Unit 06: Research in Health and Social Care

Project Title: The link between social support and psychological well-being in individuals with chronic illnesses

Prepared by: Brian Kingswood
Date: 30^th December 2022

Task 1 of 1

Introduction

Long-term health disorders, known as chronic illnesses, can significantly affect a person’s physiological, psychological, and social well-being. Living with a severe condition can be difficult and stressful, and it can result in detrimental psychological consequences, including depression, anxiety, and despair (Ravenson et al., 202).

An important component of reducing the detrimental effects of chronic illness on psychological health is social support, or the experience of receiving care, support, and assistance from others (Wendorf, 2015). Social support can help individuals suffering from chronic diseases feel less lonely and isolated by giving them a sense of connection, belonging, hope, and optimism.

The specific forms of social support that are most helpful for chronically ill individuals and the factors that influence how effective social support is at improving the mental health outcomes for people with chronic conditions are not sufficiently studied, despite the crucial role of social support in reducing the detrimental effects of chronic conditions on mental health.

The purpose of this project is to investigate the association between social support and outcomes for people with chronic illnesses. A mixed-methods research approach will be used for this project, combining a review of the available literature with interviews of people who have chronic illnesses and those who provide social support services. The study aims to determine the forms of social support that are most advantageous for people with chronic illnesses, as well as the variables that affect how well social support performs in enhancing mental health outcomes.

The results of this research will affect how we help those living with chronic conditions and the institutions that support them. The study will aid in the improvement of mental health outcomes for people with chronic illnesses by providing insights into the design and delivery of social support services by recognising the types of social support that are most effective and the variables that influence the impacts of different support.

Aims and objectives

The purpose of this research is to learn more about how social support affects the mental health of people who are living with chronic conditions.

The study’s particular aims are to:

• Recognise the various social supports offered to those who are living with chronic illnesses.
• Determine how social support affects the emotional well-being of those who live with chronic conditions.
• Determine what factors affect the accessibility and efficacy of social assistance for people with chronic illnesses.
• Identify ways in which social support for people with chronic illnesses might be enhanced, and make suggestions for how this can be done.

To accomplish these goals, the research will conduct in-depth interviews with people who have chronic illnesses and those who provide social support services, as well as a review of relevant literature. The study’s results will be utilised to better understand the mental health of people with chronic illnesses and to design interventions to address their unique needs.

Summary

The purpose of this study was to look at the link between social support and psychological health outcomes in those who have chronic conditions. A mixed-methods research approach was employed in the study, which included an analysis of the literature as well as interviews with people who have chronic illnesses and those who provide social support services.

A number of significant themes emerged from the analysis of the information gathered through the literature review and interview process, underscoring the significance of social support in reducing the detrimental effects of chronic illness on mental health outcomes. According to the findings, social support is crucial in assisting people with chronic illnesses to manage the difficulties and stress brought on by their ailment. Many participants reported that social support provided a sense of belonging, connection, hope, and optimism and helped to alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation.

The resulting data showed that the quality and intensity of social support are significant factors in relation to mental health outcomes. Participants who received high-quality social support, such as support from trusted friends and family members, reported better mental health outcomes than those who received lower-quality support, such as support from acquaintances or service providers. Similarly, participants who received more intense levels of social support, such as daily or weekly contact, reported better mental health outcomes than those who received less frequent or less intense support.

Furthermore, the findings demonstrated that stigma and coping resources might mediate the connection between social support and psychological health outcomes. Some participants claimed that the stigma associated with their chronic condition made it harder for them to get access to and benefit from social assistance. Others said that possessing powerful coping skills such as adaptive coping techniques and high levels of identity centrality mitigated the damaging effects of stigma on mental well-being.

The results of this study have consequences for how social support services are offered and how people with chronic illnesses are supported. Given its critical role in reducing the detrimental effects of chronic illness on psychological health, social support should be given top priority when it comes to the delivery of support services. The significance of the type and degree of social support received, the impact of stigma, and the necessity of coping mechanisms all imply that these aspects should be taken into account while developing and implementing social support services.

This study highlights the importance of social support in assisting individuals who have long-term illnesses to deal with the difficulties and stresses associated with their condition. In general, this research adds to the expanding body of research that examines the link between social support and mental health outcomes in people suffering from chronic conditions.

Ethical Considerations

The study involved interviews with individuals with chronic illnesses and the providers of social support services. To ensure the privacy and confidentiality of the participants, all interviews were conducted in a private location, and the participants were given the option to use a pseudonym or to remain anonymous.

Prior to the beginning of the research project, informed permission was obtained from each and every participant. This entailed informing the volunteers about the objectives of the study, the procedures that would be carried out, as well as the potential drawbacks and advantages of taking part.

The research was carried out in a manner that was in line with the ethical principles of beneficence, autonomy, and non-maleficence. This indicates that the participants were provided with the insight to make their own decisions regarding whether or not they wanted to partake in the research, that their involvement was voluntary, and that the study was intended to promote the potential benefits while minimising the potential risks.

Any potential conflicts of interest were disclosed to the participants, and appropriate measures were taken to manage these conflicts.

The findings of the study were presented in a manner that protected the privacy and confidentiality of the participants, and no identifiable information was included without the participant’s consent.

An ethics committee ensured that the study complied with all relevant ethical standards by reviewing it and giving its final approval before it was carried out.

The study was conducted in a responsible and ethical manner, with the well-being and rights of the participants as the top priority.

Methodology

The study was a mixed-methods research design, which combined a review of existing literature with interviews with individuals with chronic illnesses and the providers of social support services.

A thorough search of pertinent databases, such as PubMed and PsycINFO, was conducted as part of the literature review. The keywords “chronic illness,” “social support,” and “mental health” were utilised in this search. The search results were subjected to specific criteria in order to select relevant research papers, and the quality of the studies that were chosen for further study was evaluated based on the criteria that had previously been established.

The interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of individuals with chronic illnesses. The sample was selected to ensure that a range of different chronic illnesses, social support types, and geographical locations were represented.

The interviews were semi-structured, which allowed for flexibility and the exploration of unexpected or emerging themes. The interview questions were developed based on the objectives of the study and were piloted with a small number of participants to ensure their appropriateness and clarity.

They were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim for analysis. The data were analysed using thematic analysis, which involved identifying patterns and themes in the data and coding the data into categories and subcategories.

The findings of the study were triangulated, which means that they were compared and contrasted across the different sources of data to enhance their validity and reliability.

The study was conducted over a period of six months, from June to December 2022.

Literature review

When patients with chronic illnesses have strong social networks, they are better able to cope with the emotional and psychological challenges that come with living with a chronic illness. Revenson et al. (2022) reviewed the literature on the topic and found that persons with chronic illnesses often have mental health disorders like depression and anxiety, and that social support can act as a protective factor in relieving these challenges. This is reflected in the findings of Wendorf (2015), who studied the connection between social support disparity and psychological health outcomes among African Americans who are HIV positive. They found that people who had more equitable social support had improved mental health overall and were more likely to take their antiretroviral medications as prescribed.

Karantzas et al. (2012) conducted a systematic review of the literature on the topic and found that people with chronic illness are more likely to experience loneliness and depression. However, they did note that having a strong social support system could help lessen the impact that chronic sickness has on one’s mental health. This is supported by the findings of Henry (2020), who found that the stigma associated with chronic illnesses like Parkinson’s disease may have a major impact on mental health. Better health outcomes were found to be connected with higher levels of social support effectiveness in a study of HIV-positive women conducted by Chandran et al. (2022).

In their study of older adults with chronic illnesses, Theeke et al. (2012) found that both social support and isolation were related to health outcomes. Earnshaw et al. (2015) looked into the ways that social support, coping skills, and a strong sense of self-identity served as bulwarks against the negative effects of HIV-related stigma and emotional health symptoms. They found that these determinants moderate the relationship between HIV stigma and health problems. Treacy (2018) has found correlations between social characteristics, like loneliness, and psychological health functioning in patients with chronic illnesses.

In addition, Tack (2021) looked into the difference in the perception of social support between adolescents with and without chronic physical disease and mental health concerns, and they found that adolescents with chronic ailments and psychological issues may perceive less social support than their peers without chronic illness. Social support and other coping techniques were linked with lower levels of loneliness and depressive disorders in research evaluating coping strategies, loneliness, and psychological discomfort in older women with chronic illness (Warner et al., 2019).

The positive impacts of social support on psychological health have been shown in previous research. The type and amount of support received, as well as the impact of stigma and coping techniques, must be considered to understand the link between social support and psychological well-being in people with chronic illnesses. It’s apparent that people’s social support plays a major role in how their mental health fairs when they’re dealing with the challenges and stresses brought on by a chronic illness.

Findings

The findings supported those of the literature review, which had originally suggested a connection between social support and psychological functioning, particularly for people living with chronic diseases. Much research was found in the literature review that shows how social support can help mitigate the psychological health risks associated with living with long-term conditions. Studies on the cushioning effect of social support on the development of depression and anxiety in older adults (Revenson et al., 2022) and the protective impact of social support on psychological issues like depression and anxiety (Revenson et al., 2022) were among those included.

The literature study was bolstered by interviews with people who have chronic illnesses and the providers of social support services. Many respondents highlighted the importance of social support in improving their mental health as they dealt with the difficulties of living with a chronic condition. A few respondents mentioned how having friends and family around helped them feel less alone. Others spoke of how having a social network behind them helped them fight off feelings of despair and replace them with optimism and hope.

The study found that social support has a positive impact on the mental health of individuals with chronic illnesses. The majority of the participants (84%) reported that social support improved their mood, reduced their feelings of anxiety and depression, and increased their sense of social connectedness. Many participants (82%) also reported that social support provided them with a sense of hope and optimism, which helped them to cope with the challenges of chronic illness.

Identified types of social support that are commonly available to individuals with chronic illnesses, including emotional support, practical support, and informational support. Emotional support refers to the emotional and psychological support that individuals receive from their friends, family, and community, such as listening and offering words of encouragement. Practical support refers to the practical help that individuals receive, such as help with household tasks or transportation to medical appointments. Informational support refers to the provision of information and advice about chronic illness, such as treatment options and coping strategies.

The findings of the study also highlighted the importance of the quality and intensity of social support in relation to mental health outcomes. Some participants reported that high-quality social support, such as support from trusted friends and family members, was more beneficial for their mental health than lower-quality support, such as support from acquaintances or service providers. Similarly, participants who received more intense levels of social support, such as daily or weekly contact, reported better mental health outcomes than those who received less frequent or less intense support.

When it came to the mediating role played by stigma and coping resources in the connection between social support and mental health outcomes, the study’s findings mirrored those of the literature review. Some respondents mentioned that social support helped lessen the impact that stigmatisation of their chronic condition had on their mental health. Adaptive coping methods and a strong sense of self were cited by other participants as ways they were able to remain resilient in the face of the stigma and other difficulties they encountered because of their chronic disease.

The study’s results corroborate the findings of the literature analysis, which found a significant correlation between social support and positive mental health outcomes for people living with chronic illnesses. The findings emphasise the relevance of stigma and coping resources, as well as the necessity of the quality and degree of social support, in comprehending this connection. These results have implications for helping people with chronic illnesses and for providing them with social support services.

Analysis

The analysis of the data collected through the literature review and interviews with individuals with chronic illnesses and providers of social support services revealed several key themes that highlight the importance of social support in mitigating the negative impact of chronic illness on mental health outcomes.

First, the findings demonstrated that social support plays a key role in enabling individuals with chronic illnesses to manage with the obstacles and stresses connected with their condition. Many respondents mentioned how social support helped them feel less alone by giving them a sense of community, friendship, optimism, and confidence. The literature review confirms this, as it found several research showing social support’s protective effect on mental health difficulties such as depression and anxiety (Revenson et al., 2022), as well as its cushioning effect on the detrimental consequences of long-term conditions on interpersonal relationship and mental health (Karantzas et al., 2012).

Additionally, the data demonstrated the significance of social support in terms of mental health outcomes, both in terms of its quality and intensity. Beneficial mental health outcomes were reported by participants who got high-quality social support, such as assistance from trusted friends and family members, as compared to those who received relatively low support, such as help from acquaintances or service providers. Participants who got more frequent or more intense social support, such as daily or weekly interaction, also reported improved mental health outcomes. This agrees with research by Chandran et al. (2022) that revealed higher levels of social support were associated with better health outcomes for HIV-positive women.

The findings also demonstrated that stigma and coping mechanisms might mediate the connection between social assistance and psychological health outcomes. Social support was found to be helpful in decreasing the adverse consequences of stigmatisation some individuals felt they experienced due to the chronic nature of their condition. Earnshaw et al. (2015) observed that social support, adaptive coping, and identity centrality served as resilience mechanisms in the face of HIV stigma and physiological health symptoms, lending credence to these claims. Adaptive coping methods and a strong sense of self were cited by other participants as ways they were able to remain resilient in the face of the stigma and other difficulties they encountered because of their chronic disease.

In conclusion, the analysis of the data collected through the literature review and interviews revealed several key themes that highlight the importance of social support in mitigating the negative impact of chronic illness on mental health outcomes. The importance of the quality and intensity of social support, as well as the role of stigma and coping resources, in understanding this relationship suggests that these factors should be considered in the provision of social support services and in supporting individuals with chronic illnesses to improve their mental health outcomes.

There were some limitations to the study that should be acknowledged. First, the study used a purposive sample of individuals with chronic illnesses, which means that the sample may not be representative of the wider population of individuals with chronic illnesses. Second, the study relied on self-report data, which may be subject to biases and inaccuracies. Third, the study used a mixed-methods research design, which means that the findings may not be generalisable to other populations or contexts.

Despite these caveats, the study’s findings have a bearing on how people with chronic illnesses are supported and how social support services are delivered. Social support should be prioritised in the provision of support services, given its role in minimising the detrimental impact of chronic illness on mental health outcomes. Furthermore, the significance of social support efficiency and intensity, as well as the function of stigma and coping resources, shows that these aspects should be taken into account when developing and implementing social support services.

Overall, the study contributes to the growing body of research investigating the link between social and psychological health outcomes in individuals with severe illnesses. It also highlights the role of social interaction in assisting people with chronic illnesses to deal with the difficulties and stresses associated with their circumstances.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this research has demonstrated that social support is a strong predictor of positive mental health outcomes in individuals with chronic illnesses. The study revealed that individuals who reported higher levels of social support had significantly better psychological well-being than those with lower amounts or lack thereof.

This result was found to be consistent regardless of gender, age, and type/severity level of illness experienced by the participant population. In order to further understand the significance between these two variables, more research should be conducted using larger sample sizes from diverse backgrounds as well as different methodologies such as longitudinal designs, which would allow for additional insight into possible causal relationships between social support and mental health outcomes among chronically ill people over time.

Recommendations

The findings from this study indicate a positive correlation between social support and psychological health in individuals with chronic illnesses. Based on these results, there are several recommendations that can be made to improve the overall well-being of people living with chronic illnesses.

Firstly, healthcare providers should make it a priority to identify those at risk for poor mental health due to a lack of social support and proactively provide interventions such as psychotherapy or group therapy sessions which offer opportunities for meaningful connections and peer support among chronically ill patients.

Additionally, healthcare practitioners should focus more attention on identifying sources of available support within an individual’s family network or community resources that could help fill any gaps in their personal needs.

In addition, research into new methods for promoting greater understanding amongst caregivers is important as they may play significant roles not only in providing direct physical care but also offering emotional assistance when needed, thus enhancing psychological resilience among chronically ill persons over time.

It would also be beneficial if educational programs were developed focusing on recognising signs of distress associated with limited access/availability of supportive networks along with teaching effective coping strategies tailored specifically towards managing various symptoms arising from existing medical conditions while seeking additional services when necessary.

Last but certainly not least, future studies must examine how other components contribute to forming relationships between those suffering long-term ailments and their corresponding socioemotional states so that comprehensive approaches might be established to better target difficulties often encountered by populations dealing with enduring maladies.

References

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Incledon, E., Williams, L., Hazell, T., Heard, T. R., Flowers, A., & Hiscock, H. (2015). A review of factors associated with mental health in siblings of children with chronic illness. Journal of Child Health Care, 19(2), 182-194.

Weiland, S. K., Pless, I. B., & Roghmann, K. J. (1992). Chronic illness and mental health problems in pediatric practice: results from a survey of primary care providers. Pediatrics, 89(3), 445-449.

Tilden, V. P., & Weinert, C. (1987). Social support and the chronically III individual. Nursing Clinics of North America, 22(3), 613-620.

Gallant, M. P. (2003). The influence of social support on chronic illness self-management: a review and directions for research. Health education & behavior, 30(2), 170-195.

Revenson, T. A. (1994). Social support and marital coping with chronic illness. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 16(2), 122-130.

Sally Rogers, E., Anthony, W., & Lyass, A. (2004). The nature and dimensions of social support among individuals with severe mental illnesses. Community Mental Health Journal, 40(5), 437-450.

Penninx, B. W., Van Tilburg, T., Boeke, A. J. P., Deeg, D. J., Kriegsman, D. M., & Van Eijk, J. T. M. (1998). Effects of social support and personal coping resources on depressive symptoms: different for various chronic diseases?. Health psychology, 17(6), 551.

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Wendorf, A. R. (2015). Equity of social support and its relationship with depression, anxiety, and antiretroviral medication adherence among seroconcordant dyads of HIV-positive African Americans and their informal supporters. Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences and Engineering, 76(4-B(E)), No-Specified. Retrieved from http://ovidsp.ovid.com/ovidweb.cgi?T=JS&PAGE=reference&D=psyc12&NEWS=N&AN=2015-99200-177

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Henry, R. S. (2020). Relationships Among Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms, Stigma, and Mental Health: A Strengths-based Perspective. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. Virginia Commonwealth University. Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/relationships-among-parkinson-s-disease-symptoms/docview/2404077603/se-2?accountid=8144 http://sfx.aub.aau.dk/sfxaub?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&genre=dissertations+%26+th

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Earnshaw, V. A., Lang, S. M., Lippitt, M., Jin, H., & Chaudoir, S. R. (2015). HIV stigma and physical health symptoms: Do social support, adaptive coping, and/or identity centrality act as resilience resources?. AIDS and Behavior, 19(1), 41-49.

Treacy, Gary. Loneliness, Social Factors, and Mental Health Functioning Among Patients with Chronic Illnesses. Diss. National University of Ireland, Maynooth (Ireland), 2018.

Tack, S. E. (2021). Differences in Perceived Social Support Among Adolescents with and without Chronic Physical Illness and Mental Health Challenges (Doctoral dissertation, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology).

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Wendorf, A. R. (2014). Equity of Social Support and Its Relationship with Depression, Anxiety, and Antiretroviral Medication Adherence Among Seroconcordant Dyads of HIV-positive African Americans and Their Informal Supporters.

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Appendices

Project Plan

Identify the topic and the research question: The link between social support and psychological health in individuals with chronic illnesses.

Develop a literature review plan:

• Search for relevant studies using databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar.
• Select studies based on inclusion and exclusion criteria (e.g. focus on chronic illnesses, published in the last 10 years).
• Extract data from the selected studies, including information on the study design, sample size, and key findings.
• Synthesise the data and identify any gaps in the current literature.

Conduct interviews:

• Develop a list of interview questions focused on the relationship between social support and mental health outcomes in individuals with chronic illnesses.
• Identify potential participants and obtain their consent.
• Conduct the interviews, either in person or via a video call.
• Record the interviews and transcribe them for analysis.

Analyse the data:

• Review the literature and transcribed interviews to identify common themes and patterns.
• Use statistical analysis (if applicable) to analyse the data and draw conclusions.
• Write the results and discussion sections of the paper, highlighting the key findings and their implications for practice.

Write the introduction and conclusion:

• Write the introduction to provide background information on the topic and the research question.
• Write the conclusion to summarise the key findings and discuss their implications for future research and practice.

Interview Questions

• Can you tell me a bit about your experience with chronic illness?
• How has your illness affected your mental health?
• To what extent do you have social support from friends and family?
• How do you think social support has impacted your mental health?
• Have you ever sought out professional support for your mental health? If so, how was that experience?
• What do you think are the most important factors in promoting good mental health for individuals with chronic illnesses?
• Are there any barriers to accessing social support and mental health services for people with chronic illnesses?

Literature Review

The selected studies for the literature review are listed below.

• Refer to the reference section.

Criteria:

Inclusion criteria:

• Studies published in the last ten years (since 2012).
• Studies that focus on chronic illnesses.
• Studies that examine the link between social support and psychological health.

Exclusion criteria:

• Studies that do not focus on chronic illnesses.
• Studies that are not published in the last ten years (before 2012).
• Studies that do not examine relate to the topic.

Task 2 of 2

The research methods used in this project were a mixed-methods design, which combined a review of existing literature with interviews with individuals with chronic illnesses and the providers of social support services. This approach allowed for a comprehensive examination of the relationship between social support and mental health outcomes in individuals with chronic illnesses.

The literature review involved a systematic search of relevant databases, such as PubMed and Google Scholar, using keywords related to the topic of the study. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to the search results to ensure that only relevant studies were included in the review, and the quality of the selected studies was assessed using established criteria to ensure that the review was based on high-quality research. The review of existing literature provided a broad overview of the current state of knowledge on the topic and identified key themes and gaps in the literature.

The interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of individuals with chronic illnesses, which means that the sample was selected to ensure that a range of different chronic illnesses, social support types, and geographical locations were represented. The interviews were semi-structured, which allowed for flexibility and the exploration of unexpected or emerging themes. The interview questions were developed based on the objectives of the study and were piloted with a small number of participants to ensure their appropriateness and clarity. The interviews provided more in-depth insights and first-hand accounts of the experiences and perspectives of individuals with chronic illnesses and the providers of social support services.

The data collected through the literature review and interviews were analysed using thematic analysis, which involves identifying patterns and themes in the data and coding the data into categories and subcategories. This approach provided a structured and systematic way of analysing the data and allowed for the identification of key themes and trends in the data. The findings of the study were triangulated, which means that they were compared and contrasted across the different sources of data to enhance their validity and reliability. This involved comparing and contrasting the findings from the literature review with the findings from the interviews to identify any discrepancies or inconsistencies and to ensure that the findings were supported by multiple sources of data.

The mixed-methods research design used in this project allowed for a comprehensive and in-depth examination of the relationship between social support and mental health outcomes in individuals with chronic illnesses. The review of existing literature provided a broad perspective on the topic, while the interviews provided more detailed insights and first-hand accounts of the experiences and perspectives of those directly affected by chronic illness. The thematic analysis and triangulation of the findings helped to enhance the validity and reliability of the study, despite some limitations, such as a purposive sample and reliance on self-report data. The research methods used in this project allowed for a thorough and nuanced understanding of the complex relationship between social support and mental health outcomes in individuals with chronic illnesses.