Perceived social support is strongly associated with recovery after injury

Abstract

BACKGROUND:The strength of one's social support network is a potentially modifiable factor that may have a significant impact on recovery after injury. We sought to assess the association between one's perceived social support (PSS) and physical and mental health outcomes 6 months to 12 months postinjury. METHODS:Moderate to severely injured patients admitted to one of three Level I trauma centers were asked to complete a phone-based survey assessing physical and mental health outcomes in addition to return to work and chronic pain 6 months to 12 months postinjury.Patients were also asked to rate the strength of their PSS on a 5-point Likert scale. Multivariate linear and logistic regression models were built to determine the association between PSS and postdischarge outcome metrics. RESULTS:Of 907 patients included in this study, 653 (72.0%) identified themselves as having very strong/strong, 182 (20.1%) as average, and 72 (7.9%) as weak/nonexistent PSS. Patients who reported a weak/nonexistent PSS were younger and were more likely to be male, Black, and to have a lower level of education than those who reported a very strong/strong PSS. After adjusting for potential confounders, patients with a weak/nonexistent PSS were more likely to have new functional limitations and chronic pain in addition to being less likely to be back at work/school and being more likely to screen positive for symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety at 6 months to 12 months postinjury than those with a strong/very strong PSS. CONCLUSION:Lower PSS is strongly correlated with worse functional and mental health outcome metrics postdischarge. The strength of one's social support network should be considered when trying to identify patients who are at greatest risk for poor postdischarge outcomes after injury. Our data also lend support to creating a system wherein we strive to build a stronger support network for these high-risk individuals.

The Social Vulnerability Index and Long-term Outcomes After Traumatic Injury

“…This suggests that systematic deprivation through the poverty cycle may have a significant impact on recovery trajectory and outcomes after injury. Strong support networks have been shown to be an important source of resilience and to positively impact recovery 33 . Herein, we found that within a census tract, certain factors that may be considered a proxy for weak social support networks, such as single parent households and noninstitutionalized people with disabilities, were associated with worse physical and mental health outcomes.…”

“…Strong support networks have been shown to be an important source of resilience and to positively impact recovery. 33 Herein, we found that within a census tract, certain factors that may be considered a proxy for weak social support networks, such as single parent households and noninstitutionalized people with disabilities, were associated with worse physical and mental health outcomes. Finally, we found a greater level of education within the community to be protective against poor recovery, an association that has been previously described on an individual patient level.…”

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on functional and mental health outcomes after trauma

“…Inadequate social support can especially impact patients recovering from traumatic injury, and social support has been shown to be a core component of many patients’ recovery in prior FORTE studies. 6 Another potential mechanism is through the stresses induced by the pandemic. During the pandemic, people have experienced stress about a wide range of topics, including fears of contracting the virus, mistrust of the medical system, and uncertainty about the future.…”

“… 4 Poor perceived social support, social isolation, and loneliness are associated with higher morbidity and mortality and adverse functional outcomes after trauma. 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 …”

“Be Worthy”

“…Our patients need more than just their physical wounds attended to if they are going to make "full" recovery. 36,37 We really need to follow the vision of President-elect David Livingston who has established their Center of Trauma Survivorship:…”