Social Relationships and Health

Question 1

Define ‘social relationships’.

Answer 1

There is no universally agreed definition.
- The degree to which individuals are interconnected and embedded in communities. - Berkman and Krishna (2014)

Question 2

What are the 3 aspects of social relationship?

Answer 2

• Structural
• Functional
• Quality

Question 3

What is the structural aspect of social relationships?

Answer 3

Number and type of people with whom a person interacts.

Question 4

What is the functional aspect of social relationships?

Answer 4

Purpose and nature of relationships.

Question 5

What is the quality aspect of social relationships?

Answer 5

Positive and negative aspects of relationships.

Question 6

What does social relationships at an individual level consist of?

Answer 6

• Social isolation
• Social support
• Social networks

Question 7

Explain the stress buffering model.

Answer 7

Suggests that social connections benefit health by providing psychological and material resources needed to cope with stress.

Question 8

Define social support.

Answer 8

A social network’s provision of psychological and material resources intended to benefit an individual’s ability to cope with stress.

Question 9

List the four types of social support.

Answer 9

• Emotional
• Instrumental
• Appraisal
• Informational

Question 10

Explain the main effects model.

Answer 10

Proposes social support to have a direct effect on outcomes irrespective of whether individuals are under high or low levels of stress.

Question 11

Define social networks.

Answer 11

The web of social ties that surround an individual and the characteristics of those ties.

Question 12

Define social integration.

Answer 12

Participation in a broad range of social relationships.

Question 13

What are the two components of social integration?

Answer 13

Behavioural and cognitive.

Question 14

Define social isolation.

Answer 14

A lack of social relationships and low levels of participation in social activities.

Question 15

Define loneliness.

Answer 15

A distressing feeling that accompanies the perception that one’s social needs are not being met by the quantity or especially the quality of one’s social relationships.

Question 16

What is the difference between social isolation and loneliness?

Answer 16

Social isolation can be objectively measured whereas loneliness is a subjective feeling.

Question 17

How does social isolation affect health?

Answer 17

Increases negative affect and a sense of alienation, loneliness, and stress while decreasing feelings of control and self-esteem. In turn, these negative psychological states could increase neuroendocrine and cardiovascular responses, suppress immune function, and interfere with performance of health behaviours.

Question 18

Define social cohesion.

Answer 18

The existence of mutual trust and respect between different sections of society.

Question 19

Why is social cohesion important?

Answer 19

It involves high levels of participation in communal activities and public affairs e.g. people looking out for each other bringing a sense of safety and belonging.

Question 20

Define social capital.

Answer 20

Resources that are accessed by individuals as a result of their membership of a network or a group.

Question 21

What are the two dimensions of social capital?

Answer 21

Cognitive and structural.

Question 22

What does the cognitive dimension of social capital include?

Answer 22

Norms, values, perceptions, attitudes, beliefs.

Question 23

What does the structural dimension of social capital include?

Answer 23

Network density, civic engagement, functioning of institutions.

Question 24

How do we measure the cognitive dimension of social capital?

Answer 24

Perceptions of trust, sharing, reciprocity, belonging.

Question 25

How do we measure the structural dimension of social capital?

Answer 25

Number of friends, frequency of contacts, membership in clubs and organisations.

Question 26

How does social capital affect health on an individual health?

Answer 26

• Resources accessed by individuals through their personal networks
• Similar to social support but also including weak ties

Question 27

How does social capital affect health on a community health?

Answer 27

• Social contagion
• Social norms / informal social control
• Collective efficacy

Question 28

Define collective efficacy.

Answer 28

The ability of members of a community to control the behaviour of individuals and groups in the community.

Question 29

Define social contagion.

Answer 29

The spread of an entity or influence between individuals in a population via interactions between agents.

Question 30

Give examples of social contagion.

Answer 30

Spreading riots or rumours.