mortality. Providing community-level emotional support and social services may reduce the risk of death. Focusing on the mental health and social well-being of older adults is just as important as caring for their physical health.

Online Experiences, Internet-Fostered Connection, Resilience, and Adjustment Among Adolescent Siblings of Children With Cancer

BACKGROUND

Pediatric cancer disrupts the lives of siblings in many ways, including physical separations from family and friends that increase risk for distress. Research suggests that siblings use technology and social media to connect with friends and family and seek social support and interaction. However, this may expose siblings to negative online experiences that can erode self-esteem, reducing resilience.

OBJECTIVE

This study explored the relationship between online experiences, internet-fostered connection, resilience, and psychosocial health among siblings of children with cancer.

METHODS

Participants included adolescent siblings (N = 81; aged 12-17 years) of children with cancer. Most were female (56.8%), and 50.6% represented racially or ethnically minoritized groups. Online experiences, social media use, resilience, and psychosocial health were self-reported and analyzed using structural equation modeling.

RESULTS

A majority of siblings reported moderate to severe posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs) (59%) and elevated emotional and behavioral difficulties (EBDs) (53%). Experiencing more positive online experiences was associated with greater perceived connection to family and friends online, but not resilience, PTSSs, or EBDs. In contrast, higher negative online experience scores were significantly associated with more PTSSs and EBDs. In addition, the association between negative online experiences and EBDs was significantly mediated by a negative association between negative online experiences and resilience.

CONCLUSIONS

Although social media may be a valuable tool for helping siblings of children with cancer garner social support, negative online experiences may be detrimental to their adjustment.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Efforts should be made to preserve and foster resilience among siblings who use social media for support.

A Bifactor-ESEM Representation of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support

The aim of this study is to examine the factor structure of Turkish version of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and to analyze its psychometric properties through the bifactor-ESEM framework. Using a convenience sample of 1124 Turkish adults, seven different models were tested. The results supported the superiority of a bifactor-ESEM solution that included three specific factors (family, friends, and significant others) and a general factor. In addition, bifactor indices showed that the general factor of MSPSS is not strong enough and its multidimensional structure is supported. For the bifactor-ESEM model, strict measurement invariance was achieved according to the gender variable. Our results supported convergent validity for the general and specific factors of the MSPSS, which were found to be associated with measures of distress, loneliness, and resilience. As a result, MSPSS is a valid and reliable measurement tool with its bifactor-ESEM model.

Negative Stressful Life Events and Social Support Are Associated With White Matter Integrity in Depressed Patients and Healthy Control Participants: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study

BACKGROUND

Negative stressful life events and deprivation of social support play critical roles in the development and maintenance of major depressive disorder (MDD). The present study aimed to investigate in a large sample of patients with MDD and healthy control participants (HCs) whether these effects are also reflected in white matter (WM) integrity.

METHODS

In this diffusion tensor imaging study, 793 patients with MDD and 793 age- and sex-matched HCs were drawn from the Marburg-Münster Affective Disorders Cohort Study (MACS) and completed the Life Events Questionnaire (LEQ) and Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ). Generalized linear models were performed to test voxelwise associations between fractional anisotropy (FA) and diagnosis (analysis 1), LEQ (analysis 2), and SSQ (analysis 3). We examined whether SSQ interacts with LEQ on FA or is independently associated with improved WM integrity (analysis 4).

RESULTS

Patients with MDD showed lower FA in several frontotemporal association fibers compared with HCs (pTFCE-FWE = .028). Across both groups, LEQ correlated negatively with FA in widely distributed WM tracts (pTFCE-FWE = .023), while SSQ correlated positively with FA in the corpus callosum (pTFCE-FWE = .043). Modeling the combined association of both variables on FA revealed significant-and antagonistic-main effects of LEQ (pTFCE-FWE = .031) and SSQ (pTFCE-FWE = .037), but no interaction of SSQ × LEQ.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that negative stressful life events and social support are both related to WM integrity in opposing directions. The associations did not differ between patients with MDD and HCs, suggesting more general, rather than depression-specific, mechanisms. Furthermore, social support appears to contribute to improved WM integrity independent of stressful life events.

Association between Social Support and Depressive Symptoms in Informal Caregivers of Adult and Older Dependents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Social support is an important determinant of a carer's mental health. In recent decades, despite many studies reporting on the relationship between social support and depressive symptoms in informal caregivers of adult and older dependents, there are no systematic reviews synthesizing the available evidence. The purpose of the present study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on the relationship between social support and depressive symptoms in informal caregivers of adults and older dependent people. We searched PubMed, CINAHL (EBSCO), PsycINFO (ProQuest), and Scopus, up to 15 January 2023 for studies. We applied no date or language limits to our search. A random-effects model was used to pool effect estimates. The included studies were also independently assessed for quality. Publication bias was evaluated by funnel plots, Egger's regression test, and the Trim and Fill method. Ninety-three studies were included in the review, reporting on a total of 15,431 informal caregivers. We found a moderate negative association between perceived social support and caregiver depressive symptoms (78 studies; r = -0.35, 95% CI = -0.39, -0.31; low heterogeneity and low risk of publications bias) and a small negative association between received social support and caregiver self-reported depressive symptoms (12 studies; r = -0.14, 95% CI = -0.20, -0.07; low heterogeneity and low risk of publications bias). Our results indicate that social support is a clinically relevant construct for carer well-being and an important protective factor for depressive symptoms in informal caregivers of adult and older dependents.

Spousal Synchrony in Allostatic Load Among Older Couples in the Health and Retirement Study

OBJECTIVE

Using national data from the Health and Retirement Study, this study examined interpartner associations of allostatic load (AL) among 2338 different-sex couples ( N = 4676 individuals) over a 4-year period among older American couples from a dyadic approach.

METHODS

AL was indexed by immune (C-reactive protein), metabolic (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, and glycosylated hemoglobin), renal (cystatin C), cardiovascular (systolic and diastolic blood pressures, pulse rate), and anthropometric (waist and body mass index) parameters using the traditional count-based formulation. Actor-partner interdependence models were used to assess interpartner concordance in AL.

RESULTS

Higher partners' baseline AL was significantly associated with higher own AL both at baseline and 4 years later. In addition, partners' baseline AL was significantly associated with own AL 4 years later only in women but not men. Lastly, we did not observe any significant moderating effect of relationship quality on interpartner AL concordance.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that older couples' physiological responses to environmental stress are not only linked concurrently, but the associations persist after 4 years, alluding to long-term impacts of couples' psychosocial context and physiology on each other.

Association of Social Support with Rehabilitation Outcome among Older Adults with Hip Fracture Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study at Post-Acute Care Facility in Asia

OBJECTIVES

There is growing interest in the role of social support during the recovery after hip fractures. The research to date has been mainly focused on structural support, with few studies concerned with functional support. This study examined the effects of both functional and structural aspects of social support on rehabilitation outcomes among older adults with hip fracture surgery.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Consecutive older adults (≥60 years) with hip fracture surgery who underwent inpatient rehabilitation in a post-acute care facility in Singapore between January 11, 2021, and October 30, 2021 (n = 112).

METHODS

We administered the Medical Outcome Study-Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS) to assess perceived functional support of patients and used living arrangement as an indicator for structural support. Participants were followed up over the inpatient stay at the post-acute care facility until discharge; thereafter, rehabilitation efficiency (REy) and rehabilitation effectiveness (REs) were evaluated. Multiple linear regressions were performed to examine the associations of MOS-SSS score and living arrangement with REy and REs, respectively, adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, comorbidity, body mass index, prefracture function, type of fracture, and length of stay.

RESULTS

Perceived functional support had positive associations with rehabilitation outcomes. A 1-unit increase in MOS-SSS total score was associated with 0.15 units (95% CI 0.03-0.3, P = .029) greater gain in physical function after a typical 1-month stay, and 0.21 units (95% CI 0.01-0.41, P = .040) higher achievement in potential functional improvement upon discharge. In contrast, no association was observed between structural support and rehabilitation outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Perceived functional support may significantly impact the recovery of older adults with hip fracture during the inpatient rehabilitation process, independent of structural support. Our findings suggest the potential of incorporating interventions enhancing perceived functional support of patients into the post-acute care model for hip fracture.

Intimate Partner Violence Survivors' Daily Experiences of Social Disconnection, Substance Use, and Sex with Secondary Partners

Women who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) are disproportionately likely to engage in sexual risk behavior, including sex with a secondary partner (i.e., sex partners outside their primary relationship). Social disconnection has been identified as a social determinant of health that may enhance understanding of sex with a secondary partner. This study extends past research by using an intensive longitudinal design consisting of multiple daily assessments to examine event-level associations between women IPV survivors' social disconnection and sex with a secondary partner concurrently (i.e., during the same aggregated assessment) and temporally (i.e., social disconnection during one assessment predicting sex with a secondary partner in a subsequent assessment) over a 14-day period, in consideration of physical, psychological, and sexual IPV, and alcohol and drug use. Participants (N = 244) were recruited from New England through 2017. Results from multilevel logistic regression models indicate that women who experienced greater social disconnection on average were more likely to report sex with a secondary partner. However, after including IPV and substance use in the model, the strength of this relationship was attenuated. Sexual IPV emerged as a between-person predictor of sex with a secondary partner in temporally lagged models. Results provide insight into the relationships between daily social disconnection and sex with a secondary partner among IPV survivors, particularly regarding the effects of substance use and IPV both concurrently and temporally. Taken together, findings emphasize the importance of social connection for women's well-being and highlight the need for interventions that enhance interpersonal connectedness.

Community peer support among individuals living with spinal cord injury

Peer support is widely assumed to help individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) adjust, yet the evidence is mixed. We propose that peer support may be more likely to promote adjustment when informal support is lacking. To test this hypothesis, 135 individuals living with SCI receiving peer support (46.7% female; Mage = 42.36, SD = 14.83) completed an online survey assessing aspects of and satisfaction with the peer support and family/friend support that they were receiving as well as measures of adjustment. Although those reporting receiving more peer support were not any better adjusted than those reporting less, individuals who were more satisfied with the peer support they received reported better adjustment. Moreover, the relation of satisfaction with peer support with depressive symptoms was dependent on the level of family/friend support. These findings suggest that peer support is most effective among those lacking support from family and friends.

Relationship between social support and 7-year trajectories of cognitive decline: results from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

BACKGROUND

Social support is associated with cognitive function at an older age, but how distinct dimensions of social support affect trajectories of cognitive decline in older Chinese adults remains unclear.

METHODS

Using longitudinal data (waves 1-4) from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, 7-year trajectories of cognitive decline by various social support markers, including family support, financial support, public support and perceived support, were estimated using latent growth curve modelling for adults aged 60 and over (N=6795).

RESULTS

After adjusting for baseline sociodemographics, behaviours, body mass index and health conditions, all social support markers were associated with baseline cognitive function, except for living with spouse. Participants living with spouse experienced a slower cognitive decline (0.069 per year, 95% CI 0.006, 0.133) than those who were not. A faster cognitive decline was associated with co-residing with children (-0.053 per year, 95% CI -0.104, -0.003), receiving ≥¥5000 from children (-0.095 per year, 95% CI -0.179, -0.011), receiving financial support from others (-0.108 per year, 95% CI -0.208, -0.008) and perceived support (-0.068 per year, 95% CI -0.123, -0.013). When all markers were mutually adjusted for, the associations of living with spouse and receiving financial support from others with cognitive decline disappeared. Stratifying by rural-urban residence, medical insurance and meeting children 1-3 times per month were associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline in urban residents but not in rural residents.

CONCLUSION

Overall, our findings confirm that the effects of distinct domains of social support on cognitive decline vary. More equally good social security systems should be established in urban and rural China.

The Relationship Between Stress and Sleep Sufficiency in the Context of Varied Workplace Social Support

OBJECTIVE

Sufficient sleep is essential for well-being. We examined the relationship between work-related social support, work stress, and sleep sufficiency, predicting that workers with higher social support would report higher sleep sufficiency across varying levels of work stress.

METHODS

The data set analyzed in the present study included 2213 workers from approximately 200 small (<500 employees) businesses in high, medium, and low hazard industries across Colorado.

RESULTS

Perceived social support variables moderated the relationship between work stress and sleep sufficiency such that employees reporting higher levels of social support reported higher sleep sufficiency when work stress was low or moderate but not high.

CONCLUSIONS

Although preventing work stress is optimal, in cases where employers cannot apply primary interventions to prevent stress (eg, eliminating/reducing night shifts), employers should attempt to increase social support or other more relevant resources for employees.

Psychiatric comorbidity in emergency general surgery patients: a prospective observational study

Objectives

Annually, approximately 27 million individuals in the United States are admitted to hospitals for emergency general surgery (EGS). Approximately 50% develop postoperative complications and 22% require unplanned readmission within 90 days, highlighting a need to understand factors impacting well-being and recovery. Psychiatric comorbidity can impact medical treatment adherence, cost, and premature mortality risk. Despite the severity of illness in EGS, there is limited research on psychiatric comorbidity in EGS patients. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to characterize EGS patient mental health and to assess its relationship with pain, social support, and healthcare utilization (ie, length of stay, readmission).

Methods

Adult EGS patients were screened for participation during hospitalization. Inclusion criteria included: (1) 18 years or older, (2) communicate fluently in English, and (3) assessed within 7 days of admission. Participants (n=95) completed assessment, which included a structured clinical diagnostic interview. Record review captured medical variables, including length of stay, discharge disposition, narcotic prescription, and 90-day readmission rates.

Results

Ninety-five patients completed the assessment, and 31.6% met criteria for at least one current psychiatric diagnosis; 21.3% with a major depressive episode, 9.6% with a substance use disorder, and 7.5% with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Lower perceived social support and greater pain severity and interference were significantly related to more severe depression and anxiety. Depression was associated with longer length of stay, and those with PTSD were more likely to be re-admitted.

Conclusion

The EGS patient sample exhibited psychiatric disorder rates greater than the general public, particularly regarding depression and anxiety. Screening protocols and incorporation of psychological and social interventions may assist in recovery following EGS.

Level of evidence

Level II, prognostic.

Hippocampus links perceived social support with self-esteem

Self-esteem is an important psychological resource with adaptive values, and numerous investigations have revealed that self-esteem is influenced by perceived social support. However, the potential neural basis linking perceived social support with self-esteem remains unclear. Therefore, we used voxel-based morphometry to explore whether the hippocampus and amygdala function as the neuroanatomical basis linking perceived social support with self-esteem in a cohort of 243 young healthy adults (128 women; mean age 22.64 years, standard deviation 1.01 years). The Social Provisions Scale and Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale were used for the survey. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure the gray matter volume of the hippocampus and amygdala. Correlation analysis revealed that those who perceived more social support had higher self-esteem. Notably, mediation analysis showed that hippocampal gray matter volume linked perceived social support with self-esteem. Our study suggests that the hippocampus plays a primary, but not exclusive, role in linking perceived social support with self-esteem, which provides a novel explanation for how perceived social support affects self-esteem from the perspective of cognitive neuroscience.