Structural and functional social support in elderly objective and subjective health ratings

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate the causes that explain the discrepancies between the effects of social relationships on health and wellness of the elderly people. Several disciplines of health sciences have developed different theories to explain the evidence that confirm the positive effects of social relations. Furthermore, there is acumuative evidence confirming most of the predictions derived from its principles. However, the empirical evidence has not always confirmed these beneficial relationships and sometimes these evidences contradict some of the theoretical predictions. Even, it is not difficult to find reversed effects. In this paper we follow some of the approaches developed from Social Psychology which analyze the different effects of social relationships on the health of older people. Two types of aspects of social relations have served to this purpose. First, the structural aspects (i.e., frequency of intercourse). Second, qualitative-functional aspects of great tradition in estudies of quality of life and wellbeing of older people (i.e. social support). Following the Convoy Model, we measured perceived social support and frecuency of relationships in 168 spaniards, men and women (aged 62 years old and more). We analyze these discrepancies in the light of the underlying mechanisms.

Medical outcomes study social support survey (MOS-SSS) in patients with chronic disease: A psychometric assessment

“…Another study conducted in older adults suggested that having few social support networks could be a risk factor for reduced physical functioning, which was linked to dependence in at least one of the ADLs and instrumental ADLs ( 39 ). However, other studies have reported that supportive behaviors do not have a positive effect on well-being ( 40 ) or may even be detrimental to the recipient ( 41 ) or the provider ( 42 ).…”

“…2022.1028342 to dependence in at least one of the ADLs and instrumental ADLs (39). However, other studies have reported that supportive behaviors do not have a positive effect on well-being (40) or may even be detrimental to the recipient (41) or the provider (42).…”

Integrating social support into interventions among the elderly in nursing homes: a scoping review

“…On the other hand, social support could also have a negative impact as a significant source of stress as feelings of indebtedness or guilt can occur 27 31. It is noteworthy that specific dimensions of supportive function referring to both quantitative and qualitative aspects depict beneficial roles on health being a personal resource in various stressful life events 31. Veiel pointed out that the types of available support should be included in a social support assessment 32.…”

Integrating social support into interventions among the elderly in nursing homes: a scoping review protocol

“…Social support could also negatively impacts as a significant source of stress for unhealthy behaviours such as feeling of indebtedness or guilt to the support receivers 27 31. It is noteworthy that specific dimensions of supportive function referring to both of quantitative and qualitative aspects depict beneficial roles on health as personal resources in different stress life events 31. Veiel pointed out that types of available support should be included in the social support assessment 32.…”