Social support network, mental health and quality of life: a cross-sectional study in primary care

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify the association between emotional distress and social support networks with quality of life in primary care patients. This was a cross-sectional study involving 1,466 patients in the cities of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2009/2010. The General Health Questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the brief version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument were used. The Social Support Network Index classified patients with the highest and lowest index as socially integrated or isolated. A bivariate analysis and four multiple linear regressions were conducted for each quality of life outcome. The means scores for the physical, psychological, social relations, and environment domains were, respectively, 64.7; 64.2; 68.5 and 49.1. In the multivariate analysis, the psychological domain was negatively associated with isolation, whereas the social relations and environment domains were positively associated with integration. Integration and isolation proved to be important factors for those in emotional distress as they minimize or maximize negative effects on quality of life.

Promotion of women’s mental health: the influence of physical health and the environment

“…Previous studies that address issues related to body image (25) and body and mind integration (26) have identified the association of these aspects with the physical and environmental domains of quality of life. These results corroborate the discussion of the findings of the present study since the proposed intervention was based both on a body-focused approach (physical and subjective) and on a perspective of integrating emotions, feelings and actions.…”

The use of social networks in scientific research with questionnaires

“…As recommended for cross-sectional studies [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] , the addresses of participants from group 1 were confirmed by telephone and 53 updated records were obtained. An envelope was sent to everyone containing the following items: 1) a letter explaining the research, 2) two informed consent forms, 3) two SF-36 quality of life questionnaires, and 4) a prepaid and labelled envelope to increase the likelihood of the questionnaire being returned.…”

“…Questionnaires are an important tool in clinical research for outlining a situation or the way of life of a population [1][2][3][4][5][6] . Usually, the forms are distributed to the public through the mail or via censuses 3,5 .…”

“…Questionnaires are an important tool in clinical research for outlining a situation or the way of life of a population [1][2][3][4][5][6] . Usually, the forms are distributed to the public through the mail or via censuses 3,5 . However, with the rise of the internet and the advent of electronic social networks, such as Facebook™ in 2004, distances to the target population were shortened, especially in Brazil 1,5,[7][8] .…”

“…However, with the rise of the internet and the advent of electronic social networks, such as Facebook™ in 2004, distances to the target population were shortened, especially in Brazil 1,5,[7][8] . Studies have assessed the acceptability and representability of social networks in information science in Brazil 1 , which led researchers to apply electronic surveys more often 3,5,8 . In addition, the SciELO organization (online library) held a seminar in 2012 on the use of social networks in scientific communication, emphasizing the importance of this communication vehicle 1,2,[7][8] .…”