Social support...gosh, I guess I should invite my family over more often...

Social support is an integral part of the biopsychosocial model and a key component to understanding how physiologically individuals respond differently to stress (Brannon & Feist, 2004). This support can act as a buffer for the patient to the day to day challenges and psychological coping that takes place when a patient suffers from chronic illnesses as well as playing a role in helping the patient manage their affective responses to the illness (Cox, Roberts, Shannon, & Wells, 1994). Social support often takes place in the form of leisurely activities and therefore social leisure helps relieve the stress that may be experienced by a person who is suffering an illness (Coleman, Seppo, & Iso-Ahola, 1993).

Individuals who experience psychosocial stresses related to illness often retreat away from society and this has shown to have a relationship to the onset of depression and poor psychological coping skills (Bozzette, Collins, Crystal, Fleishman, Hays, Kelly, Marshall, Shapiro, & Sherbourne, 2000). Depression and isolation have also shown to decrease or lengthen the time to recovery from illness; therefore depression related to a lack of a social network is an effect that health psychologists want patients to avoid (Brannon & Feist, 2004). Additionally, positive social support in the form of positive emotional support (versus educational or informational support) about the illness has proven to reduce depressive symptoms in patients as they are influenced (be it subconsciously or consciously) in how they perceive their illness from their peers and the emotional support they receive (Ali & Toner, 1996). An example of this type of relationship between health and social support has been seen specifically in HIV patients as the perception of the disease has changed socially since its onset (Bozzette, Collins, Crystal, Fleishman, Hays, Kelly, Marshall, Shapiro, & Sherbourne, 2000).

Here is some reading material for the family get together…

Ali, A., & Toner, B. B. (1996). Gender Differences in Depressive Response: The Role of Social Support. Sex Roles: A Journal of Research, 35(5-6), 281+.

Coleman, D., & Iso-Ahola, S. E. (1993). Leisure and Health: The Role of Social Support and Self-Determination. Journal of Leisure Research, 25(2), 111+. Retrieved April 4, 2007, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5000177026

Fleishman, J. A., Sherbourne, C. D., Crystal, S., Collins, R. L., Marshall, G. N., Kelly, M., et al. (2000). Coping, Conflictual Social Interactions Social Support, and Mood among HIV-Infected Persons [1]. American Journal of Community Psychology, 28(4), 421. Retrieved April 4, 2007, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5001075077

Roberts, C. S., Cox, C. E., Shannon, V. J., & Wells, N. L. (1994). A Closer Look at Social Support as a Moderator of Stress in Breast Cancer. Health and Social Work, 19(3), 157+. Retrieved April 4, 2007, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5001663389

Comments

[tiffany1837jewelry]

tiffany1837jewelry
tiffany1837co
tiffany jewellery
tiffany1837online
t925silvertiffany
iloveyou925