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2. Social Support William R. Brieger, MPH, CHES, DrPH
Johns Hopkins University 1

3. Definitions and Theories
Section A
Definitions and Theories 2

4. Social Support ◆ “Social support is a feedback provided
via contact with similar and valued
peers” —Gottlieb, 1985
◆ Emotional: Affect, esteem, concern
◆ Instrumental: Aid in labor, money, time
◆ Informational: Suggestions, advice,
information
◆ Appraisal: Feedback, affirmation
Continued 3

5. Social Support ◆Support systems “help the individual
mobilize his psychological resources
and master his psychological,
emotional burdens; they share his
tasks; and they supply him with extra
supplies of money, materials, tools,
skills, and cognitive guidance to
improve his handling of his situation.”
— Caplan, 1974
Continued 4

6. Social Support ◆Social support: “Feedback from a
primary group that is health protective,
during times of stress”
— Cassel, 1976 5

7. Links Between Behavior Models and Social Network Theory
◆ Health belief model
– Cues to action: Other people
provide information,
encouragement to undertake, or
refrain from recommended actions
– Modifying factors: Membership in
social groups provides context for
beliefs and perceptions
Continued 6

8. Links Between Behavior Models and Social Network Theory
◆Social learning theory
– The (social) environment: The
social environment is the context in
which people observe new
behavior and evaluate the
implications directly or vicariously
of new behavior
Continued 7

9. Links Between Behavior Models and Social Network Theory
◆Ecological model
– Interpersonal level: Group
membership provides a context in
which behavior can be encouraged
or discouraged and a means for
interpreting acceptable behavior 8

10. More Links ◆PRECEDE – Reinforcing factors:
Attitudes/behaviors of significant
others that encourage or dissuade
action
Continued 9

11. More Links ◆Theory of reasoned action
– External factors: Attitudes toward
reference groups
– Subjective perceptions of norms:
This component is especially
relevant to appraisal and feedback
types of social support
Continued 10

12. More Links ◆Diffusion theory – Characteristics of change agent:
Homophilous communication within
primary groups and channels of
communication—that is, better
communication and information
flow within groups that share
common characteristics 11

13. Social Support Mediates Between Individual and Environment
Social Support and ANC Registration
in Moniya, Nigeria
Support Score
Trimester 12

14. A Social Network ◆ “A specific set of linkages among a
defined set of persons, with the
additional property that the
characteristics of these linkages as a
whole can be used to interpret the
social behavior of the persons
Involved”
— Mitchell, 1980 13

15. Relationships and Structures
Section B
Relationships and Structures 14

16. Relationships and Structures John Scott
◆ Relational data are central to the
principle concerns of the sociological
tradition, with its emphasis on the
structure of social action
◆ Structures are built through
relationships, and the structural
concerns of sociology can be pursued
through the collection and analysis of
relational data
Continued 15

17. Relationships and Structures John Scott
◆Social network concepts originally
derived from textile metaphors of
social fabric, web, interweaving, and
interlocking 16

18. Social networks are units of identity
(Wearing Egbe with stripes) 17

19. Wearing the same cloth at a Yoruba ceremony is
a means of establishing social identity 18

20. Groups provide support: Emotional, material,
informational, and feedback 19

21. Networks are often informal, built from daily interactions—
such as working together,
Continued 20

22. Selling goods
Continued 21

23. Cooking for ceremonies
Continued 22

24. Relaxing after a day’s work23

25. Providing instrumental support, like helping roof a
house, is a key social network function
Continued 24

26. And while the men put on the roof,
women prepare a meal for all 25

27. Members of a social
network provide
emotional support
during difficult times
Continued 26

28. The household, in its various forms, is a basic social network27

29. Married Couples Need Social Support
◆ Marriages may be arranged or
negotiated so that there is a
commitment between families
◆ Both families try to make the marriage
work and solve problems/conflicts
◆ In arranged marriages, partners know
the importance of compromise
◆ The marriage is seen as a productive
unit 28

30. A married couple 29

31. The Household Economy ◆Income, accessing external resources
◆Allocation and expenditure
◆Decision making and bargaining
◆Productive activities inside the
household
◆Individual member health status as a
result of the above processes 30

32. Formal networks often form around economic interests:
A beauticians’ society at a town celebration 31

33. Traders from
neighboring villages
form an association
that sets prices and
oversees sales; if one
member is sick,
another can take his
or her crops to market
for sale 32

34. The yam sellers meet
together to set prices
and review quality;
these groups also get
together for social
occasions, such as
celebrating when one
of their members has
a naming ceremony or
has a child who gets
his “freedom” from
apprenticeship 33

35. In the sixth century, Mayan astronomers held conferences to decide about leap year and other professional matters 34