Social relationships and psychological well-being in rheumatoid arthritis

This study examines the social relationships of a sample of 158 patients attending a hospital rheumatology clinic with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Scores of the sample were compared with those of other samples on the Interview Schedule for Social Interaction (ISSI). In addition the effects of severity of disease activity and of disability upon social relationships were examined. Diffuse social relationships such as with friends and acquaintances, rather than more intimate ones appear to be more affected in individuals with RA. Psychological well-being was assessed by means of two measures. The more favourably patients scored for social relationships, the more favourable were their scores for psychological well-being using both scores. More diffuse social relationships were more strongly correlated with psychological well-being than were the scores for more intimate relationships. Despite the strong effects of social relationships upon well-being, no buffering action on the effects of disability upon well-being were found.     

Quality of life among Iranian refugees resettled in Sweden

The relationships between quality of life, psychopathological manifestations and coping related variables (coping resources, social support, sense of coherence) were examined among individuals who have perceived several severe traumata. One hundred Iranian refugees resettled in Sweden have been investigated by the Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Coping Resources Inventory (CRI), and the Interview Schedule for Social Interaction (ISSI), the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC), and the WHOQoL-100 questionnaire in a cross-sectional study. Individuals, traumatized by combat experiences as a soldier during the war, with low BDI scores showed on average the significantly highest overall quality of life, the best physical health, the highest scores according to the sense of coherence most pronounced for "Meaningfulness," and the best availability of social integration compared to participants who did not had these experiences in combats and those with the experience but scored high in the BDI. Quality of life, coping resources, and social support were found closely related to psychopathological manifestations. Motivational orientations (highly developed Meaningfulness-SOC) and various coping competencies probably enable some traumatized individuals to resist against several traumata and to live in a good quality of life without psychopathological disturbances.     

The factors associated with care‐related quality of life of adults with intellectual disabilities in England: implications for policy and practice

Over the last three decades, quality of life (QoL) has been advocated as an indicator of social care outcomes for adults with intellectual disabilities. In England, the Adult Social Care Survey (ASCS) is conducted annually by local authorities to contribute to the evidence base of the care‐related QoL of people receiving publicly funded adult social care. This study explores relationships between QoL and non‐care‐related factors to identify relationships that could inform social care policy and practice. Cross‐sectional data collected from 13,642 adults who participated in the 2011 and 2012 ASCS were analysed using regression to explore the factors associated with QoL measured using the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit (ASCOT). Self‐rated health, rating of the suitability of home design and anxiety/depression were all found to be significantly associated with ASCOT. Other individual and survey completion factors were also found to have weak significant relationships with ASCOT. The models also indicate that there was an increase in overall ASCOT‐QoL and in five of the eight ASCOT domains (Personal comfort and cleanliness, Safety, Social participation, Occupation and Dignity) between 2011 and 2012. These findings demonstrate the potential value of QoL data for informing policy for people with intellectual disabilities by identifying key factors associated with QoL, the characteristics of those at risk of lower QoL, and QoL domains that could be targeted for improvement over time. Future research should establish causal relationships and explore the risk adjustment of scores to account for variation outside of the control of social care support.     

Social network type and health-related behaviors: evidence from an American national survey

This study examined the association between social network type and engagement in physical activity, alcohol abuse and use of complementary and alternative medicine by older Americans. Data from the National Social Life, Health & Aging Project were employed. Multivariate logistic regressions conducted separately for each health behavior showed that older people embedded in less resourceful network types were at greater risk for alcohol abuse, physical inactivity and less use of complementary and alternative medicine, net of the effects of sociodemographic characteristics, health, and the quality of the social relationships. The study underscores the importance of the construct of social network type for understanding healthy lifestyle in late life.     

大学生心理健康与社会支持关系研究

目的了解大学生心理健康水平及社会支持情况,探讨大学生心理健康与社会支持的关系,为医学院校学生的心理健康教育工作提供信息和依据。方法采用文献研究和问卷调查方法,采用《社会支持评定量表》和《症状自评量表》对某医学院校725名学生进行测量。结果被调查学生心理健康水平显著低于全国平均水平,不同年级学生的社会支持水平有显著差异,不同家庭类型的学生在主观社会支持和支持利用度上有显著差异。相关性分析表明,学生心理健康与社会支持有显著相关性结论。心理健康与社会支持具有相关性．且社会支持是影响学生心理健康的重要因素。     

Social support, disability and depression: a longitudinal study of rheumatoid arthritis.

The objectives of this study were (i) to assess aspects of the reliability and validity of an instrument measuring social support and social relationships, in the field of physical disability; (ii) to assess the impact of disability on social relationships and (iii) to examine effects of social support upon psychological well-being over time. One hundred and forty nine individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were assessed on two occasions separated by 15 months. Social support was assessed by means of the Interview Schedule for Social Interaction. The instrument was found to have satisfactory reliability and validity. It revealed that more diffuse social relationships were more affected by RA. Scores for social relationships were as strongly related to depressed mood over time as were disease and disability variables.     

Gender differences in relationships between social capital and individual smoking and drinking behavior in Taiwan

Despite the concept of social capital receiving great attention in the area of health research, few studies have analyzed the differential effects of social capital between genders. This article assesses gender differences in the relationships between social capital and smoking and drinking behavior in Taiwan. Data on individual sociodemographic characteristics, smoking, drinking, and social capital were obtained from the Taiwan Social Change Survey conducted in 1995 and in 2000. The overall response rate was 67%. In total, 3713 women and men aged over 20 years living in 204 neighborhoods were interviewed. Social capital indicators were aggregated at the neighborhood level, and included neighborhood closeness, political influence, social contact, social trust, and social participation. The data were analyzed with multilevel binomial regression models. Gender differences were found in some aspects of social capital. Stronger effects of social trust on smoking were found for women than for men, whereas stronger effects of neighborhood closeness on drinking were found for women than for men. Social participation was positively associated with drinking in both genders. The findings of this study provide new evidence for the differential effects of social capital by gender in Taiwan, suggesting that more studies are needed to understand social capital's effects in Asian societies and the mechanisms by which the effects may vary with gender.     

社会支持对食管癌手术后患者生命质量的影响

目的探讨社会支持与食管癌手术后患者生命质量的关系。方法采用生命质量测定量表(QLQ-C30)和社会支持评定量表(SSRS)对84例食管癌患者的生命质量和社会支持现状进行测评,并对结果进行分析。结果食管癌患者整体生命质量较差;食管癌患者获得较多的社会支持,但对支持的利用度较低;社会支持总分与食管癌患者的生命质量呈正相关(r=0.482,P﹤0.01)。结论社会支持与食管癌患者的生命质量密切相关,应重视食管癌患者的社会支持,增强其对社会支持的利用度,提高其生命质量。     

Using geographically weighted regression for social inequality analysis: association between mentally unhealthy days (MUDs) and socioeconomic status (SES) in U.S. counties

This research explores geographic variability of factors on social inequality related to mental health in the United States using county-level data in 2014. First, we account for complex design factors in Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data such as clustering, stratification, and sample weight using Complex Samples General Linear Model (CSGLM). Then, three variables are used in the model as indicators of social inequality, low socioeconomic status (SES): unemployment, education status, and social association status. A geographically weighted regression analysis is applied to examine the spatial variations in the associations of mentally unhealthy days (MUDs) with the indicators of SES in the United States. The results demonstrate that unemployment and education level show global positive and negative influences respectively on MUDs. Social association status ranged from positive to negative across the United States, implying some geographic clustering. These findings suggest that social and health policies should be adjusted to address the different effects of indicators of social inequality on mental health across different social characteristics of communities to more effectively manage mental health problems.     

上海市闵行区社区居民生活满意度与社会支持、应对方式关系研究

目的 了解上海市闵行区居民生活满意度和社会支持、应对方式现况,分析其相互关系,为社区开展心理健康干预提供依据.方法 采用简单随机抽样方法,对年满18周岁常住居民开展调查.测评工具选用“简明幸福与生活质量满意程度量表”、“社会支持评定量表”和“简单应对方式问卷”.结果 共调查1 440人,居民生活满意度得分为（51.16±6.62）分,社会支持总分为（41.02±7.30）分,积极应对得分为（1.57±0.63）分,消极应对得分为（1.05±0.55）分.生活满意度与社会支持的3个维度及应对方式的二个维度间呈正相关（P＜0.05）.结论 社区居民的生活满意度与社会支持状况较好,但应对相时不足.未来在不断改善促进健康的客观支持环境的同时,更应关注人们的主观感知度,改善认知,提高意识与自我效能.     

Does Level of Social Capital Predict Perceived Health in a Community?—A Study of Adult Residents of Low-income Areas of Francistown,Botswana

This study explores and describes the relationships among neighbourhood characteristics, social capital, and health outcomes among low-income urban residents in Francistown, Botswana. Using an explanatory correlational research design to explore the relationships among the study variables, data were collected from 388 low-income urban residents in Francistown, Botswana. The study further examined the role of social capital on the environmental quality for the overall health and quality of life and the psychological, physical and level of independence domains of health. Several studies have explored these relationships but currently no study has explored this relationship in Africa and Botswana in particular. Selected concepts from social capital theory and stress theory were used as a conceptual framework. Using linear and multiple regression models, results of the study showed that social capital did not correlate with the overall health and quality of life and the level of independence domain of health but positively correlated with psychological well-being. Social capital negatively predicted physical health. Hierarchical moderated multiple-regression analyses were conducted to examine the moderating role of social capital. To the contrary, social capital did not moderate the effects of chronic community stressors on all health outcomes. Social capital, however, moderated the effects of the poor environmental quality on level of independence and physical health outcomes but not on the psychological and overall health and quality of life. These results underscore the importance of considering the role of social capital, especially in low-income communities.Key words: Cross-sectional studies, Environmental quality, Health status, Social capital, Social exclusion, Botswana     

Social role occupancy,gender, income adequacy,life stage and health: a longitudinal study of employed Canadian men and women

Social role researchers are increasingly going beyond simply asking whether role occupancy is associated with health status to clarifying the context in which particular social role-health relationships emerge. Building on this perspective, the present study investigates the relationship between social role occupancy and health status over time in a sample of employed Canadian men and women who vary by family role occupancy, life stage, and income adequacy. Results indicated that compared to triple role women (defined as those who are married, have children living at home and are in the workforce), single and double role occupants in 1994/95 were significantly more likely to report poorer self-rated health and the presence of a chronic health condition in 1996/97. This relationship held true for women in varying life stage and economic circumstances. While family role occupancies were not as strongly related to the health status of men as women, one exception emerged: for older men, single and double role occupants reported significantly poorer self-rated health status than triple role men. Methodological limitations of the study are discussed, and the need for added specificity in the study of social roles and health status emphasized.     

Different pathways in social support and quality of life between Korean American and Korean breast and gynecological cancer survivors

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate: (1) how social support influences quality of life (QOL) and (2) whether or not the pathways for predicting QOL outcomes differ between Korean American and Korean survivors of breast and gynecological cancer. METHOD: To identify multiple dimensions of health status and psychosocial outcomes, two standardized QOL and psychological distress measures were administered to 51 Korean Americans and 110 Koreans. Social support was measured by items assessing functional social support and social network structures. Hierarchical multiple regression and path analyses were employed to investigate the effects of social support on outcomes and to compare between Korean Americans and Koreans. RESULTS: The findings indicate that functional social support directly influences QOL and psychological distress, and social network structures are directly and/or indirectly associated with outcomes. Moreover, the two groups showed different pathways from social support to outcomes. CONCLUSION: This study provides practical research information by illuminating the relationships between social support components influencing QOL for Korean American and Korean survivors. This study may increase the utility and efficacy of the research and interventions to enhance cancer survivors' social participation and to diminish barriers to follow-up care, considering the different living conditions between the United States and Korea.     

Acculturating Indian Immigrant Men in New York City: Applying the Social Capital Construct to Understand Their Experiences and Health

This study qualitatively explored social capital available to individuals (N = 17) within a community-based purposive sample of adult male immigrants from India in New York City (NYC). Analysis of in-depth interview data identified possible pathways for social capital’s influences upon acculturative stress. The study defined social capital in terms of the participants’ social relationships among peers, in the workplace, and with their ethnic community. Their relationships were assessed in terms of support, trust, and reciprocity. Among the recent immigrants, hopelessness and frustration about future work prospects were associated with symptoms of depression and substance abuse. The participants identified wealth as a distinct marker of social class and they described social class as a combination of education and occupation. Social class largely determined the particular peer and community networks each participant joined. Participants relied upon ongoing connections with family in India, despite their geographic separation, to relieve acculturative stress. Social support from peers was the participants’ most useful and immediate resource for alleviating acculturative stress. For participants of lower socioeconomic status, acculturative stress was compounded by social-relationship expectations and norms from India that persisted within NYCs immigrant community. Namely, lower-SES participants were more likely to experience frustration and setbacks when they sought out intimate social relationships with women.     

Self-reported health in Poland and the United States: a comparative analysis of demographic, family and socioeconomic influences

This study compares the social determinants of individual health between the United States, a capitalist society, and Poland, a 'post-communist' society. The effects of demographic factors, family characteristics and socioeconomic status on self-reported health are estimated with OLS regression using data from the 1994 American and Polish General Social Surveys. The results show lower self-reported health and more rapid declines in health for people over 60 in Poland than in the United States. Also, in Poland, women report worse health than do men while the opposite is found for the United States. The relationships between education, income and health were stronger in the United States than in Poland. Age, gender and SES may operate differently in the two countries because of a gap in social development (e.g. varying living standards and styles, health care systems and cultural attitudes) between the West and the former Eastern Europe.     

Media and secondhand smoke exposure: results from a national survey

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether associations between anti-secondhand smoke (SHS) media, social cognitions about SHS, and home restrictions on smoking follow patterns observed in smoking behavior. METHODS: Based on a nationally representative sample of 2348 US adults drawn from the American Legacy Foundation's American Smoking and Health Survey, we tested relationships among scales of anti-SHS media, social cognitions, and home restrictions. RESULTS: We found anti-SHS media and SHS cognitions, as well as social cognitions and home restrictions, to be significantly associated. Social cognitions mediated the relationship between anti-SHS media and home restrictions. CONCLUSIONS: Previously observed relationships between media, social cognitions, and smoking also exist for SHS. Anti-SHS media campaigns to increase home restrictions may help to reduce SHS exposure.     

住院康复期精神分裂症患者心理健康状况与社会支持的调查

目的:探讨住院康复期精神分裂症患者心理健康状况与社会支持的相关性。方法:采用症状自评量表和社会支持量表对住院康复期137例精神分裂症患者进行问卷调查。结果:患者的心理健康状况较常模差;患者的社会支持度较常模低(P<0.01)。结论:社会支持与住院康复期精神分裂症患者的心理健康密切相关,护士在患者住院治疗的同时,应充分评估和利用患者的社会支持,促进身心康复。     

Quality of life of stroke survivors

Adaptation to stroke requires complex, long-term change in stroke survivors' lives. This study aimed at identifying those factors that influence quality of life (QOL) of geriatric stroke survivors 1–3 years post-discharge. The objectives were: to describe the overall quality of life of stroke survivors; to examine the relationships between sociodemographic variables, neurological variables, functional status, social support, perceived health status, depression, and overall QOL; and to determine the best predictors of QOL. Data were collected on 50 stroke survivors using a cross-sectional design and standardized questionnaires, including the Quality of Life Index, the Functional Independence Measure, the Social Support Inventory for Stroke Survivors and the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. The overall quality of life of the study participants was low. The most important predictors of QOL were depression, marital status, quality of social support, and functional status. Depression was the strongest predictor of QOL. By employing a multi-dimensional perspective, this study confirmed that adaptation to stroke involves much more than physical function. Thus, rehabilitation programs for this group would be more effective if they are based upon a holistic approach.     

A pilot programme evaluation of social farming horticultural and occupational activities for older people in Italy

The aim of this study was to evaluate a 1‐year social farming programme conducted between 2014 and 2015, including horticultural and occupational activities on six agricultural farms for older people in good general health. Social farming is a practice that uses agricultural resources to provide health, social or educational services to vulnerable groups of people. Activity participation, social relationships, physical activity, and the quality of life of the participants were assessed using a pretest, posttest design. A total of 112 subjects were interviewed at baseline, though only 73 participants were retained through the end of the follow‐up, resulting in a dropout rate of 34%. Data analysis revealed significant improvements in both social relationships and overall occupational engagement at the end of the programme, with significant increases in the frequency of contact with friends or relatives as well as the number of activities performed by the participants. This work adds to the literature on the effects of social farming and indicates that farming may provide opportunities for older people to engage in activities that stimulate social behaviours.     

MHD患者社会支持和反刍性沉思对创伤后成长影响的路径分析

目的 探讨社会支持和反刍性沉思对维持性血液透析（MHD）患者创伤后成长（PTG）的影响路径及关系效应。方法 采用创伤后成长评定量表（PTGI）、社会支持评定量表（SSRS）和事件相关反刍性沉思问卷（ERRI）,对120例MHD患者进行调查。路径分析采用Amos7.0软件进行。结果 患者PTG、社会支持和反刍性沉思总分分别为（62.78±13.21）、（37.38±9.67）和（26.67±11.09）分;上述3个变量间存在相关性（r = 0.454～0.698,P＜0.05）。社会支持对PTG有直接正效应,并通过目的性反刍性沉思对PTG产生间接影响,总效应值为1.3。目的性反刍性沉思对PTG有直接正效应,也是社会支持与PTG的中介变量,总效应值为0.92。结论 MHD患者PTG、社会支持和反刍性沉思水平均有待提升。PTG受到社会支持和目的性反刍性沉思的直接或间接影响。护士可从各环节制定心理干预策略提升PTG水平。