Tests of Revisions to the Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the accuracy of averaged scores from the original Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire (NSSQ)and averaged scores from each of three new NSSQ versions (NSSQ-R.aid, NSSQ-R.n/a, and NSSQ-R.format). These three new versions of the widely used NSSQ were developed to address three previously identified concerns regarding score accuracy: the Aid subscale's examples of aid, lack of an n/a response option, and the network nomination/rating procedure. Missing data rates were also assessed. METHODS: A convenience sample (N = 223) completed one of the four NSSQ versions. Score accuracy (restriction) was assessed by size of correlation between averaged scores (averaged score/network size) and network size, with low correlations indicating less score restriction and higher score accuracy. Fisher's r-to-z transformations assessed the significance of the difference between all correlations from the three versions. Missing data rates were assessed using chi-square tests of independence. RESULTS: The cumulative effects of removing the aid examples and use of the n/a response option improved score accuracy; averaged Aid scores from the NSSQ-R.n/a were statistically significantly less restricted than corresponding scores on the original NSSQ. The final version (NSSQ-R.format) actually resulted in statistically significant decreased score accuracy for averaged Affect scores. There were no statistically significant differences in missing data rates among versions. CONCLUSION: Averaged scores from the NSSQ-R.n/a should be used. Future research should focus on the use of situation-specific Aid items.

Social support in older people: lessons from a developing country.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the level of social support in older people presenting to the Emergency Department of a tertiary hospital in Trinidad. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study, assessing social support in patients ≥65 years presenting to the Emergency Department, using the Sarason Social Support Questionnaire. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-two respondents aged 65 years and older were included. Respondents reported a median Social Support Questionnaire Score (SSQS) of 4.83 and number (SSQN) of 1.67, which did not differ significantly between genders and ethnic groups. Patients who presented via ambulance had a significantly lower SSQS (4.33 vs. 5.16) and SSQN (1.33 vs. 1.92) than those who arrived by their own transport. Respondents reported far greater median family scores (1.33) than non-family scores (0.00). CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to the understanding of social support for older people in developing countries. The dependence on family support in developing countries may prove challenging in the long term as family structures in these countries change with economic pressures. More extensive research is needed into the phenomenon of social support for older people in developing countries, particularly with the impending expansion of this age group in these countries.

A brief form of the Perceived Social Support Questionnaire (F-SozU) was developed, validated, and standardized.

OBJECTIVES: Development of a brief instrument (F-SozU K-6) for the measurement of perceived social support in epidemiologic contexts by shortening a well-established German questionnaire (F-SozU K-14). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: The development of the F-SozU K-6 consisted of two phases; phase 1: the F-SozU K-14 was presented to a general population sample representative for the Federal Republic of Germany (N = 2,007; age: 14-92 years). Six items for the short form were selected based on the maximization of coefficient alpha. Phase 2: the new short form (F-SozU K-6) was evaluated and standardized in an independent second population survey (N = 2,508, age: 14-92 years). RESULTS: The F-SozU K-6 showed very good reliability and excellent model fit indices for the one-dimensional factorial structure of the scale. Furthermore, strict measurement invariance was detected allowing unbiased comparison of means and correlation coefficients and path coefficients between both sexes across the full lifespan from adolescence (14-92 years). Well-established associations of perceived social support with depression and somatic symptoms could be replicated using the short form. CONCLUSION: The F-SozU K-6 presents a reliable, valid, and economical instrument to assess perceived social support and can thus be effectively applied within the frameworks of clinical epidemiologic studies or related areas.

Efecto de diversas variables psicológicas sobre la salud: resultados de algunos estudios hechos en México / Effects of Different Psychological Variables on Health: Results from Studies Done in Mexico

Tanto con animales como con humanos se ha demostrado que el estrés puede causar daños en la salud. También se ha mostrado que algunas variables psicológicas modulan la relación entre el estrés y la enfermedad. En el presente trabajo se sumarizan los resultados de varios estudios realizados en México sobre distintas variables psicológicas relacionadas con la salud de las personas. Se mencionan resultados de estudios para validar cuestionarios para medir estrés vital y apoyo social percibido. También se muestra evidencia de que es factible medir el apoyo social como una auténtica variable independiente, utilizando los juicios de otras personas sobre su disposición para interactuar con un individuo. Se muestra evidencia de que las primeras personas que brindan apoyo son las responsables del efecto benéfico del apoyo social, mientras que prestadores de ayuda adicionales tienen efectos cada vez menos pronunciados. Se reseñan estudios que mostraron que al igual que en otras culturas el estrés tiene un efecto nocivo sobre la salud de los mexicanos y que el apoyo social mitiga dichos efectos nocivos. Diferente de otras culturas, en México la feminidad y no la masculinidad es el factor que mitiga los efectos dañinos del estrés, mientras que el afrontar los problemas no modula la relación estrés-enfermedad.

It has been shown that with both animals and humans stress can damage health. It has also been shown that some psychological variables modulate the relation between stress and health. The present paper summarizes the results from various studies done in Mexico regarding the effect of several psychological variables on people's health. The paper presents results from studies in which the social readjustment rating for adults and for elementary school children were validated in Mexico. Data regarding the validation in Mexico of the social support questionnaire are also presented. The results from a study that used the reports of school peers about their willingness to interact with an individual showed that social support can be measured as an authentic independent variable. The paper also reviews the results from studies that showed that as predicted by social impact theory, the first perceived helpers are responsible for the beneficial effects of social support while the effect of each additional helper is only marginal. The paper summarizes the results from studies that showed that as in other countries stress predicted reliably the frequency with which children and adults experienced somatic symptoms and that perceived social support mitigated the noxious effects of stress. Different from other countries, in Mexico femininity and not masculinity mitigated the noxious effects of stress on health while coping strategies did not modulate the effects of stress.

Adaptación al español del cuestionario Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL) / The Spanish Adaptation of Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL)

El objetivo de este trabajo es el estudio de las propiedades psicométricas de la versión en español del cuestionario Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL), construido en su versión original por Cohen y Wills (1985). El ISEL evalúa la percepción de disponibilidad de cuatro aspectos diferentes del apoyo social, además de aportar una medida general de apoyo social percibido. El cuestionario se compone de cuatro subescalas (autoestima, información, pertenencia e instrumental). Cada una de ellas está formada por 10 ítems. Tras un riguroso proceso de traducción para generar la versión española del ISEL, se analizó la equivalencia de la versión traducida al español para la escala en su conjunto y para cada subescala en una muestra de universitarios españoles (N = 441). Se obtuvo un valor de alfa para la primera administración de 0.888 y de 0.87 para la segunda. La fiabilidad test-retest fue de r = 0.787. Se comprobó que la estructura factorial podría ser esencialmente unidimensional tras un análisis factorial exploratorio con rotación Varimax. Además, se analizó la validez convergente con la Escala de Soledad (r = -0.692; p < 0.001); el Cuestionario de Autoeficacia Percibida (r = 0.712; p < 0.001); el Cuestionario de Salud General (r = -0.422; p < 0.001) y la Escala de Estrés Percibido (r = -0.400; p = 0.002). Los resultados podrían mostrar que la versión española del ISEL puede ser utilizada con suficientes garantías psicométricas en una población de jóvenes universitarios de habla hispana.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of Spanish version of the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List-ISEL which was built in its original version by Cohen and Wills (1985). The ISEL assesses the perceived availability of four different aspects of social support, in addition to providing a general measure of social support. The questionnaire consists of four sub-scales (self-esteem, information, membership and instrumental). Each sub-scale consists of 10 items. After a rigorous translation process to produce the Spanish version of the ISEL, we examined the equivalence of the translated version into Spanish for the total scale and each sub-scale in a sample of Spanish university students (N = 441). We obtained an alpha value for the first administration of 0.888 and 0.87 for the second. The test-retest reliability was r = 0.787. It was found that the factor structure would be essentially one-dimensional after exploratory factor analysis with Varimax rotation. In addition, convergent validity was assessed with the Loneliness Scale (r = -0.692, p < 0.001), the Perceived Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (r = 0.712, p < 0.001), the General Health Questionnaire (r = -0.422, p = 0.001) and the Perceived Stress Scale (r = -0.400, p = 0.002). The results could show that the Spanish version of the ISEL can be used with sufficient psychometric guarantees in a population of Spanish-speaking university students.

Análisis de los usuarios del programa "Medellín en Movimiento" a la luz del cuestionario de apoyo social / Analysis of the users of the "Medellín en Movimiento" program in light of the social support questionnaire

La atención integral que presta el Instituto de Deporte y Recreación, Inder Medellín, a sus usuarios es un objetivo vital para su estrategia de intervención social. De allí, su interés por evidenciar los avances que la población atendida ha obtenido durante un periodo de tiempo, implicando realizar un rastreo a las diferentes acciones que el programa Medellín en Movimiento contempla, como por ejemplo: Canas al Aire, Nocturnos y Madrugadores, Deporte sin Límite, aeróbicos y centros de promoción de la salud. Este rastreo se realiza con una actividad conocida con el nombre de "Seguimiento a Usuario", que consta de diversas áreas, entre ellas: la médica, la nutricional, la relacionada con la actividad física y de apoyo social. Las personas entrevistadas pasaron por cada una de ellas, respondiendo las preguntas diseñadas, permitiendo recolectar información valiosa y precisa para direccionar la intervención en el siguiente año.El método utilizado fue aleatorio, con una muestra representativa de 1.171 personas ofreciendo un universo amplio, por esta razón la herramienta para el análisis de datos fue el R.En este artículo se encontrará la información exclusivamente del área de apoyo social, indagación que fue recolectada con el cuestionario de apoyo social Moss. Herramienta que posibilita hacer seguimiento a los usuarios a través de las subescalas que posee el instrumento como: apoyo emocional, instrumental, interacción positiva y apoyo afectivo involucrando características específicas del acompañamiento social, población y personalidad.

Integral attention given by Instituto de Deporte y Recreación, INDER Medellín, to its users, is a main goal to its social intervention strategy. Therefore, its interest to show the upgrades that the attended population has obtained during a period of time, involving a tracking to the different actions that the program Medellín en Movimiento contemplate, for example: white-hair in the air, nocturne and early riser, sports without limits, aerobics and promotion health centers. This tracking is done by an activity known as "user monitoring", which has diverse areas, among them: medical, nutritional, physical activity related and psychological. Interviewed people pass through them, answering the design questions, allowing to collect precious and precise information to direct the intervention in the following year. The used method was random with a representative sample of people offering a wide universe that is why the data analysis tool was the R. In this article you will find exclusively the information related to the psychology area, inquiry that was collected with the social support questionnaire Moss. This tool makes possible a user monitoring through subscales that the test itself has, like emotional and instrumental support, positive interaction and affective support, involving specific features of social support, population and personality.

Estructura familiar y redes de apoyo en los adultos mayores que acuden al centro de experiencia del adulto mayor CEAM - Quito / Family structure and support networks in older adults who come to the experience center for older adults CEAM - Quito

Objetivo: Describir las características de la estructura familiar y de las redes de apoyo social de las y los ancianos que acuden al centro de Experiencias del Adulto Mayor en Quito. Métodos: Realizamos un estudio cuantitativo, de corte transversal, con muestreo intencionado y al azar, en 42 adultos mayores usuarios del CEAM, en diciembre del 2004. La información se recolectó mediante familiogramas y la aplicación del cuestionario MOS de apoyo social. Resultados: En las 42 encuastas válidas la edad promedio fue 71.88 años; el 69% fueron ancianos jóvenes, el 22.2% ancianos medios, 4.8% ancianos frágiles. El 40.5% tienen familias extensas, 7.1% monoparentales 4.8% nucleares íntegras, 9.5% nucleares ampliadas y 38.1% son no clasificadas que se caracterizan por vivir solos. El promedio de amigos íntimos y familiares cercanos fue de 4.83 personas, moda de 3, desviación estándar de 6.99 y un rango entre 0 y 37. Los porcentajes encontrados en la escala máxima, media y mínima para el índice global de MOS fueron del 19%, 71,4% Y 9,5% respectivamente al diferenciar por tipos de familias el 100% de personas que reciben apoyo instrumental mínimo viven solas, el 100% que reciben apoyo instrumental máximo son familiares monoparentales. En las familias extensas, monoparentales y nucleares ampliadas no se encontraron categorías mínimas en el componente afectivo.

Objective: Describe the characteristics of the family structure and social support networks of people and the elderly who come to the Experiences Center for the Elderly in Quito. Methods: We carried out a quantitative cross-sectional study, with intentional and random sampling, in 42 elderly CEAM users, in December 2004. The information was collected using familiograms and the application of the MOS questionnaire on social support. Results: In the 42 valid surveys, the average age was 71.88 years; 69% were young elderly, 22.2% middle aged, 4.8% frail elderly. 40.5% have extended families, 7.1% single-parent 4.8% whole nuclear, 9.5% extended nuclear and 38.1% are unclassified, characterized by living alone. The average of close friends and close family members was 4.83 people, mode of 3, standard deviation of 6.99 and a range between 0 and 37. The percentages found on the maximum, mean and minimum scale for the global MOS index were 19% , 71.4% and 9.5% respectively, when differentiating by type of family, 100% of people who receive minimum instrumental support live alone, 100% who receive maximum instrumental support are single-parent family members. In the extended, single-parent and extended nuclear families, no minimum categories are found in the affective component.