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PubMed1998

Maintaining Vegetarian Diets Personal Factors, Social Networks and Environmental Resources.

This study was designed to investigate factors influencing the maintenance of a vegetarian diet. An interpretivist approach and qualitative research methods were used in the study design. Nineteen vegetarians from a metropolitan area in Western New York State were purposefully recruited using snowball sampling to participate in in-depth interviews. Respondents varied in age, gender and type and duration of vegetarian diet, although the sample was predominantly middle-aged, middle-class and female and had ties to community groups. Interview transcripts were analyzed using the constant comparative method of qualitative data analysis. The maintenance of vegetarian diets was supported by personal factors, social networks and environmental resources. Personal factors included: internal beliefs, skills and habits and physical feedback. Social networks included: organized vegetarian groups as well as animal rights, environmental, or health groups supporting vegetarianism and vegetarian friends. Environmental resources, such as the availability of new vegetarian foods in supermarkets and restaurants, facilitated maintenance of vegetarian diets. Respondents perceived that society viewed vegetarianism as increasingly "mainstream," although diet-centred family conflicts were still common. These findings can assist dietitians in developing strategies for working with vegetarian clients by providing better understanding of personal, social and environmental supports for vegetarians' dietary behaviours.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1987

Social network stimulation. Health promotion in a high risk group of middle-aged women.

The article focuses on presenting methods developed in a network stimulation program among a high-risk group of middle-aged women living in Oslo, Norway. The aim of the program was to initiate in the women a process of getting acquainted, and even making friends, - and thus establishing new self-sustaining social networks. In the long run we believed such new relations would increase the quality of life and improve the overall mental health of the participants. During the program period of one year different groups and social activities were established in the neighborhood. Out of 50 women in the experimental group, 26 became active participants. Evaluation of the process was made at certain stages during the entire program. After one year of group participation, the progress of the experimental group (n = 50) was compared to that of the control group (n = 50). The results show that the women participating in the intervention program have improved their social networks and increased their quality of life and self-esteem compared to the control group. As to mental symptoms, it seems that their change depends on the degree of activity in the groups: the most active participants make friends, improve their existing networks, increase quality of life, and improve mental status. The passive participants, on the contrary, do not seem to have profited from the program so far. The full effect of the program will be evaluated in a later follow-up.

Female↗
PubMed2003

Gender differences in street economy and social network correlates of arrest among heroin injectors in Baltimore, Maryland.

In a sample of 761 heroin injectors in Baltimore, Maryland, correlates of arrest for drug-related and non-drug-related criminal offenses, by gender, were examined. This investigation examined gender differences in involvement in the drug economy and correlates of arrest. Correlates included roles in the street drug economy, social network attributes, and economic and demographic variables. Gender differences were found. Selling drugs was strongly associated with drug-related arrests for males. Steering (i.e., publicizing drug brands) was highly associated with drug-related arrests for females. Level of heroin addiction was associated with drug-related arrests for males, but not for females. The associations of social network variables with arrests also differed by gender. For females but not males, a higher number of females in one's network was associated with a lower frequency of arrests. For males, having at least one heroin injector in the personal network was associated with a decreased frequency of arrest, while for females the direction of the association was reversed. These findings suggest the importance of modeling drug behaviors by gender.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Social networks and patterns of use among the poor with mental health problems in Puerto Rico.

OBJECTIVES: This study uses the recently developed Network-Episode Model (NEM) to examine the nature and correlates of utilization among Puerto Ricans reporting mental health problems. The NEM highlights two issues: (1) examining the patterns or combinations of lay and formal use that individuals employ and (2) reformulating how the availability and content of social networks influences patterns of care. METHODS: Using data from the 1989 Mental Health Care Utilization Among Puerto Ricans Study (probability sample of 1,777 individuals living in low-income areas of the island), the authors focus on the patterns and correlates of use for 365 Puerto Ricans reporting service use for mental health problems in the previous year. RESULTS: A combination of clustering and multinomial logit techniques indicates that there are six unique care patterns. Two patterns include the use of mental health providers and are associated with different contingencies. CONCLUSIONS: In general, patterns of use are shaped by age, education, gender, and illness severity. Larger, more supportive networks decrease the use of patterns of care that include formal health care providers, and decrease direct entry into the mental health sector. These results are in line with NEM's predictions for lower class populations and help clarify inconsistencies in previous research on social networks. The implications of this perspective for health services research and treatment are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Social network, alcohol drinking habits and injuries caused by violence among women and men in the county of Akershus. Results from anonymous questionnaires among persons aged 40-42 years. 1990-91].

All residents aged 40-42 in Akershus county were invited to screening for cardiovascular risk factors in 1990-91 as part of a prevention programme. Of the 13,607 attendants, 8,960 answered an anonymous questionnaire about social network, drinking habits, and injuries due to violence. Compared with data from the Central Bureau of Statistics, our material included a high percentage of persons with a higher education, a high percentage of married persons, and a low percentage of persons living alone. Results in respect of social network and drinking habits roughly agreed with those of other studies. Of the males, 15.7% had been injured at least once as a result of violence, most often assault and robbery. Of the females, the corresponding percentage was 18.1. Here the dominating forms of violence were maltreatment, threats and sexual assault. Females were more often exposed than males to repeated violence and more often suffered persisting problems as a result of maltreatment. Compared with other studies, we found a high prevalence of injuries from violence among females, suggesting underreporting of experiences of violence by females in studies based on personal interview or the hospitals' injury register.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cross-cultural analysis of longevity among Swedish and American elders: the role of social networks in the Gothenburg and Missouri longitudinal studies compared.

This paper reports the results of a cross-national comparison of the 'H70' longitudinal study of elders in Gothenburg, Sweden, with the 'Rural Missouri Elders' longitudinal study in Missouri, USA. Analysis of the combined data sets focused on the question of how longevity was affected by culturally divergent forms of social network participation. The H70 study was a representative, systematic 3/10 sample of 70-year-old (in 1971) men and women living in Gothenburg. Follow-up data was gathered when the respondents were 75, 79, 81, 82, 83, 85, 88, 90 and 95 years of age. Face-to-face interviews and physical medical examinations were the major source of data. The Missouri study involved a representative cluster proportional-to-size sample of all rural Missourians 65 years of age and older. Face-to-face interviews were conducted in 1966, 1974 and 1987. Logistic regression and cross-tabular analyses revealed that social networks were important predictors of longevity for both samples. However, marital status and participation in formal organizations predicted longevity for the Americans, whereas contact with children emerged as the predictor variable for the Swedes. Specific functions of the different network patterns in the two countries are discussed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

A practical guide to social networks.

Saying that networks are important is stating the obvious. But harnessing the power of these seemingly invisible groups to achieve organizational goals is an elusive undertaking. Most efforts to promote collaboration are haphazard and built on the implicit philosophy that more connectivity is better. In truth, networks create relational demands that sap people's time and energy and can bog down entire organizations. It's crucial for executives to learn how to promote connectivity only where it benefits an organization or individual and to decrease unnecessary connections. In this article, the authors introduce three types of social networks, each of which delivers unique value. The customized response network excels at framing the ambiguous problems involved in innovation. Strategy consulting firms and new-product development groups rely on this format. By contrast, surgical teams and law firms rely mostly on the modular response network, which works best when components of the problem are known but the sequence of those components in the solution is unknown. And the routine response network is best suited for organizations like call centers, where the problems and solutions are fairly predictable but collaboration is still needed. Executives shouldn't simply hope that collaboration will spontaneously occur in the right places atthe right times in their organization. They need to develop a strategic, nuanced view of collaboration, and they must take steps to ensure that their companies support the types of social networks that best fit their goals. Drawing on examples from Novartis, the FAA, and Sallie Mae, the authors offer managers the tools they need to determine which network will deliver the best results for their organizations and which strategic investments will nurture the right degree of connectivity.

Commerce↗
PubMed2001

A preventable outbreak of tuberculosis investigated through an intricate social network.

In 1998, a city in Indiana reported 4-fold increase in the number of cases of tuberculosis (TB). An investigation to assess the increase in cases and to identify possible epidemiologic links among persons with TB identified 41 cases of active TB. Epidemiologic links and/or matching DNA fingerprints were identified for 31 patients (76%). The majority of these patients were members of a single social network within the community. Links for most of these patients were identified after multiple interviews with patients and their contacts. TB control activities in the county were limited prior to the identification of the outbreak. At least 24 cases may have been preventable. This outbreak may have been prevented with prompt case identification and effective contact tracing and screening during the years before the outbreak. The use of social networks should be considered in the investigation of outbreaks that involve difficult-to-reach populations. TB control measures should be maintained in areas with historically low TB incidence.

Community-Acquired Infections↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Utilization of prenatal care services: influence of perceived morbidity and of social networks of support].

Differences in prenatal help seeking patterns were found in a sample of women of a household survey (9,139) that showed a high prenatal care coverage. The personal factors associated with the help seeking behavior were: the nature and individual perception of the symptoms and the existence of social support networks. Symptoms that make woman suspect of risk, produced a high demand of medical consultation (between 75 and 100%). Bothersome symptoms produced a medium utilization associated with its prevalence. Emotional symptoms produced a low demand of medical consultation (between 18 and 27%). Pregnant women who obtained support from their social networks consulted the doctor 3.3 times as much as those who didn't have a social network. The reinforcement of women's interaction with their natural social network is recommended as one of the basic components of prenatal care.

Female↗
PubMed1991

Social networks, health, and emotional well-being among the oldest old in London.

A survey of the health and social circumstances of 662 people aged 85 and over, living at home in inner London, was conducted in 1987. A primary aim was to analyze the structure of social support networks of the sample in relation to respondents' emotional well-being and met and unmet needs for practical help. The conceptual and methodological framework that was applied to the study was derived from the theory of social networks. In confirmation of the common assumption that people aged 85+ are different from younger elderly people, as they are the "survivors," high levels of social support and informal help were given to most respondents. Although associations were found between social network variables and the provision of informal help, multifactorial analysis showed that health status explained more of the variation in emotional well-being.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2002

Social networks of women with undefined musculoskeletal disorder.

This study was conducted to investigate social integration among, and the availability of social support for, female patients with undefined musculoskeletal disorder compared to women with coronary heart disease. The aim was to elucidate the importance of a clear diagnosis for the social network relationships of these female patients. For the measurement of social support two instruments were used: an abbreviated version of the Interview Schedule for Social Interaction and a condensed version of the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List. After adjustment for age, marital and employment status, significant differences can be recognized between the two groups of patients: MSD-patients interact with fewer people and receive less emotional support. Implications for social work practice and issues for future research are presented.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Ethnic differences in social network help-seeking strategies among Latino and Euro-Aamerican dementia caregivers.

This research explores the help-seeking behavior of Euro-American and Latino caregivers who provide homecare assistance to an older adult with dementia. A community sample of 89 caregiver-care recipient pairs (39 Latino and 50 Euro-American) was interviewed. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted to examine ethnic differences in use of an informal social network for help with caregiving tasks. Caregiver experiences that may impact help-seeking behaviors such as perceived availability of support network, satisfaction with support received and caregiver distress were also considered. Latino caregivers reported less help-seeking than did the Euro-American caregivers. Overall, ethnicity accounted for 16% of the variation in help-seeking behaviors. Ethnicity accounted for a significant portion of the variation in most of the help-seeking characteristics examined even after adjusting for socioeconomic variables. In the multivariate model, the effects of ethnicity on help-seeking persisted, while the effects of other likely predictors did not. The size of social network may not be synonymous with the seeking of support by caregivers. Likewise, higher levels of distress among Latino caregivers did not result in increased help-seeking behaviors. There remains a need to identity what other factors may contribute to the cultural variability in caregivers' use of informal support.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Empowered women, social networks and the contribution of qualitative research: broadening our understanding of underlying causes for food and nutrition insecurity.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate underlying causes for food and nutrition insecurity in black South African households and to gain understanding of the factors contributing to better nutrition security, with emphasis on household organisation, gender and intra-household dynamics and social networks. DESIGN, SETTING AND SUBJECTS: Within a larger cross-sectional survey that investigated the impact of urbanisation on the health of black South Africans, 166 people, mostly women, were interviewed on household food security. Methods used were structured face-to-face interviews, in-depth interviews, observation, interviews with key informants and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Information was collected from 1998 to 2000 in 15 rural and urban areas of the North West Province, South Africa. RESULTS: Three-quarters of households in this sample are chronically food-insecure. Families are disrupted, due to migrant work, poverty and increasing societal violence, and half of households are female-headed. Certain categories of female-headed households and households based on partnership relationships, despite more limited resources, achieve a better or an equal economic status and better nutrition security than those households led by men, with the latter often being considered an economic liability. The reliance on and fostering of social ties and networks appear to be of central significance. CONCLUSION: Gender and intra-household relations, as well as social networks and income from informal sector activities, are often not uncovered by conventional statistical methods. Qualitative research can reveal the unexpected and furthermore empowers people, as their voices are heard.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Child maltreatment in the "Children of the Nineties:" deprivation, class, and social networks in a UK sample.

AIM: To determine risk factors for child maltreatment within the socio-economic environment of a contemporary UK child population. METHODS: The research is based on a large cohort study, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Out of 14256 children participating in the study, 115 have been identified as having been placed on local child protection registers prior to their 6th birthday. Data on the socio-economic environment of the families have been obtained from a series of questionnaires administered during pregnancy and the first 3 years of life. Risk factors have been analyzed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Four indicators of deprivation all showed significant relationships with registration. Adjusted odds ratios were 2.33 for paternal unemployment; 7.65 for council housing; 2.16 for overcrowding; and 2.33 for car ownership. There was a strong relationship between the number of indicators of deprivation and the risk of maltreatment. In a second model, maternal unemployment, high mobility (> 3 house moves in the previous 5 years) and a poor social network were also significant with odds ratios of 2.82, 2.81, and 3.09, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the importance of social factors in the etiology of child maltreatment. Social deprivation is an important determinant of child maltreatment, and encompasses a number of different aspects, including financial security, housing situation and material benefits; in addition, the job situation of the parents and the stability and richness of their social networks all have a significant impact on risk of maltreatment. Interventions at both an individual and a community level are important to support families and reduce the risk of maltreatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Supportive and problematic social interactions: a social network analysis.

Assessed the number of sources of supportive and problematic social interactions in the total social network as well as the number who were the sources of consistently supportive or problematic interactions in a sample of 2nd year medical students. Number of problematic interaction sources was hypothesized to be more predictive of psychological and physical well-being than number of supportive interaction sources. Results showed that total supportive and total problematic interaction sources were equally predictive of life satisfaction. The presence of at least one individual who is a consistent source of problematic interactions was most predictive of lower life satisfaction. Results indicate the importance of studying both supportive and problematic social interactions. They also suggest that interactions with individuals that are consistently problematic may negatively impact upon well-being.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2006

Incorporating geographic settings into a social network analysis of injection drug use and bloodborne pathogen prevalence.

Using social network analysis, we investigated how communal meeting places can link injection drug user (IDU) populations and create opportunities for the transmission of bloodborne pathogens. In our locale, specific hotels played a key role in the injection drug scene. Within this hotel network some IDU injected at only one hotel while others injected at multiple hotels; this latter group potentially acted as spatial bridges linking relatively distinct hotel networks. Pathogen prevalence showed a gradation with the highest prevalence occurring at the centre of the network. Consistent with pathogen prevalence, people most central to the network were more likely to engage in risky injection practices. Incorporating geographic place into analyses involving IDU can contribute to an understanding of pathogen transmission patterns in an area and assist public health efforts to develop targeted intervention programs.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Social networks of people with dual diagnosis: the quantity and quality of relationships at different stages of substance use treatment.

This study compares the social networks, perceived levels of social support, and satisfaction with this support, for people with serious mental illnesses and comorbid problematic use of alcohol and other drugs who are at different stages of substance use recovery. Participants in the late stage of recovery were more likely to perceive greater social support from their non substance-using social contacts than participants in the early stage. This social support was more likely to be from professionals than other non-substance-using contacts in their networks. The support from professionals is discussed in relation to engagement in integrated dual diagnosis interventions.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Family and social networks. First results of a BiB survey.

The author analyzes results from a 1990 survey of family and social networks in the former Federal Republic of Germany. "Our project...focuses on the question as to what extent the changes in the observed demographic factors do affect and modify the system of the family with its various acts of assistance and support (financial help, emotional support, rendering of services)." The questionnaire used is provided, and survey methods are described.

Behavior↗