Families as support and burden: A mixed methods exploration of the extent to which family identification and support predicts reductions in stress among disadvantaged neighbourhood residents

Abstract

Stronger family relationships predict positive health outcomes: a relationship that is partially due to the range of emotional, practical and informational support that families can provide. Yet not all families possess these resources. A survey study in a disadvantaged community in Nottingham, UK ( N = 142) demonstrated that family identification positively predicts ability to cope with financial stress, but that this relationship is moderated by whether family support is present or absent. Semi-structured interviews with 10 members of different families from the same community shed further light upon the nature of this relationship: individuals report that they tend to turn to their family rather than friends or community services in times of financial hardship, even though their family are unlikely to be able to support them effectively, and that this is often due to feelings of embarrassment or finance-related stigma. Our findings highlight the complex role that families can play in finance-related issues, as well as the need to encourage individuals to seek financial support from sources which provide effective (rather than emotionally comfortable) assistance.

Social group membership and biomarkers of health

“…The social curse, a term coined by Kellezi and Reicher (2012), describes how social identities can negatively influence health and well-being. This could occur where membership of a group was undermined, and perceived social support from fellow group members was lower, which in turn led to poorer well-being (Kellezi & Reicher, 2012), or where there is an absence of shared identification damaging group relations (Stevenson et al, 2021). Of course, it is always possible that group memberships can elicit a damaging cardiovascular response to stress, however, the observed adaptation effect from the speech to maths task, lends itself to understanding how group memberships might be linked to better physiological outcomes; pointing to support for the "social cure" argument.…”

Heeding emotions or seeking challenges? Family support processes cultivate consumers' emotion‐ and problem‐focused support‐seeking

“…Families play a fundamental role as a source of social support. Although some families are more supportive than others, they are “arguably the most critical for individuals' resilience to life stress” (e.g., Stevenson et al, 2022, p. 889). Families are part of a primary social group of “spouses, friends, and family members who provide psychological and material resources” (Cohen & Wills, 1985, p. 310) that are “often instrumental, obligatory, and available whenever it is needed” (Rogers, 1996, p. 328).…”

“…Social support can take many forms, whether emotional support, companionship, physical assistance, feedback, guidance, or even material aid (Rosenbaum, 2008; Rosenbaum et al, 2007). This means that support‐seeking through businesses is linked to the social support of consumers' families, identified as a key coping resource in times of stress (e.g., Stevenson et al, 2022; Terry, 1991). However, little research examines this connection.…”