Social Support

Question 1

Differentiate between social support and social network

Answer 1

Social Network:
“The social network refers to the entire web of relationships with which the individual is involved either directly or indirectly; it includes all individuals with whom we have contact or exchange.” (Chappell et al., 2008, p. 302)

Social Support:
Interactions with laypersons (people with no professional upbringing in the topic/information that is being brought up) that “communicate information, esteem, aid and emotional help. These communications may improve copings, moderate the impact of stressors, and promote health and self-care.” (Stewart, 2000, p. 85)

Question 2

Describe the four functions of social support.

Answer 2

• Mutually supportive communication
• Positive interaction that gives person a sense of belonging and fosters self-esteem
• Sources emerge from social network
• Includes reciprocity, mutual support

Question 3

Describe the three main component of the framework for social support.

Answer 3

1) Structure:
Is who provides the support (Defined by the individual), such as family, friends, pets, ect.
2) Function:
- Affirmational (Confirmation of being valued, respected. Sense of belonging. Feedback and appraisal. - eg. friends, pets).
- Emotional (Reasurence, empathy, listen, encourage, caring - e.g. Partners, Family)
- Informational (Provides information. Have more knowledge/experience to deal with problems. Eg. Group members/Peers.
- Instrumental (Tangible help, Practical support, Repairing, providing resources. E.g. Family, friends)
3) Appraisal:
- Duration (Length of time of supportive relationship. Stability over time - may endure or dissipate. May decrease after initial response. Support Length -/=/- Support Depth. Helper may become helpee over time.
- Direction (Unidirectional/non-reciprocal, Bidirectional/reciprocal, Reciprocal benefits for both parties (health problems may limit reciprocity),
Interventions by friends, self-help groups typically involve reciprocity while family have long term commitment and less concern with reciprocity)
- Drawbacks (Provider: over-load, over-exposure to chronic & acute stress, over- protection, over-commitment.
Recipient: fears loss of support, advice that constrains, helplessness, may undermine self-esteem.
Limited reciprocity (one-way support).)
- Benefits (Helpful, timely, Matches the need, Psychological sense of support)

Question 4

Relationship between social support and health.

Answer 4

Helps maintain health and facilitates recovery:

i. Improves sense of well-being: improves emotional, physical, cognitive status.

ii. Decreases social loneliness and improves self-esteem.
iii. Decreases “burden” of chronic stressors. 

• Social support can reduce the impact of stressors.
• Helps with recovery.
• Social support influences coping abilities, and coping strategies influence support sought and received.
• Supportive persons can: Alter appraisal of stress, Sustain coping efforts, Influence choice of coping strategies.

Question 5

Describe the relationship between self-help groups and social support.

Answer 5

Self-Help Groups:
Mutual support – sharing experiences/problems with others with similar experiences
Sense of belonging – sharing common issues
Empowerment – gained knowledge, validation, role models
Help each other – kinship, reciprocity

Question 6

Impact on Health Behaviours

Answer 6

• Motivates, encourages (e.g. Wt loss)
• Provides information, advice
• Enables self-care and self-help
• Confidence