1. Social Support and housing options for people with disabilities Michael Browne PhD Research Fellow Child and Family Research Centre NUI Galway 18 May 2010

2. Social Supports Social support refers to the function and quality of social relationships, such as perceived availability of help or support actually received. It may be regarded as - resources provided by others, - coping assistance - an exchange of resources

3. Social Support Formal vs. informal Received vs. perceived Structural vs. functional Group vs. individual Direct support vs. enhancing natural support systems

4. Informal/Formal Networks Informal Networks -- family members, friends as social groups/organizations -- typically provide social support for daily life routines. Formal Networks – Professionals (e.g., physicians, social workers, care workers ) Agencies (e.g., hospitals, health departments, residential services, and early intervention programs) formally organized to provide assistance and aid to individuals with specific needs.

5. Received/Perceived Received social support is defined in terms of behaviours that actually assist the individual in accomplishing a goal. Perceived social support refers to the recipients’ understanding regarding the support provided by others. Here the recipient simply interprets the behaviours and intentions of others as being helpful. Satisfaction with one's social support network means not only that there is an availability of social support, but that it is at the desired level.

6. Perceived Social Support Conceptualizing social support in terms of individuals’ perception of social support is regarded as the most important aspect of the social support process. A 1994 study of parents of children with developmental disabilities found that parental views of the nature of support provided by others were related to satisfaction with support rather than the amount of support received. Dunst, C. J., Trivette, C. M., Hamby, D. W. (1994). Measuring social support in families with young children with disabilities. inn C. J. Dunst, C. M. Trivette, & A. G. Deal (eds.), Supporting and strengthening families: Methods, strategies, and practices (pp. 152–160). Cambridge, MA: Brookline Books

7. Structural/Functional Structural measures include characteristics such as the size, range, and interconnectedness of the social support networks. Generally define the existence or lack of fundamental social relationships and ties. Functional measures of social support, on the other hand, refer to the emotional, informational, and instrumental qualities of the social support network.

8. Emotional Supports Emotional support is characterized by behaviours such as an expression of love, care and solidarity, and fulfilment of personal needs. Emotional support involves verbal and nonverbal communication of caring and concern which reduces distress, fosters self-esteem and permits the expression of feelings.

9. Informational Support Informational support is defined by materials providing, knowledge, educational support, training and resources that empower individuals to improve their current situation. Informational support is seen as enhancing perceptions of control by reducing confusion and providing people with strategies to cope with their difficulties.

10. Instrumental Support Instrumental support is a tangible action that enables another person to carry out his/her personal responsibilities. The instrumental qualities of social support include assistance such as goods, services, money, and helping with practical tasks.

11. Group/Individual Interventions clearly differ in whether a group or individual format is used. Depending on the individual and on the existing social context, a group or individual support intervention may be the most effective. A key consideration is that group formats tend to be more cost-effective. Both group and individual interventions may involve the provision of support through family and/or friends, peers, professionals and skills training.

12. Direct Support/ Enhancing Natural Support Systems This distinction refers to whether a given intervention is targeted at directly providing support (e.g., instrumental support) or whether it is targeted at producing lasting changes in the naturally occurring support environment (e.g., developing or improving social skills or making changes in social networks).

13. Direct Support/ Enhancing Natural Support Systems These two different approaches have different conceptual underpinnings. Support provided by others is believed to strengthen coping resources, render a sense of being supported, and ultimately lead to a reduction in psychological or general health symptoms. Interventions targeted at enhancing social skills or improving the naturally occurring social environment are based on the belief that people can create and maintain support systems (or their perception of the support received from these systems) if they acquire the necessary skills.

14. Social Support: Key Questions Are the social support interventions within the specific “category” effective or not? If so, what kind of effects (i.e., quality of life, psychological or health outcome) are observed? Are effects maintained over the long term? If mixed results are observed, the possible reasons for intervention success and failure need to be examined.

15. Housing related support Help with setting up a home Developing home management skills Emotional support and guidance Developing personal safety and security Being included in the community Establishment of support networks Connection with various community resources – recreational, training, education Resettlement Support (help to move on)

16. Key Concepts Integrated communities Building community capacity Life-cycle approach Mainstreaming Citizenship and social solidarity Person-centred Planning

17. Questions for Discussion Implications for developing social supports in a truly mainstreaming approach to housing provision for people with disabilities? Respective responsibilities of the individual, the State, the family, the neighbourhood/community? Implications of the distinction between ‘actual’ and ‘perceived’ social support impact on people with a disability? What are ‘reasonable’ State resources for housing and related social supports taking into account rights, equality, social solidarity and citizenship? What is the balance between enhancing the ‘natural’ support system and providing external supports? Implications for self-directed payments