Assess The Difference Between Social Network And Functional Aspects Of Social Support

Some experts in the field have concluded that the health effect of social relationships may be as important as established risk factors such as smoking, physical activity, obesity and high blood pressure.

Social support or to maintain contact with family and friends. In general people are sociable, we will attempt to relate to other people and develop a relationship with them. Sometimes people will need support in relating to others- this can be for a range of reasons such as, illness if social circumstances may of meant that someone has lost contact with other people such as their family and friends, other may have issues in making relationship and some may have had difficult or painful experiences which have made them wary of becoming involved with others.

In order for a vulnerable individual to feel confident and feel as his/her needs are met, a supportive relationship is essential. A supportive relationship is a relation based on empathy and encouragement and based on the individuals supporting each other in different ways, in order to maintain happy and healthy, physically and mentally. Without a supportive relationship, individuals might not feel confident or they might feel withdrawn and neglected by the person who is taking care of them. Without a supportive relationship people might start feeling self-conscious or they might become depressed as they might feel as people do not want to be

The impact of loneliness on physical health can also be better understood by the study conducted by Uchino and colleagues (1996). They found that social individuals have lower blood pressure, better immunity and lower levels of stress hormones than the socially isolated people. In contrast another study described by Arthur 2006 demonstrated that it is not yet clear that group therapy or socialization can improve the secondary prevention of Coronary heart Disease. After considering all the studies and arguments by different authors it can be conclude that it is necessary to do more research on the impact of socialization on physical health of individuals.

High-quality social relationships, wherein people experience camaraderie and happiness, yield substantial health benefits. For instance, social ties such as marriage and religious involvement have been linked to healthier choices with diet and exercise, possibly because these connections promote positive behavioral norms (Umberson and Montez, 2010). High-quality social relationships also promote mental health by offering individuals a sense of place within a meaningful environment. When people feel connected and supported, they tend to experience a greater sense of control, a psychological state shown to be both associated and causally linked to good health (Lachman and Weaver, 1998). Positive psychological effects of social relationships improve physical health by making it easier for the body to maintain chemical homeostasis over long periods of time by alleviating its “allostatic load” (Umberson and Montez, 2010). Ultimately, these components of high-quality social relationships make people less likely to get sick and die.

Social support was taken as the perception and actuality that one is cared for, has assistance available from other people (spouse, relatives and friends) and that one is part of a supportive social network (Odongo et al, 2015). To demonstrate, my grandmother was able to have a lot of support from the family in which this allowed her to detect the cancer earlier due to the awareness of breast cancer in our family history. Breast cancer runs in my family, in every generation, and the remission of my grandmother’s cancer has led everyone to help out and understand the toll that the cancer was taking on her body. This allowed the family to learn more and support her in what decision she has made in taking the steps of recovery. Several studies have also described how the patient’s concealment of symptoms may influence, delay of medical help-seeking, while discussing them with friends and family can facilitate the decision to seek medical advice (Odongo et al, 2015).

Relationships are a Major Key to Success Life is hard, and it is necessary for us humans to have a friend to help cope with it all. A friend is with you through thick and thin; giving moral support and celebrate your victories. Many social science studies are backing up that friendship, love, and compassion are keys to a joyus and healthful life. However this fact is not new, Mary Shelley knew love was mandatory for any person to thrive even back in 1818 when she wrote the book Frankenstein.

(3b) Studies have shown the effects of social relations on psychological wellbeing, where high quality relationships between individuals decrease the

It is hypothesized that parents of a child with a disability will show fewer declines in cognitive functioning with age if they received a social support intervention, especially among parents who reported the highest levels of chronic stress. Implications of this finding would include the necessity for providing interventions to new parents of a child with a disability. It would be understood that positive social support would be a protective factor against a higher rate of cognitive decline among parents of a child with a disability, which would emphasize the need to provide positive social support to new parents, especially to parents of a child with a disability with lower reported social support.

Studies have shown the effects of social relations on psychological wellbeing, where high quality relationships between individuals decrease the negative effects of mental disorders like anxiety and depression, and increase longevity. In reducing anxiety and depression, cardiovascular health is increased and the chances of risky coping behaviors such as smoking, drinking, and suicide are decreased. Typically, it is found that women form these higher quality relationships more frequently than men. Higher female survivorship could also be the result of more proactive behaviors for preventive treatment for mental and physical health issues, where early detection and treatment can prevent illnesses from becoming fatal. In general, increased tobacco

The lack of social support can be a disadvantage that precipitates the collapse of both physical and mental health in individuals. The presence of social support, on the other hand, can benefit individuals, whether they suffer from a disease or from coping with life stress. Although social support does not absolutely prevent someone from getting a disease, it provides a coping mechanism so that the patient feels cared for in the midst of his or her suffering. For example, one afternoon, a well-controlled HIV patient came to his doctor’s visit and started questioning the importance of taking medications, stating that he was no longer willing to try anymore and felt isolated from his environment. After a long session, the doctor advised him to continue to take his medications as it is the only way to keep the virus under control and maybe benefit from the next breakthrough in HIV treatment. He was also advised to see a counselor to help him cope with his depression. Talking to a counselor is undoubtedly an efficient tool, but it is important that we, as a society, help individuals in distress by creating more receptive communities. As much as it is of paramount importance to treat patients with the necessary drugs and therapy, mental and social factors, when taken into account, do have positive

As a result social is really important because your caring to that person you talking. For example Jessica had that trust tell me she was a single mother. This means it belongs to that trust gives us a sense of identity. It helps us understand who we are and feel part of something larger than ourselves. The book refers with strong social connections have less stress-related health problems, lower risk of mental illness, and faster recovery from trauma or illness. Friends and family can also encourage and support us in healthy lifestyle habits, such as exercise and

So the social structures, divisions and agencies which underpin society influence friendships. Analysis has identified many different types and formations of friendship of varying degrees of intimacy. Perhaps the key to understanding friendship is to understand that different friendships thrive in accordance with the different needs of each person, and that finding a person who or a friendship which meets personal expectations is where the relevance lies. A ‘symbolic interactionist’ sociological approach to future research would ascertain how that understanding between two people is reached. So, friendship exists within the social and economic context in which it was formed, and if this context alters, so does the nature of the friendship. The way in which humans manage and create friendships reacts to changes and evolves in order to sustain itself as part of the human condition. This is evidence of the value and necessity of human connection, be it friends or family, to the life experience. Studying friendship provides knowledge of social developments and changes. This is valuable in understanding human interaction and future policy within health and

Studies of mortality, which included social relationships as a metric, determined social relationships have a significant causal relationship to mortality. (Holt-Lunstad, Smith & Layton, 2010) More studies have been done on social relationships however; the mechanisms of how social relationships affect our health are still unclear. (2010) Relationships and their effect on health status continue to be an important area of research and analysis. Social relationships are a determinant which can be addressed at a community level. One key principle outlined by the Commission of European Communities report was not just looking at mortality rates, but also focusing on the quality of life during the

Studies have shown that people with strong relations with family, friends, and others are generally happier and their lives are extended by a few years. The human compulsion for company is inevitable. Like how a fish needs its gills, humans need humans. Relationships relieve stress. Being committed to your bond with someone is linked to the slowed production of cortisol, a stress hormone. It's natural for people to want to be needed. Many people strive to feel they are doing something commendable for someone. Having a strong relationship fulfills this. Psychologically, it can induce someone to feel like they have a purpose. Having a special bond with someone “can make wonders in the lives of each of us” (Vennapoosa).