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We analysed whether there were associations among different aspects of social network and social support, on one hand, and heavy drinking and alcohol problems on the other. The study sample (n = 621) comprised a random half of all male residents born in 1914 in Malmö, Sweden. Five hundred (80.5%) participated. Heavy drinking was defined as an alcohol consumption above 250 g alcohol per week and alcohol problems were assessed by a modified Michigan Alcoholism Screening test. Eight conceptually differential aspects of social networks and social support were measured. Four of five social network indices (social anchorage, social participation, contact frequency, spousal support) were associated with heavy drinking (OR 1.9-2.5) and two social network indices (social anchorage, spousal support) were associated with alcohol problems (OR 2.1-2.3). The results in this study are independent of social class, but based on a cross-sectional study, so we do not know if heavy drinking has caused social isolation or the contrary. If these results can be verified in a prospective study, a strengthening of the social network of the individual could perhaps lead to more moderate alcohol habits and better health, a finding of potential importance in the field of health promotion.

The reliability and validity of methods to assess social networks, social support and control were investigated in a population of 12,009 females and males born between 1926 and 1945 (the "Malmö Shoulder and Neck Study"). This study demonstrated an overall reliability with kappa coefficients between 0.70 and 0.47, but the reliability was more varying among females and lower in the youngest age group. The analysis of the construct validity indicated that the different indices measure different aspects of the psychosocial environment, but both theoretical and methodological problems were identified, when the validity of multidimensional concepts are to be determined. The validity of such indices can best be judged by combining quantitative and qualitative methods. Potential validity problems must be kept in mind when these indices are used in epidemiological research. The results from the reliability analysis call for repeated assessments and the sample size must be adjusted vis-a-vis the reliability.

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Study objective -To test the stress hypothesis by characterising women during their first pregnancy who continue to smoke in early pregnancy in comparison with women who quit smoking, with special reference to psychosocial factors like social network, social support, demands, and control in work and daily life. Design -The study is based on a cohort of primigravidas followed during pregnancy. Data were collected by self administered questionnaires during the pregnant womens' first antenatal visit at about 12 weeks.Setting -The study was performed in the antenatal clinics in the city ofMalmo, Sweden.Participants -The participants were all primigravidas living in the city of Malmo, Sweden, over a one year period, 1991-92.A total of 872 (87.7%) of the 994 invited women agreed to participate. The population of this study on smoking includes all primigravidas who at the time of conception were smoking (n=404, 46.3%).Main results -At the first antenatal visit (63-6% (n =257) of the prepregnancy smokers were still smoking (a total smoking prevalence of 29-5%). The pregnant smokers were on average younger and had a lower educational level. The highest relative risk (RR) of continued smoking was found among unmarried women RR 2-7 (95% confidence interval) (1.5, 4.8), women having unplanned pregnancies RR 2-2 (1-2, 4.0) and those with a low social participation RR 1-6 (1.0, 2-7), low instrumental support RR 2-6 (1.2, 6.0), low support from the child's father RR 2-1 (1.0, 4.2) and those exposed to job strain RR= 2-3 (1.1,4-8). The In recent years great attention has been paid to the dangers of smoking during pregnancy. In spite ofthis, many pregnant women continue to smoke. In Sweden the prevalence of smoking among all pregnant women was 21 8% in 1992 (Swedish Medical Birth Registry -personal communication). A study from two big cities in Denmark showed a prevalence of 44% in 1987, and 81% ofthese women were still smoking at the end of pregnancy.9 One Norwegian study in 1989 showed a smoking prevalence of 46% 3 months before pregnancy, and 84% of the women were still smoking at the time of the first medical check up. '0 In a Swedish study, 32% of the pregnant women in one big city were daily smokers at the time of conception and by the time oftheir antenatal visit, 2 months later, 77% reported that they were still smoking."1 Women's smoking has been seen as related to social deprivation, stress, and disadvantage.2 13 Persistent smoking during pregnancy is found to be related to low household incomes, living in rented accommodation, being unmarried, and having a husband or partner in manual employment.'4 High parity number, not living with the infant's father, and daily passive smoking at home are also associated with an increased risk for continued smoking.'5 Other important predictors of unsuccessful smoking cessation are a high level of smoking before pregnancy and high coffee consumption.9Women experiencing depression and those with psychosocial difficulties in daily domestic roles also have higher rates of pe...

The objective of this study was to determine whether there is an association of all-cause mortality with different aspects of social network, social support, and social influence. The study sample (n = 621) was a random half of all male residents of Malmö, Sweden, born in 1914, of whom 500 (80.5%) were interviewed and examined in 1982-1983. On the basis of a model with carefully defined and well-differentiated concepts integrated in a theoretic framework of social resources, an instrument was developed to measure different aspects of social network, social support, and social influence. During the follow-up period from September 1982 to November 1987, 67 (13.4%) of the 500 participants died. In univariate analysis, a higher mortality risk was found among men with low availability of emotional support and low adequacy of social participation and among men living alone (crude relative risk = 2.3, 2.3, and 1.7, respectively). These relative mortality risks changed little after adjustments for social class, health status at baseline, cardiovascular risk factors, alcohol intake, physical activity, and body mass index in the multivariate analysis (adjusted relative mortality risk = 2.5, 2.2, and 2.0 for men with low availability of social support and low adequacy of social participation and for men living alone, respectively). These findings are consistent with the existence of a general effect of social network and social support on mortality among elderly men.

Abstract— The objective of this study was to investigate whether there were associations between different aspects of social network and social support and dental status. The study sample (n = 621) comprised a random half of all male residents in Malmö, Sweden, born in 1914. Five hundred (80.5%) participated. Eight conceptually different aspects of social networks and social support were measured, and all men were clinically examined regarding number of teeth, prevalence of removable dentures, fixed bridges and anterior open tooth spaces. We found that some aspects of dental status were associated with social class, while others were associated with different aspects of social network and social support. Prevalence of complete dentures and fixed bridges was strongly associated with social class, a low number of functioning teeth was associated with both low social class belonging and an insufficient social network and social support, while anterior open tooth spaces were associated mostly with an insufficient social network and social support. This study shows that there are significant associations between some aspects of dental status and the social network and social support of the individual, while other aspects of dental status are associated with social class, which from a psychosocial perspective contribute to a deeper understanding of the backgrounds of dental status.

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