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Socially inhibited individuals show heightened DTH response during intense social engagement.

To determine whether altered cellular immune response might mediate the increased health risks associated with social inhibition, we examined delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses in 36 adults under conditions of low and high intensity social engagement. Participants come from a study of psychological factors in functional bowel disease and fibromyalgia. Under high engagement conditions, socially inhibited individuals showed significantly increased induration in response to intradermal tetanus toxoid. Under low engagement conditions, these individuals showed less pronounced DTH responses that did not differ in magnitude from those of uninhibited individuals. This pattern of results was found using two different measures of social inhibition and was independent of social inhibition's definition as a continuously distributed trait vs a discrete category. These data are consistent with the general hypothesis that social inhibition represents a predisposition to physiologic hyperresponsiveness that requires an exogenous social trigger for expression.

Adult↗

The interpretation of negative social events in social phobia: changes during treatment and relationship to outcome.

Catastrophic interpretations of negative social events are considered to be an important factor underlying social phobia. This study investigated the extent to which these interpretative biases change during cognitive-behavioural treatment for social phobia, and examined whether within-treatment changes in different types of interpretations predict longer-term treatment outcome. Results showed that treatment was associated with decreases in various types of maladaptive interpretations of negative social events, but that social phobia symptoms 3 months after treatment were independently predicted only by within-treatment reductions in the degree to which individuals personally believed that negative social events were indicative of unfavourable self-characteristics. These findings are discussed in relation to cognitive models of the maintenance of social anxiety, and implications for treatment are considered.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

The interpretation of negative social events in social phobia with versus without comorbid mood disorder.

Two studies were conducted in order to examine biases in the interpretation of negative social events among socially anxious individuals. Results showed that social anxiety was associated with the tendency to believe that negative social events: would result in negative evaluation by other people; were actually indicative of negative personal characteristics; and would have adverse consequences in the long-term future. Although other types of anxiety were not independently associated with such beliefs, comorbid depression among individuals with social phobia was associated with further increases in these interpretative biases. The findings are consistent with theories suggesting that maladaptive interpretations of negative social events represent central cognitive biases in social phobia, but suggest that these interpretations are also associated with depression.

Adolescent↗

Psychometric properties of the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale and separation criterion between Spanish youths with and without subtypes of social anxiety.

In this study, we analyzed the reliability and validity of the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS) and propose a separation criterion between youths with specific and generalized social anxiety and youths without social anxiety. A sample of 1012 Spanish youths attending school completed the SIAS, the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, the Social Avoidance and Distress Scale, the Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale, the Youth Self-Report for Ages 11-18 and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Adolescent. The factor analysis suggests the existence of three factors in the SIAS, the first two of which explain most of the variance of the construct assessed. Internal consistency is adequate in the first two factors. The SIAS features an adequate theoretical validity with the scores of different variables related to social interaction. Analysis of the criterion scores yields three groups pertaining to three clearly differentiated clusters. In the third cluster, two of social anxiety groups - specific and generalized - have been identified by means of a quantitative separation criterion.

Adolescent↗

Social anxiety and interpersonal perception: a social relations model analysis.

Cognitive models of social phobia posit that an individual's negative beliefs about the way he or she is perceived by others (metaperceptions) are a core feature of the disorder. The social relations model () was used to analyze interpersonal perception data collected following unstructured social interactions in 62 socially anxious (SA) and 62 not socially anxious (NSA) individuals. Using this model, the interpersonal perceptions were analyzed to evaluate whether pathological levels of social anxiety are associated with self-perceptions, metaperceptions, and perceptions from others. SA participants saw themselves negatively and believed others saw them negatively. Although seen as more nervous by others, SA participants were not seen as less likeable. A mediational model demonstrated that the negative metaperceptions of SA individuals were more a function of their own self-perceptions than the negative perceptions of others. These findings were not attributable to depressive symptoms. Implications for theory and treatment of social phobia are discussed.

Adult↗

Effects of interrupted social contact on the social behaviour of calves and piglets.

The use of traditional operant conditioning techniques to assess the behavioural needs of farm animals has been criticised because presenting short rewards repeatedly may interrupt bouts of behaviour and thereby devalue the reward. The two reported experiments (one including 12 calves and one including 12 piglets) aimed to investigate if interruption of social contact affects social behaviour. In both experiments, animals were housed in pairs (one test animal and one companion animal) in large pens with solid sides. The experiment included three periods: a pre-test period, a test period and a post-test period. Animals were separated for 24 h and then reunited for 24 h in each period. In the test period, the first 42 min of contact after reunification comprised 12 successive 3.5 min long periods separated by gaps, whereas in the pre- and post-test periods, the contact was continuous. Calves sniffed and licked each other more when social contact was interrupted (P<0.01), but no effects of interrupting social contact were found for social or locomotor play. In piglets, the test animals performed more flank pushing of the companion (P<0.01), and avoided the companion more (P<0.05), when social contact was interrupted, while no effects of interruption were found for parallel pressing, bites and head knocks, sniffing or locomotor play. The results suggest that if social contact is interrupted in an operant conditioning set up, some elements of aggressive behaviour may be stimulated in piglets.

Journal Article↗

Influence of neuroticism, ethnicity, familism, and social support on perceived burden in dementia caregivers: pilot test of the transactional stress and social support model.

In this study we assessed the new transactional stress and social support model, postulating the role of neuroticism, ethnicity, familism, and social support in perceived burden in dementia caregivers. We used a convenience sample (N=77) of African American and White dementia caregivers. Results substantiated interrelationships among social support variables, and the influence of perceived positive social support on burden. Neuroticism was related to the perception of positive social support and burden. Results corroborated the model, focusing on neuroticism and quality of social support in modeling perceived burden in family caregivers. Findings call attention to the role of presumably long-standing individual differences in neuroticism that influence caregiver appraisals of stress and social support.

Aged↗

The influence of social structure on social isolation in amphetamine-treated Java monkeys (Macaca fascicularis).

Amphetamine-induced social isolation in monkeys has often been considered a valid animal model for certain negative symptoms of schizophrenia. However, there appear to be many ambiguities in relation to the exact nature of the isolation. Therefore, the effect of orally administered amphetamine (AMP) on the occurrence of social isolation in Java monkeys was studied. In part I the rank dependency of the effects of AMP (0.5mg/kg) was investigated in four alpha-males and three beta-males. AMP increased 'proximity' and 'passive groom', and decreased 'active allogroom' in alpha-males. In contrast, AMP decreased all three behavioural elements to a certain extent in beta-males. It is concluded that AMP induces social isolation in beta-males, but not in alpha-males. In part II of this study the AMP-induced behaviour of the treated monkey and the simultaneously occurring changes in the non-treated monkeys were investigated in a detailed study of a single social group. AMP significantly reduced the frequency of 'exploration', 'locomotion', 'self-groom', 'swing', 'active groom', 'inspect', 'approach' and originally-present stereotypies. Thus AMP apparently reduces the ability to initiate behaviour which is characteristic for the adult animal. AMP did not affect the frequency of 'present' and 'play' and enhanced that of 'aggression' and 'fear' in the beta-male; it also elicited various juvenile-like behaviours in both alpha- and beta-males, suggesting that AMP induces a behavioural regression. Furthermore, the behaviour of the non-treated monkeys of the group was decisive for the occurrence of social isolation of the treated monkey. Thus, the effects of AMP on the social behaviour of Java monkeys depend on the individual sensitivity, the social position which the subject occupies in its group, and the behaviour of the partners of the treated subject.

Journal Article↗

Social complexity and social intelligence.

When we talk of the 'nature of intelligence', or any other attribute, we may be referring to its essential structure, or to its place in nature, particularly the function it has evolved to serve. Here I examine both, from the perspective of the evolution of intelligence in primates. Over the last 20 years, the Social (or 'Machiavellian') Intelligence Hypothesis has gained empirical support. Its core claim is that the intelligence of primates is primarily an adaptation to the special complexities of primate social life. In addition to this hypothesis about the function of intellect, a secondary claim is that the very structure of intelligence has been moulded to be 'social' in character, an idea that presents a challenge to orthodox views of intelligence as a general-purpose capacity. I shall outline the principal components of social intelligence and the environment of social complexity it engages with. This raises the question of whether domain specificity is an appropriate characterization of social intelligence and its subcomponents, like theory of mind. As a counter-argument to such specificity I consider the hypothesis that great apes exhibit a cluster of advanced cognitive abilities that rest on a shared capacity for second-order mental representation.

Animals↗

Cancer patients and their network: the meaning of the social network and social interactions for quality of life.

A lot of research is carried out on the subject of social relations and quality of life. One should find at least some indication for an association between the social environment and quality of life of cancer patients; will interventions be appropriate and well-considered? But until now, less has been known about the association between the social network of cancer patients and their quality of life. In this study, the way in which the patients' network can effect their quality of life is examined. Two patient groups are distinguished: a group of cancer patients recently treated for their cancer by surgery and a group treated by chemotherapy (n = 108 and n = 109) and these are compared with a disease-free group of cancer patients (n = 192). Although an association between network, social relations and quality of life is found, only a small part of the variation in quality of life can be explained by this social component. It seems that the cancer itself and the cancer treatment mainly affect the patients' quality of life and that the impact of the social environment is less significant.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗

Social support and self-esteem as intervening variables in the relationship between social roles and women's well-being.

The effects of social roles on women's well-being are explored in an analysis which incorporates social support and self-esteem as intervening variables. The impact of roles on well-being is expected to occur primarily through these intervening variables. An analysis of a national sample of adult women reveals that the only social roles to impact well-being through effects on social support or self-esteem are employment and parenthood. Results indicate that parenthood has a weak positive effect on support and marriage reduces levels of distress. Employment does not enhance well-being via social support but does have a positive effect on self-esteem. Community programs which encourage social participation and which involve esteem enhancing activities are recommended.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Social adaptation of mentally retarded adults in community settings: a social-ecological approach.

Evidence regarding the social networks of mentally retarded adults in community settings is reviewed. These networks appear to be widespread and consist primarily of peers. The social ecology of community settings is a critical factor in the development and maintenance of these networks. Given the considerable importance of such networks to the social support of nondisabled adults, the furtherance of peer support among mentally disabled adults appears to be a desirable goal. Some approaches to achieving this goal were suggested. Carefully consideration of the social ecology of community settings for mentally disabled adults may usefully supplement individual social skills training as a method for improving social adaptation to community life.

Adult↗

Methodological issues in social support and social network research.

With the plethora of articles describing a relationship between social support and/or social network and health status, it was considered useful to take stock of the current status of research in this area, focusing on two critical methodological issues: clarity of definition, and validity and reliability of the measurement instruments. Of the 33 instruments reviewed only modest agreement was found in conceptual definition, and frequently the concepts were not defined or ill-defined. Of particular concern is the definitional confusion between social support and social network. Variables used to operationalize these concepts confirm this lack of specificity and ambiguity in definition. As for validity and reliability, many of the investigators reported no data on these issues; others provided information that only modestly supported the validity or reliability of their instrument. The conclusion of this assessment suggests the need to clarify the essential elements of social support and social networks in order to better distinguish between the behavioral (support) and structural (network) variables that may be affecting health status. A question is also raised as to the likelihood of a single questionnaire being designed that would accurately measure the perceptions of support or supportive behaviors in the variety of supportive research that will continue to be studied. Finally, more rigorous standards need to be used by investigators in establishing the validity and reliability of the instruments in order to improve their predictive utility.

Data Collection↗

Drugs, sex and social science: social science research and health policy in Australia.

Social science health research in Australia has undergone considerable expansion through government sponsorship of projects that complement or address issues related directly to policy and program concerns. In examining the rationale for supporting social science research, and the difficulties that social scientists often face in return in presenting their work in ways that might optimize funding, the paper first explores the paradigmatic tensions between social and biomedical scientists, that in turn influence funding decisions and potentially the receipt and uptake of social research. It also addresses the incorporation of the language and concepts of social science within policy documents, using 'ethnicity' as an exemplar of this. The paper then documents and analyses federal targeted-funding programs for health research, and the measures taken to encourage policy-relevant research. In particular, the paper discusses the funding programs that operate for drug and alcohol use and HIV/AIDS.

Australia↗

Assessing the social class of children from parental information to study possible social inequalities in health outcomes.

PURPOSE: When the subjects are children, the assessment of social class must be made indirectly from parental data. We propose correspondence analysis as a method for combining parental information. METHODS: Four assessment methods were used: father's occupation, mother's occupation, dominant occupation of both, and both combined by means of a correspondence analysis. The results were used to explore social inequalities in dental health. We used data from a survey performed on school children (12- and 15-16-year olds) in the Comunitat Valenciana (Spain). Dental health was measured through prevalence of caries, number of teeth with caries, number of caries in permanent teeth, decayed, missing, and filled teeth score (DMF-T), decayed, missing, and filled surface score (DMF-S), prevalence of DMF>0, community periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN) and prevalence of CPITN>0. RESULTS: Correspondence analysis methods reflect the impact of social class on health indicators. They were able to assign a social group to all individuals. The association between social class and oral health was found to be sensitive to the method used. CONCLUSIONS: Pooling information from both parents is important. Evidence of social inequalities in oral health may or may not be obtained depending on the method used.

Adolescent↗

Ethnic differences in social participation and social capital in Malmö, Sweden: a population-based study.

The aim of this study was to investigate ethnic differences in different aspects of social participation in Malmö, Sweden. The public health survey in Malmö 1994 is a cross-sectional study. A total of 5600 randomly chosen individuals aged 20-80 years were asked to complete a postal questionnaire. The participation rate was 71%. The population was divided into categories born in Sweden, Denmark/Norway, other Western countries, former Yugoslavia, Poland, Arabic speaking countries and all other countries. The age-adjusted and multivariate analyses were performed using a logistic regression model in order to investigate the importance of possible confounders (age, education, economic stress and unemployment) on the differences by country of origin in different aspects of social participation. Men and women born in Arabic speaking countries and other countries (Iran, Turkey, Vietnam, Chile and subsaharan Africa) participate to a significantly lower extent in a variety of civic and social activities when compared to the reference population born in Sweden. The differences in participation in these groups compared to the group born in Sweden are observed both for social participation items at the core of the definition of social capital and cultural and other activities unrelated to social capital. This pattern is particularly pronounced for women born in Arabic speaking countries. These women even sharply differ from the participation rates of men born in Arabic speaking countries. The ethnic differences in most cases do not seem to be explained satisfactorily by education, economic stress or possibly unemployment.

Adult↗

Is subjective social status a more important determinant of health than objective social status? Evidence from a prospective observational study of Scottish men.

Both subjective and objective measures of lower social position have been shown to be associated with poorer health. A psychosocial, as opposed to material, aetiology of health inequalities predicts that subjective social status should be a stronger determinant of health than objective social position. In a workplace based prospective study of 5232 Scottish men recruited in the early 1970s and followed up for 25 years we examined the association between objective and subjective indices of social position, perceived psychological stress, cardiovascular disease risk factors and subsequent health. Lower social position, whether indexed by more objective or more subjective measures, was consistently associated with an adverse profile of established disease risk factors. Perceived stress showed the opposite association. The main subjective social position measure used was based on individual perceptions of workplace status (as well as their actual occupation, men were asked whether they saw themselves as "employees", "foremen", or "managers"). Compared to foremen, employees had a small and imprecisely estimated increased risk of all cause mortality, whereas managers had a more marked decreased risk. The strongest predictors of increased mortality were father's manual as opposed to non-manual occupation; lack of car access and shorter stature, (an indicator of material deprivation in childhood). In the fully adjusted analyses, perceived work-place status was only weakly associated with mortality. In this population it appears that objective material circumstances, particularly in early life, are a more important determinant of health than perceptions of relative status. Conversely, higher perceived stress was not associated with poorer health, presumably because, in this population, higher stress was not associated with material disadvantage. Together these findings suggest that, rather than targeting perceptions of disadvantage and associated negative emotions, interventions to reduce health inequalities should aim to reduce objective material disadvantage, particularly that experienced in early life.

Administrative Personnel↗

Intragenerational mobility and mortality in Oslo: social selection versus social causation.

We investigate the relative importance of the selection and causation hypotheses of social inequalities in mortality, and estimate upper and lower bounds for the gender-specific mobility effects. For all inhabitants of Oslo aged 50-69 years in 1990, we knew their social class in 1960 and 1980 and whether they died between 1990 and 1994. Analysing these data with diagonal reference models, we found those moving upwards in the social hierarchy to have lower mortality rates than their class of origin but higher mortality rates than their class of destination. A corresponding pattern was found for those moving downwards. Thus, social mobility may increase or constrict the social class mortality divide. We estimated the upper bound to the mobility effect to be an increase of 52% for males and 28% for females (situation of no causation) and the lower bound to be a decrease of 24% for males and 21% for females (situation of no selection). Because both selection and causation effects are expected to play a role and to work in opposite directions, the resulting effect of social mobility on the mortality divide may be rather small.

Adult↗