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Social Support William R. Brieger, MPH, CHES, DrPH Johns Hopkins University
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Section A Definitions and Theories
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Social Support Ù “Social support is a feedback provided via contact with similar and valued peers” —Gottlieb, 1985 Ù Emotional: Affect, esteem, concern Ù Instrumental: Aid in labor, money, time Ù Informational: Suggestions, advice, information Ù Appraisal: Feedback, affirmation Continued
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Social Support Ù Support systems “help the individual mobilize his psychological resources and master his psychological, emotional burdens; they share his tasks; and they supply him with extra supplies of money, materials, tools, skills, and cognitive guidance to improve his handling of his situation.” — Caplan, 1974 Continued
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Social Support Ù Social support: “Feedback from a primary group that is health protective, during times of stress” — Cassel, 1976
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Links Between Behavior Models and Social Network Theory Ù Health belief model – Cues to action: Other people provide information, encouragement to undertake, or refrain from recommended actions – Modifying factors: Membership in social groups provides context for beliefs and perceptions Continued
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Links Between Behavior Models and Social Network Theory Ù Social learning theory – The (social) environment: The social environment is the context in which people observe new behavior and evaluate the implications directly or vicariously of new behavior
Continued
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Links Between Behavior Models and Social Network Theory Ù Ecological model – Interpersonal level: Group membership provides a context in which behavior can be encouraged or discouraged and a means for interpreting acceptable behavior
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More Links Ù PRECEDE – Reinforcing factors: Attitudes/behaviors of significant others that encourage or dissuade action
Continued
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More Links Ù Theory of reasoned action – External factors: Attitudes toward reference groups – Subjective perceptions of norms: This component is especially relevant to appraisal and feedback types of social support
Continued
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More Links Ù Diffusion theory – Characteristics of change agent: Homophilous communication within primary groups and channels of communication—that is, better communication and information flow within groups that share common characteristics 11
Social Support Mediates Between Individual and Environment
Support Score
Social Support and ANC Registration in Moniya, Nigeria 25 20 15
19.7
21.3
21.5
3rd
2nd
1st
15.8
10 5 0 Not Reg
Trimester
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A Social Network Ù “A specific set of linkages among a defined set of persons, with the additional property that the characteristics of these linkages as a whole can be used to interpret the social behavior of the persons involved” — Mitchell, 1980
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Section B Relationships and Structures
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Relationships and Structures John Scott
Ù Relational data are central to the principle concerns of the sociological tradition, with its emphasis on the structure of social action Ù Structures are built through relationships, and the structural concerns of sociology can be pursued through the collection and analysis of relational data Continued
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Relationships and Structures John Scott
Ù Social network concepts originally derived from textile metaphors of social fabric, web, interweaving, and interlocking
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Social networks are units of identity (Wearing Egbe with stripes) 17
Wearing the same cloth at a Yoruba ceremony is a means of establishing social identity 18
Groups provide support: Emotional, material, informational, and feedback
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Networks are often informal, built from daily interactions— such as working together,
Continued
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Selling goods
Continued
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Cooking for ceremonies Continued
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Relaxing after a day’s work 23
Providing instrumental support, like helping roof a house, is a key social network function Continued
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And while the men put on the roof, women prepare a meal for all
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Members of a social network provide emotional support during difficult times
Continued
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The household, in its various forms, is a basic social network 27
Married Couples Need Social Support Ù Marriages may be arranged or negotiated so that there is a commitment between families Ù Both families try to make the marriage work and solve problems/conflicts Ù In arranged marriages, partners know the importance of compromise Ù The marriage is seen as a productive unit 28
A married couple
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The Household Economy Ù Ù Ù Ù
Income, accessing external resources Allocation and expenditure Decision making and bargaining Productive activities inside the household Ù Individual member health status as a result of the above processes
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Formal networks often form around economic interests: A beauticians’ society at a town celebration
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Traders from neighboring villages form an association that sets prices and oversees sales; if one member is sick, another can take his or her crops to market for sale
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The yam sellers meet together to set prices and review quality; these groups also get together for social occasions, such as celebrating when one of their members has a naming ceremony or has a child who gets his “freedom” from apprenticeship
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In the sixth century, Mayan astronomers held conferences to decide about leap year and other professional matters 34
