Informal Helping in Partner and Stranger Dyads

Barker, Chris; Lemle, Russell

doi:10.2307/352199

Cited by 35 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…These findings add further evidence to studies suggesting that the helping relationship with the partner can be problematic (Barker and Lemle, 1987;Coyne et al, 1990). It is difficult to know whether the difficulties are due to miscarried helping efforts by the helper, as Coyne et al (1990) suggest, or whether the women themselves contribute to the problems by holding back from their partner in an effort to protect him.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

“…Respondents answered on a 6-point scale ranging from 'very unhelpful' to 'very helpful'. This global index of helpfulness has been used in previous studies of informal helping and counselling (Elliott et al, 1982;Barker and Lemle, 1987).…”

Section: Most Important Helpermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although the partner is often the first line of defence when dealing with emotional concerns, there is evidence that the helping relationship with the partner may not be smooth sailing (Barker and Lemle, 1987;Coyne et al, 1990). For example, in the study by Coyne et al of myocardial infarction patients, the spouses themselves were distressed by the illness, and their efforts to help therefore became confused with efforts to reduce their own distress.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Disclosure of concerns in breast cancer

Pistrang

Barker

1992

Psycho-Oncology

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This study examined recently diagnosed breast cancer patients' 'helping relationships', that is, whom they turned to for emotional support and what was the nature of these interactions. We conceptualized the key elements of helping relationships in terms of two communication variables: self-disclosure and empathy. The study aimed to systematically assess women's levels of concerns about various aspects of breast cancer, to whom they disclosed these concerns, and differences in their communication patterns with different helpers. Women were most concerned about the uncertainty of recurrence of cancer and the effect of their illness on people close to them. They identified informal helpers (in particular, partners, close female relatives and female friends), rather than formal helpers, as the most important person to whom they confided. Communication with partners was more problematic than communication with relatives and friends: the largest difference was in perceived empathy, indicating that women felt less understood by their partners. The results were discussed in relation to the helpseeking and social support literatures.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

Section: Most Important Helpermentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Disclosure of concerns in breast cancer

Pistrang

Barker

1992

Psycho-Oncology

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“…Furthermore, the findings on help-seeking patterns point strongly to the need for directing research and resources beyond traditional clinical interventions, as most people bring their problems to informal, rather than professional helpers. As has been previously argued (Barker & Lemle, 1987), there is a need for further research into the structure, function and chronological unfolding of informal helping in close relationships. Future work is also needed to look at the feasibility of designing effective programmes to facilitate and improve the help that informal helpers provide.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Coping and help‐seeking in the UK adult population

Barker¹,

Pistrang²,

Shapiro

et al. 1990

British J Clinic Psychol

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A large national sample of the UK adult population was surveyed to find out how respondents would cope and whom they would turn to for help if they experienced psychological problems. Overall, the most frequently endorsed coping methods were cognitive or behavioural rather than avoidance- or substance-based. Respondents tended to endorse informal rather than formal helpers, especially partners and close relatives, although the family doctor was given greater endorsement than in corresponding US studies. Individual differences in coping and help seeking were examined with respect to demographic variables and level of reported psychological symptoms. Respondents who reported higher levels of symptoms tended to endorse more coping methods, especially avoidance methods, and to show greater readiness to seek help. The implications of the findings for traditional clinical work and for mental health education and promotion are discussed.

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“…Neither approach is very informative with respect to how someone interacts with known others, which may at least partly explain why none of the studies made predictions about the extent to which the observed role of serotonin in regulating behavior may generalize to real life. There are important differences between interactions with a stranger, friend, or romantic partner (Barker & Lemle, 1987;Rook, Pietromonaco, & Lewis, 1994;Tice et al, 1995). This is particularly relevant when studying psychiatric patients.…”

Section: Observer Ratings Of Social Behavior: Often In Artificial Setmentioning

confidence: 97%

Studying the neurobiology of human social interaction: Making the case for ecological validity

Hogenelst

Schoevers

Rot

2015

Social Neuroscience

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With this commentary we make the case for an increased focus on the ecological validity of the measures used to assess aspects of human social functioning. Impairments in social functioning are seen in many types of psychopathology, negatively affecting the lives of psychiatric patients and those around them. Yet the neurobiology underlying abnormal social interaction remains unclear. As an example of human social neuroscience research with relevance to biological psychiatry and clinical psychopharmacology, this commentary discusses published experimental studies involving manipulation of the human brain serotonin system that included assessments of social behavior. To date, these studies have mostly been laboratory-based and included computer tasks, observations by others, or single-administration self-report measures. Most laboratory measures used so far inform about the role of serotonin in aspects of social interaction, but the relevance for real-life interaction is often unclear. Few studies have used naturalistic assessments in real life. We suggest several laboratory methods with high ecological validity as well as ecological momentary assessment, which involves intensive repeated measures in naturalistic settings. In sum, this commentary intends to stimulate experimental research on the neurobiology of human social interaction as it occurs in real life.

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Informal Helping in Partner and Stranger Dyads

Cited by 35 publications

References 19 publications

Disclosure of concerns in breast cancer

Disclosure of concerns in breast cancer

Coping and help‐seeking in the UK adult population

Studying the neurobiology of human social interaction: Making the case for ecological validity

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