The Importance of Social Support on Health
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The Importance of Social Support on Health
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Although social interaction is complex, some believe that it is vital to human health, both mentally and physically. The nature of social behavior is that many people find it hard to open their hearts and share their feelings and problems. However, social interaction where people can talk out their problems and feel accepted and understood is very beneficial to mental health. It is influenced by the number of interactions we have and the bonds we form within our social group. The term social support has been defined in several ways. It consists of a number of different domains, including emotional support, appraisal and affirmation, informational assistance, intimacy, comfort, and physical affection. Researchers have documented a positive association between social support and physical health and social support has been implicated in the etiology of disease and the success of treatment following illness. (Hale, Hannum, & Espelage 2005). In theory, social relationships are linked to better health in several ways. They may provide emotional benefits, which include intimacy, a sense of belonging, and self-esteem. They may also offer instrumental and material benefits by providing tangible assistance, such as money, services, goods, guidance, and advice (Kanaiaupuni, Donato, Thompson-Colon, & Stainback 2005). One of the earliest studies on social networks and health was Durkheim’s (1951) work on the association between social isolation and suicide. Since then, many studies have documented the health-enhancing effects of social integration. Social support and social engagement reduce mortality risks and disability, improve disease recovery rates and promote cognitive development and function (Berkman 2000). Biological and personality endowments may also affect social relationships, but social relationships have positive effects on health that are independent of
The Importance of Social Support on Health
{INSTRUCTOR}
{DATE}
Although social interaction is complex, some believe that it is vital to human health, both mentally and physically. The nature of social behavior is that many people find it hard to open their hearts and share their feelings and problems. However, social interaction where people can talk out their problems and feel accepted and understood is very beneficial to mental health. It is influenced by the number of interactions we have and the bonds we form within our social group. The term social support has been defined in several ways. It consists of a number of different domains, including emotional support, appraisal and affirmation, informational assistance, intimacy, comfort, and physical affection. Researchers have documented a positive association between social support and physical health and social support has been implicated in the etiology of disease and the success of treatment following illness. (Hale, Hannum, & Espelage 2005). In theory, social relationships are linked to better health in several ways. They may provide emotional benefits, which include intimacy, a sense of belonging, and self-esteem. They may also offer instrumental and material benefits by providing tangible assistance, such as money, services, goods, guidance, and advice (Kanaiaupuni, Donato, Thompson-Colon, & Stainback 2005). One of the earliest studies on social networks and health was Durkheim’s (1951) work on the association between social isolation and suicide. Since then, many studies have documented the health-enhancing effects of social integration. Social support and social engagement reduce mortality risks and disability, improve disease recovery rates and promote cognitive development and function (Berkman 2000). Biological and personality endowments may also affect social relationships, but social relationships have positive effects on health that are independent of
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