Association of social support with gratitude and sense of coherence in Japanese young women: a cross-sectional study

Factors Influencing Social Isolation among Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review

(1) Background: Social isolation, which has numerous adverse effects on health status, is prevalent among cancer patients. This review proposes to identify the influencing factors of social isolation among cancer patients. (2) Methods: Articles published in English or Chinese from six electronic databases before December 2023 were identified via a systematic search. A manual search was also performed. (3) Results: Twenty-eight studies were identified in this systematic review. The factors associated with social isolation can be summarized into the following categories: demographic characteristics, having cancer, health status, coping, social support and social interaction. Despite the heterogeneity, 20 factors were significantly associated with social isolation, including age, gender, comorbidity burden, education level, residence, medical insurance, occupation status, personality, race, smoking status, having children, not living alone, household income level, marital status, the role of primary caregiver, physical health status, mental health status, social health status, coping styles, and the level of social support and social interaction. (4) Conclusions: The systematic review showed that cancer patients' social isolation was influenced by their demographic characteristics, cancer-related factors, physical condition, psychological status, social health status, coping styles, and level of social support and social interaction. In addition, future group intervention could be considered to improve social isolation.

Analysis of trajectory changes and predictive factors of sense of coherence in patients after colorectal cancer surgery

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the trajectories and potential categories of changes in the sense of coherence (SOC) in patients after colorectal cancer surgery and to analyze predictive factors.

METHODS

From January to July 2023, 175 patients with colorectal cancer treated at a tertiary Grade A oncology hospital in Jiangsu Province were selected as the study subjects. Prior to surgery, SOC-13 scale, Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA), Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), and Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) were used to survey the patients. SOC levels were measured multiple times at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months post-surgery. Growth Mixture Modeling (GMM) was applied to fit the trajectory changes of SOC in patients after colorectal cancer surgery. Multinomial logistic regression was used to analyze the predictive factors of SOC trajectory changes.

RESULTS

The SOC scores of patients at points T1-T4 were (65.27 ± 9.20), (63.65 ± 10.41), (63.85 ± 11.84), and (61.56 ± 12.65), respectively. Multinomial logistic regression results indicated that gender, employment status, disease stage, household monthly income, intestinal stoma, nutritional status, illness perception, and social support were predictors of SOC trajectory changes (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

There is heterogeneity in the trajectory changes of SOC in patients after colorectal cancer surgery. Healthcare professionals should implement early precision interventions based on the patterns of changes and predictive factors in each trajectory category.

The effect of self-disclosure on loneliness among patients with coronary heart disease: The chain mediating effect of social support and sense of coherence

BACKGROUND

Loneliness is prevalent in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). It has a serious impact on the physical and mental health and the quality of life of patients with CHD. However, what factors contribute to loneliness and the mechanism of action still need to be explored.

OBJECTIVES

To explore the chain mediating effect among self-disclosure, social support, sense of coherence and loneliness in patients with CHD through a chain mediating model.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 248 patients with CHD from three tertiary hospitals in Shiyan, Hubei Province, China. Self-reported scales were used to assess feelings of loneliness, self-disclosure, social support and sense of coherence. The Amos 26.0 software was used to construct the chain mediating effect.

RESULTS

Self-disclosure cannot directly affect patients' loneliness (β = -0.60, P>0.05). Social support and sense of coherence play a significant complete mediating role between self-disclosure and loneliness, with an overall mediating effect value of -0.479.

CONCLUSION

Self-disclosure in CHD patients indirectly affect loneliness through social support and sense of coherence (β = -0.479, P = 0.001). Improving patient self-disclosure and modulation of social support and sense of coherence help reduce in loneliness.

Sense of coherence mediates perceived social support and depressive and anxiety symptoms in cervical cancer patients: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Depression and anxiety symptoms are two common psychological disturbances in cervical cancer patients. We tested whether sense of coherence (SOC) mediates the association of perceived social support (PSS) with depression and anxiety symptoms among cervical cancer patients in China.

METHODS

We conducted a survey involving 294 cervical cancer patients aged ≥ 18 years from July to December 2020 at three hospitals in Liaoning Province, China; 269 patients completed the survey. We included a demographic questionnaire, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Antonovsky's Sense of Coherence Scale, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) in this study. We used hierarchical regression analysis to examine the relationship among PSS, SOC, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. We used asymptotic and resampling strategies to explore the mediating effect of SOC.

RESULTS

PSS was negatively associated with depressive symptoms (r = - 0.439, P < 0.01) and anxiety symptoms (r = - 0.325, P < 0.01). SOC was negatively related to depressive symptoms (r = - 0.627, P < 0.01) and anxiety symptoms (r = - 0.411, P < 0.01). SOC partially mediated the association between PSS and depressive symptoms (a*b = - 0.23, BCa95% CI: [- 0.31, - 0.14]) and anxiety symptoms (a*b = - 0.15, BCa95% CI: [- 0.23, - 0.08]). The proportions of the mediating effect accounting for SOC were 49.78% and 41.73% for depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The study showed that SOC could mediate the association between PSS and symptoms of depression and anxiety. This suggests that SOC might serve as a potential target for intervention in symptoms of depression and anxiety that accompany cervical cancer.

Sense of coherence and its context with demographics, psychological aspects, lifestyle, complementary and alternative medicine and lay aetiology

PURPOSE

For patients with a cancer diagnosis, coping abilities are of high importance. Cancer patients with a high sense of coherence may cope better. The purpose of this study is to learn more about the correlation of sense of coherence and different aspects, such as demographics, psychological factors, lifestyle, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and lay aetiology.

METHODS

A prospective cross-sectional study was performed in ten cancer centres in Germany. The questionnaire consisted of ten sub-items, collecting information about sense of coherence, demographics, general life satisfaction, resilience, spirituality, self-efficacy, physical activity and sports, nutrition, CAM methods and cancer causes.

RESULTS

As many as 349 participants were evaluable. The mean sense of coherence score was M = 47.30. Significant associations were shown for sense of coherence and financial situation (r = 0.230, p < 0.001), level of education (r = 0.187, p < 0.001), marital status (η = 0.177, p = 0.026) and time interval since diagnosis (r = - 0.109, p = 0.045). Sense of coherence and resilience correlated on a high level, as well as spirituality, self-efficacy and general life satisfaction (r = 0.563, r = 0.432, r = 0.461, r = 0.306, p's < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Several aspects, such as demographics and psychological factors, have a great influence on the sense of coherence. To help patients to cope better, physicians should try to strengthen sense of coherence, resilience and self-efficacy and, at the same time, consider patients' individual background such as level of education, financial capacity and emotional support by family members.

Generate Greater Gratitude When Being Help? A Study of the Psychological Mechanism of Gratitude for Chinese Poor College Students

The Chinese government has invested much money to help poor college students complete their studies, but the gratitude of the recipients remains to be further studied. This study proposed a parallel mediation model and used questionnaires to investigate 260 thousand college students of China to examine the impact of the level of social support on poor college students' gratitude and the mediating role played by social responsibility and relative deprivation. The results showed that social support positively predicted the gratitude level of poor college students; social responsibility and relative deprivation mediated the relationship between social support and gratitude; gender, school type and difficulty level had a significant influence on gratitude level. In short, education to improve the sense of gratitude of poor college students can be summarized as "two increases and one decrease": increase social support, enhance social responsibility, and reduce relative deprivation.

Exploring the relationship between gratitude and depression among older adults with chronic low back pain: a sequential mediation analysis

Introduction

Gratitude has been identified as a key factor in a number of positive health-related outcomes; however, the mechanisms whereby gratitude is associated with well-being among older adults with chronic pain are poorly understood. Using the Positive Psychological Well-Being Model as a theoretical framework, the objective of the present study was to examine the serial mediating effects of social support, stress, sleep, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) on the relationship between gratitude and depressive symptoms.

Methods

A total sample of 60 community-dwelling older adults with chronic low back pain (cLBP) provided blood samples for high-sensitivity TNF-α and completed the Gratitude Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale, and the PROMIS Emotional Support, Sleep Disturbance, and Depression forms. Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and serial mediation analyses were performed.

Results

Gratitude was negatively associated with perceived stress, sleep disturbance, and depression, and was positively associated with social support. No significant association was observed between gratitude and TNF-α. After controlling for age and marital status, analyses revealed that perceived stress and sleep disturbance sequentially mediated the association between gratitude and depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

Perceived stress and sleep disturbance may be potential mechanistic pathways by which gratitude impacts negative well-being. Targeting gratitude as a protective resource may be a potential therapeutic tool to improve psychological and behavioral outcomes in older adults with cLBP.

Optimism and subjective well-being in nursing home older adults: The mediating roles of gratitude and social support

OBJECTIVES

To examine the level of subjective well-being (SWB) and the mediating roles of gratitude and social support in the relationship between optimism and SWB amongst older Chinese people in nursing homes.

METHODS

A total of 354 older adults in Chinese nursing homes completed the World Health Organization's well-being index, Life Orientation Test-Revised, Gratitude Questionnaire-Six-Item Form, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the relationships between optimism, gratitude, social support and SWB.

RESULTS

The mean SWB score of the older people was (63.14 ±15.31), with 21.0% of subjects reporting low SWB. Gratitude and social support in serial partially mediated the relationship of optimism with SWB (total indirect effect: Standardized β = 0.157, 95% CI [0.109,0.216], p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

These findings provide good evidence for the inter-relationship mechanism amongst the protective factors of SWB, suggesting the need to prioritize positive psychological nursing interventions to promote SWB in older people in residential care.

Small business managers and Covid-19-The role of a sense of coherence and general resistance resources in coping with stressors

BACKGROUND

The response of small business managers to an external event such as the pandemic can have a profound effect on the work environment, health and well-being for themselves and their employees. Previous research on small business managers during the pandemic has mainly focused on traditional pathogenic effects, and there is a lack of studies looking at the issue from a salutogenic health promotion perspective. The aim of this study is to explore whether a sense of coherence and general resistance resources were experienced by small business managers in Sweden and Norway during the Covid-19 pandemic.

METHODS

A qualitative design was applied through exploratory interviews with 16 managers of small businesses in Sweden and Norway. A content analysis of the interviews was conducted using the sense of coherence concept by Aaron Antonovsky, with the three main components of comprehensibility, meaningfulness and manageability acting as a conceptual framework for the analysis process.

RESULTS

Within the three main sense-of-coherence categories, six general resistance resources were identified as being important for the managers to handle uncertainty during the pandemic. These were understanding rules and regulations, social support, optimism, proactivity, problem-solving and flexibility and cooperation.

CONCLUSIONS

The small business managers handled the pandemic in a way that worked well in their contexts, and the pandemic generally did not have a negative effect on their businesses or themselves. A salutogenic approach, through which the managers focused on identifying and using resources, was an important factor for managing stressors and adversity during the pandemic. Hence, the concept of salutogenesis may be used as an intervention to foster better health in small businesses, both at a personal and organisational level in order to handle future challenges effectively.

Predictors of Perceived Family Sense of Coherence in Parents of Children with Cancer

Objectives:

Despite improvement in childhood cancer survival in recent decades, it is still an extremely challenging health condition for parents. The impacts of childhood cancer on the family as a whole are recently interested by researchers. Family coherence is one of these concepts and health-care providers need to understand the perception of parents of family coherence. This study aimed to assess the correlation between perceived family sense of coherence (SOC) in parents of children with cancer; with socio-demographic, psycho-emotional and family-related variables.

Materials and Methods:

This cross-sectional correlational study recruited 125 parents of children with cancer attending hospitals in Tehran in 2020, selected by convenience sampling method. The correlation between family SOC and demographic variables, chronic sorrow, coping behaviours, family functioning and social support was investigated using regression analysis.

Results:

The mean score perceived sense of family coherence in parents of children with cancer was higher in fathers (Beta = 0.17, P = 0.02), urban residents (beta = –0.2, P = 0.01) and homeowners (beta = –0.27, P = 0.001). The sense of family coherence had positive correlations with income grade (beta = 0.27, P = 0.006), coping behaviours (beta = 1.28, P = 0.002), social support (beta = 0.67, P = 0.001), negative correlations with the disturbance in family problem-solving (beta = –0.28, P = 0.006) and chronic sorrow (beta=-0.39, P = 0.001).

Conclusion:

The present study expanded the concept of family SOC in nursing knowledge and attracted the attention of the providers of family-centred care to the parents of children with cancer and their concerns, which directly and indirectly affect the entire family’s health.

Do Social Ties Moderate the Association between Childhood Maltreatment and Gratitude in Older Adults? Results from the NEIGE Study

Background: Childhood maltreatment can impede gratitude, yet little is known about the older population and its moderators. The aim of this study is to clarify the association between childhood maltreatment and levels of gratitude of the older population, and the moderating effect of social ties on the association. Methods: We analyzed the data of 524 community-dwelling older adults aged 65–84 years without functional disabilities in Tokamachi City, Niigata, Japan, collected for the Neuron to Environmental Impact across Generations (NEIGE) study in 2017. Using a questionnaire, the participants rated three types of childhood maltreatment before the age of 18 (physical abuse, emotional neglect, and psychological abuse), level of gratitude, and social ties. Results: We found an inverse association between emotional neglect and gratitude. Furthermore, emotional neglect was inversely associated with gratitude only for those with lower levels of social ties. Conclusions: Promoting social ties may mitigate the adverse impact of emotional neglect on the level of gratitude.

Can social support enhance sense of coherence and perceived professional benefits among Chinese registered nurses? A mediation model

AIM

To investigate the mediation role of social support in the relationship between a sense of coherence and the perception of professional interests among Chinese registered nurses.

BACKGROUND

Job burnout is become exceedingly common among registered nurses. Perceived professional benefits and a sense of coherence can help regulate nurses' negative emotions, reduce job burnout and turnover intention and increase nurses' subjective well-being. However, little is known about the mediating effect of social support on sense of coherence and perceived professional benefits.

METHODS

From May to August 2017, data from 765 Chinese registered nurses were collected from a 4-part questionnaire: general information, the sense of coherence scale, social support rating scale and perceived professional benefits questionnaire. The independent factors of perceived professional benefits were tested by multiple regression analysis. Structural equation model was used to study the moderating effect of social support.

RESULTS

The mean perceived professional benefits score differed across professional title (p < .001). Social support mediated 58% of the relationships between a sense of coherence and perceived professional benefits.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, our study revealed that social support partially mediates the relationship between a sense of coherence and perceived professional benefits among Chinese registered nurses. Therefore, interventions based on social support to enhance the sense of coherence and to strengthen nurses' perceived professional benefits should be developed.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

Nursing managers should create more learning opportunities to improve nurses' abilities in clinical nursing and the social support of nurses through many ways, so as to enhance nurses' sense of coherence and nurses' perceived professional benefits.

Network Support Using Social Networking Services to Increase Exercise Adherence Among Korean-Chinese Middle-Aged Migrant Women: Mixed Methods Study

Background

Social networking services (SNSs) are recognized to be a promising approach to easily deliver health interventions and to enhance social support for exercise adherence. However, the patterns and aspects of social support through SNSs have not been reported and their influence on other social-cognitive factors remains inconclusive.

Objective

Our objective is to explore how social support delivered through SNSs impacts interactions among Korean-Chinese (KC) middle-aged women and to identify how this approach influences social-cognitive factors for exercise (eg, sense of community, self-efficacy for exercise, and social support for exercise).

Methods

A mixed methods design was used. Text analysis of SNS messages and text mining using the Korean Natural Language Application (KoALA) were conducted. Social-cognitive factors (eg, sense of community, self-efficacy for exercise, and social support for exercise) were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks using a structured questionnaire. A comparison of social-cognitive factors at baseline and at 12 weeks was conducted to identify any potential significant changes, using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Results

A total of 259 SNS messages were collected from 24 KC women, distributed among four chat groups, who participated in a 12-week walking intervention program between August and October 2018. The individual average frequency of chatting via the SNS was 10.79 (range 0-34) and the most frequent type of social support through the SNS was network support (172/259, 66.4%). The most common words extracted from the SNS were Health, Exercise, Participation, and We. Overall, the perceived levels of sense of community (P<.001) and social support for exercise (P=.002) were significantly increased at 12 weeks compared with baseline. Group 1 (P=.03) and Group 4 (P=.03), whose members demonstrated the highest frequency of network support, experienced a significant increase only in the level of sense of community.

Conclusions

By integrating these data and conducting a mixed methods analysis, we observed that among the types of social support, network support was a key point for the promotion of social-cognitive factors in increasing exercise adherence. Therefore, network support through SNS-based interventions should be considered as a useful strategy to help vulnerable migrant populations make changes to exercise behaviors.

Validation of the Mediation Effect Between Cross-Cultural Management and Employee Identification

Purpose

Corporate culture faces a variety of cross-cultural challenges across the globe. Every culture retains and maintains different norms and customs, which are totally unique and different from other cultures. Consequently, employees from different cultures often experience various cross-cultural issues and challenges while working in transnational organizations where employees are needed to understand how people from diverse cultures must work together.

Patients and Methods

The study used mixed research methodology for meeting the paper goals. Both positivism and phenomenology look relevant in a sense that they individually and collectively satisfy the paper objectives. To test mediation and moderation, the authors have used various hypotheses through collecting the sample size of 600 out of 6000 employees working for an Asian group encompassing more than 200 companies. Moderation and mediation strategic management research methods were used with the American Industrial Group in Asia as the setup of the study. Hypotheses were tested on effects of new corporate culture-based learning on the perception of social norms, learning attitude, self-efficacy, and social values. Additional hypotheses were also tested on the effects of perception of social norms, learning attitude, self-efficacy, social values, and psychological control on change intention.

Results

Perceived social norms directly affect the willingness to change as they have been used as mediating variables. Therefore, social norms affect corporate norms.

Conclusion

The paper shows how mediation and moderation are understood and applied through understanding the relationship between local culture and corporate culture. The findings reveal how local culture affects corporate culture. However, there are certain limitations of the study; this includes that the study scope has mostly focused on an Asian context, therefore, it may not be applicable to other continents.