Social support and belonging

دَعۡوَىٰهُمۡ فِيهَا سُبۡحَٰنَكَ ٱللَّهُمَّ وَتَحِيَّتُهُمۡ فِيهَا سَلَٰمࣱۚ وَءَاخِرُ دَعۡوَىٰهُمۡ أَنِ ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ

Their prayer in them will be, ‘Glory be to You, God!’ their greeting, ‘Peace,’ and the last part of their prayer, ‘Praise be to God, Lord of the Worlds.’

وَأُدۡخِلَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ جَنَّٰتࣲ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا بِإِذۡنِ رَبِّهِمۡۖ تَحِيَّتُهُمۡ فِيهَا سَلَٰمٌ

but those who believed and did good deeds will be brought into Gardens graced with flowing streams, there to remain with their Lord’s permission: their greeting there is ‘Peace’

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تَدۡخُلُواْ بُيُوتًا غَيۡرَ بُيُوتِكُمۡ حَتَّىٰ تَسۡتَأۡنِسُواْ وَتُسَلِّمُواْ عَلَىٰٓ أَهۡلِهَاۚ ذَٰلِكُمۡ خَيۡرࣱ لَّكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَذَكَّرُونَ

Believers, do not enter other people’s houses until you have asked permission to do so and greeted those inside- that is best for you: perhaps you will bear this in mind

لَّيۡسَ عَلَى ٱلۡأَعۡمَىٰ حَرَجࣱ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلۡأَعۡرَجِ حَرَجࣱ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلۡمَرِيضِ حَرَجࣱ وَلَا عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَن تَأۡكُلُواْ مِنۢ بُيُوتِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُيُوتِ ءَابَآئِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُيُوتِ أُمَّهَٰتِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُيُوتِ إِخۡوَٰنِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُيُوتِ أَخَوَٰتِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُيُوتِ أَعۡمَٰمِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُيُوتِ عَمَّٰتِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُيُوتِ أَخۡوَٰلِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُيُوتِ خَٰلَٰتِكُمۡ أَوۡ مَا مَلَكۡتُم مَّفَاتِحَهُۥٓ أَوۡ صَدِيقِكُمۡۚ لَيۡسَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ جُنَاحٌ أَن تَأۡكُلُواْ جَمِيعًا أَوۡ أَشۡتَاتࣰ اۚ فَإِذَا دَخَلۡتُم بُيُوتࣰ ا فَسَلِّمُواْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ تَحِيَّةࣰ مِّنۡ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ مُبَٰرَكَةࣰ طَيِّبَةࣰۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ

No blame will be attached to the blind, the lame, the sick.Whether you eat in your own houses, or those of your fathers, your mothers, your brothers, your sisters, your paternal uncles, your paternal aunts, your maternal uncles, your maternal aunts, houses you have the keys for, or any of your friends’ houses, you will not be blamed: you will not be blamed whether you eat in company or separately. When you enter any house, greet one another with a greeting of blessing and goodness as enjoined by God. This is how God makes His messages clear to you so that you may understand

وَإِذَا حُيِّيتُم بِتَحِيَّةࣲ فَحَيُّواْ بِأَحۡسَنَ مِنۡهَآ أَوۡ رُدُّوهَآۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٍ حَسِيبًا

But [even in battle] when you [believers] are offered a greeting, respond with a better one, or at least return it: God keeps account of everything

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِذَا ضَرَبۡتُمۡ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَتَبَيَّنُواْ وَلَا تَقُولُواْ لِمَنۡ أَلۡقَىٰٓ إِلَيۡكُمُ ٱلسَّلَٰمَ لَسۡتَ مُؤۡمِنࣰ ا تَبۡتَغُونَ عَرَضَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا فَعِندَ ٱللَّهِ مَغَانِمُ كَثِيرَةࣱۚ كَذَٰلِكَ كُنتُم مِّن قَبۡلُ فَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ فَتَبَيَّنُوٓاْۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرࣰ ا

So, you who believe, be careful when you go to fight in God’s way, and do not say to someone who offers you a greeting of peace, ‘You are not a believer,’ out of desire for the chance gains of this life- God has plenty of gains for you. You yourself were in the same position [once], but God was gracious to you, so be careful: God is fully aware of what you do

And their greeting therein will be " Peace!, " and the last of their supplication will be " Praise belongs to God, the Lord of the Worlds. " On that desert of the Mustering and station of the Resurrection, the disobedient of AḤmad's com- munity will be kept back at the place of the exposure of the reckoning. The preceders will have gone on ahead with the light of obedience, and the disobedient will stay there alone with the heavy burden of disobedience. In the end, God's mercy will take them by the hand. He will have pity on their aloneness and helplessness. With the call of generosity, He will say, " My servants! " When this address of exaltedness and call of generosity in the attribute of mercy reaches their ears, it will put their spirits at ease and open up their hearts to repose and ease [56:89]. He will say, " My servants, surely the companions of the Garden are today busy rejoicin

Those who have faith and do wholesome deeds were given entry into the Garden....Their greeting therein is “Peace!” The meaning is that tomorrow the faithful and the friends will be brought into paradise, the house of victory, subsistent bliss, and everlasting kingship. The outward meaning of the word were given entry is that this decree was issued on the first day at the Beginningless Covenant and that the faithful were brought into paradise on the day when the decree was issued. It is not a new want that He puts into effect; it is a beginningless deed that He makes appear. He does not caress them today, for He caressed them in the Beginningless and finished the work. The worshipper is always looking toward the Endless, fearing what will be done to him tomor- row. The recognizer is always looking toward the Beginningless, burning because of what may have been done to him then. He who loo

(O ye who believe! Enter not houses other than your own�) [24:27-29]. Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Ibrahim al-Tha�labi informed us> al-Husayn ibn Muhammad ibn �Abd Allah al-Dinawari> �Abd Allah ibn Yusuf ibn Ahmad ibn Malik> al-Husayn ibn Sakhtawayh> �Umar ibn Thawr and Ibrahim ibn Abi Sufyan> Muhammad ibn Yusuf al-Firyabi> Qays> Ash�ath ibn Siwar> �Adiyy ibn Thabit who said: �A woman from the Helpers went to see the Prophet and said: �O Messenger of Allah, sometimes I am in my house in a state in which I do not like anyone to see me, neither father nor son. But then the father comes in or another man of the family comes in while I am in that state, what shall I do?� [As a response] this verse was revealed (O ye who believe! Enter not houses other than your own without first announcing your presence and invoking peace upon the folk thereof)�. The commentators of the Qur�an said: �When this ver

(No blame is there upon the blind�) [24:61]. Said ibn �Abbas: �When Allah, glorious and exalted is He, revealed (O ye who believe! Squander not your wealth among yourselves in vanity�) [4:29], the Muslims felt vexed to eat with the sick, the old, the blind and the lame. They said: �Food is the best part of one�s wealth, and Allah, exalted is He, has warned against squandering wealth in vanity. The blind cannot see where wholesome food is, the lame cannot compete over food and the sick cannot eat properly�. As a response, Allah, exalted is He, revealed this verse�. Sa�id ibn Jubayr and al-Dahhak said: �The lame and the blind used to feel vexed at eating with healthy people because the latter found them despicable and disliked eating with them. The people of Medina did not allow the blind, lame or sick person to share their food because they considered them dirty. For this reason, Allah, e

When you are greeted with a greeting, greet with one more beautiful than it, or return it. In this verse, the majestic compeller, the magnificent God, the lovingly kind beautiful-doer, teach- es His servants the courteous acts of social intercourse and companionship, for anyone not adorned with courtesy is not worthy of companionship. Companionship is of three sorts: the courtesy of conformity with the Real, the courtesy of sincerity with people, and the courtesy of opposition to the soul. Anyone not nurtured by these sorts of courtesy has nothing to do with the path of MuṣṬafā and has no worth in the world of No god but God. The exalted Lord first adorned MuṣṬafā with courtesy, as his come in the report: “My Lord taught me courtesy, so how beautifully I have been made courteous!” Thus on the night of the miʿrāj in that most tremendous station, he acted courteously toward the Presence, s

O you who have faith! When you strike forth on the path of God, look clearly, and say not to him who offers you peace, “You are not of the faithful,” seeking the chance goods of this world's life. By way of allusion, He is saying that when you go on a journey, go for the sake of reaching one of the friends of God so that he may be the intimate of your days and the witness of your heart and spirit. No matter how far you go, never be at ease from seeking and do not hold back the foot of effort. The friends are the favorites of the Exalted Threshold and accepted by the Presence of Divinity. Not everyone sees them, not every eyesight perceives them. When you find them, give ear, and when you see them, cling to them, for the brightness of the heart lies in witnessing them and endless felicity in being their companion. The pir of the Tariqah Junayd was asked, “Which do you prefer? Two cycles o

حَدَّثَنَا هَنَّادٌ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لاَ تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ حَتَّى تُؤْمِنُوا وَلاَ تُؤْمِنُوا حَتَّى تَحَابُّوا أَلاَ أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَى أَمْرٍ إِذَا أَنْتُمْ فَعَلْتُمُوهُ تَحَابَبْتُمْ أَفْشُوا السَّلاَمَ بَيْنَكُمْ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ سَلاَمٍ وَشُرَيْحِ بْنِ هَانِئٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ وَعَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو وَالْبَرَاءِ وَأَنَسٍ وَابْنِ عُمَرَ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ ‏.‏

Narrated Abu Hurairah:that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "By the One in Whose Hand is my soul! You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I inform you about a matter which if you do it, then you will love one another? Spread the Salam among each other

حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْجَعْدِ، أَخْبَرَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ سَيَّارٍ، عَنْ ثَابِتٍ الْبُنَانِيِّ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ ـ رضى الله عنه أَنَّهُ مَرَّ عَلَى صِبْيَانٍ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَقَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَفْعَلُهُ‏.‏

Narrated Anas bin Malik:that he passed by a group of boys and greeted them and said, "The Prophet (ﷺ) used to do so

حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ عَاصِمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا هَمَّامٌ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، قَالَ قُلْتُ لأَنَسٍ أَكَانَتِ الْمُصَافَحَةُ فِي أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ نَعَمْ‏.‏

Narrated Qatada:I asked Anas, "Was it a custom of the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) to shake hands with one another?" He said, "Yes

حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ أَبِي شُعَيْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرٌ، حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لاَ تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ حَتَّى تُؤْمِنُوا وَلاَ تُؤْمِنُوا حَتَّى تَحَابُّوا أَفَلاَ أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَى أَمْرٍ إِذَا فَعَلْتُمُوهُ تَحَابَبْتُمْ أَفْشُوا السَّلاَمَ بَيْنَكُمْ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Abu Hurairah reported the Messenger of Allah (May peace be upon him) as saying:By him in whose hand my soul is, you will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another: should I not guide you to something doing which you will love one another: spread out salutation among you

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو خَالِدٍ، وَابْنُ، نُمَيْرٍ عَنِ الأَجْلَحِ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنِ الْبَرَاءِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمَيْنِ يَلْتَقِيَانِ فَيَتَصَافَحَانِ إِلاَّ غُفِرَ لَهُمَا قَبْلَ أَنْ يَفْتَرِقَا ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Narrated Al-Bara' ibn Azib: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Two Muslims will not meet and shake hands having their sins forgiven them before they separate

حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، عَنْ جَرِيرِ بْنِ حَازِمٍ، عَنْ حَنْظَلَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ السَّدُوسِيِّ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ قُلْنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَيَنْحَنِي بَعْضُنَا لِبَعْضٍ قَالَ ‏"‏ لاَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْنَا أَيُعَانِقُ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضًا قَالَ ‏"‏ لاَ وَلَكِنْ تَصَافَحُوا ‏"‏ ‏.‏

It was narrated that Anas bin Malik said:"O Messenger of Allah! Should we bow to one another?" He said: "No." We said: "Should we embrace one another?" He said: "No, but shake hands with one another

ومن ذلك أن تشكره على صنيعه في حقك، وأن تذب عنه في غيبته إذا قصد بسوء، فحق الأخوة التشمير في الحماية والنصرة.

و الدليل عليه أن ترك المؤاخاة و الصحبة ابتداء ليس مذموما ولا مكروها بل قال قائلون الانفراد أولى فأما قطع الأخوة عن دوامها فمنهى عنه ومذموم في نفسه ونسبته إلى تركها ابتداء كنسبة الطلاق إلى ترك النكاح و الطلاق أبغض إلى الله تعالى من ترك النكاح قال صلى الله عليه وسلم شرار عباد الله المشاءون بالنميمة المفرقون بين الأحبة + حديث شرار عباد الله المشاءون بالنميمة المفرقون بين الأحبة رواه أحمد من حديث أسماء بنت يزيد بسند ضعيف +

قال علي رضي الله عنه من لم يحمد أخاه على حسن النية لم يحمده على حسن الصنيعة وأعظم من ذلك تأثيرا في جلب المحبة الذب عنه في غيبته مهما قصد بسوء أو تعرض لعرضه بكلام صريح أو تعريض فحق الأخوة التشمير في الحماية و النصرة وتبكيت المتعنت وتغليظ القول عليه و السكوت عن ذلك موغر للصدر ومنفر للقلب وتقصير في حق الأخوة

لأبيه وأمه دون أخيه لأبيه وقال عمرو بن شعيب قضي رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أن الأخ للأب والأم أولي الكلالة بالميراث ثم الأخ للأب وهذا أيضا مما يدخل في قوله عليه الصلاة والسلام فما بقي فلأولي رجل ذكر والتحقيق في ذلك أن كل ما دل عليه القرآن ولو بالتنبيه فليس هو مما أبقته الفرائض بل هو من إلحاق الفرائض المذكورة في القرآن بأهلها كتوريث الأولاد ذكورهم وإناثهم الفاضل عن الفروض للذكر مثل حظ الأنثيين وتوريث الإخوة ذكورهم وإناثهم كذلك ودل ذلك بطريق التنبيه على أن الباقي يأخذه الذكر منهم عند الانفراد بطريق الأولي ودل أيضا بالتنبيه عليه أن الأخت تأخذ الباقي مع البنت كما كانت تأخذه مع أخيها ولا يقدم عليها من هو أبعد منه كابن الأخ والعم وابنه فإن أخاها إذا لم يسقطها فكيف يسقطها من هو أبعد منه فهذا كله من باب إلحاق الفرائض بأهلها ومن باب قسمة المال بين أهل الفرائض على كتاب الله وأما من لم يذكر باسمه من العصبات في القرآن كابن الأخ والعم وابنه فإنما دخل في عمومات مثله قوله تعالى وأولوا الأرحام بعضهم أ

يحتمل أن يريد بالإنخلاع عن العصمة انخلاعه عن اعتصامه بالله فإنه لو اعتصم بالله لما خرج عن هداية الطاعة قال الله تعالى @QB@ ومن يعتصم بالله فقد هدي إلى صراط مستقيم @QE@ فلو كملت عصمته بالله لم يخذله أبدا قال الله تعالى @QB@ واعتصموا بالله هو مولاكم فنعم المولى ونعم النصير @QE@ أي متى اعتصمتم به تولاكم ونصركم على أنفسكم وعلى الشيطان وهما العدوان اللذان لا يفارقان العبد وعداوتهما أضر من عداوة العدو الخارج فالنصر على هذا العدو أهم والعبد إليه أحوج وكمال النصرة على العدو بحسب كمال الإعتصام بالله

# ### | كتاب آداب الصحبة والأخوة ومعاشرة الخلق ونحو ذلك

A systematic review of correlates of depression among older Chinese and Korean immigrants: what we know and do not know.: Objectives: Guided by the stress and coping theory, this study provides a systematic review of existing research on acculutration, family support, and social support related correlates of depression among older Chinese and Korean immigrants in the United States. Method: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in CINAHL Plus, Abstracts in Social Gerontology, AgeLine, Social Work Abstracts, PubMed, PsychINFO, and Social Science Citation Index databases to identify relevant articles that pr

Systematic review on Internet Support Groups (ISGs) and depression (1): Do ISGs reduce depressive symptoms?: Background: Internet support groups (ISGs) enable individuals with specific health problems to readily communicate online. Peer support has been postulated to improve mental health, including depression, through the provision of social support. Given the growing role of ISGs for both users with depression and those with a physical disorder, there is a need to evaluate the evidence concerning the efficacy of ISGs in reducing depressive symptoms. Objective: The objective was to systematically revi

A systematic review of qualitative studies on adjusting after stroke: lessons for the study of resilience.: Purpose: To synthesize qualitative studies on adjusting after stroke, from stroke survivors' and carers' perspectives, and to outline their potential contribution to an understanding of resilience. Methods: A systematic review of qualitative studies in peer reviewed journals from 1990 to 2011 was undertaken. Findings from selected studies were summarized and synthesized and then considered alongside studies of resilience. Results: Forty studies were identified as suitable. These suggested that t

Are Community Gardening and Horticultural Interventions Beneficial for Psychosocial Well-Being? A Meta-Analysis.: Recent literature has revealed the positive effect of gardening on human health; however, empirical evidence on the effects of gardening-based programs on psychosocial well-being is scant. This meta-analysis aims to examine the scientific literature on the effect of community gardening or horticultural interventions on a variety of outcomes related to psychosocial well-being, such as social cohesion, networking, social support, and trust. From 383 bibliographic records retrieved (from 1975 to 20

The relationship between self-reported received and perceived social support: a meta-analytic review.: Social support is broad term encompassing a variety of constructs, including support perceptions (perceived support) and receipt of supportive behaviors (received support). Of these constructs, only perceived support has been regarded as consistently linked to health, and researchers have offered differing assessments of the strength of the received-perceived support relationship. An overall estimate of the received-perceived support relationship would clearly further the dialogue on the relatio

Social support and subjective burden in caregivers of adults and older adults: A meta-analysis.: Background: Despite the generally accepted belief that social support improves caregiver adjustment in general and subjective burden in particular, the literature shows mixed findings, and a recent review concluded that the predictive strength of caregiver social support in determining caregiver burden is less evident, due to the conceptual diversity of this determinant. Objective: The purpose of this review is to analyse the relationship of perceived and received social support with subjective

A systematic review of predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for adult road traffic crash survivors.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most common psychological consequences for adult road traffic crash (RTC) survivors and can have serious and long-lasting consequences for recovery if left untreated. Prevalence rates of PTSD following a RTC vary from 6% to 45% (based on 51 prevalence estimates across 35 studies). Explanations for this wide variance are explored. A systematic review of published studies found 49 papers (44 unique studies) investigating predictors of later PTSD in RTC survivors. Consistent predictors of PTSD include rumination about the trauma, perceived threat to life, a lack of social support, higher Acute Stress Disorder symptom severity, persistent physical problems, previous emotional problems, previous anxiety disorder and involvement in litigation/compensation. Moderate predictors of PTSD are discussed, as well as factors, which consistently do not…

matched on Social Support (mesh), social support (text)

Elder abuse: a systematic review of risk factors in community-dwelling elders.

Objective: to undertake a systematic literature review of risk factors for abuse in community-dwelling elders, as a first step towards exploring the clinical utility of a risk factor framework. Search strategy and selection criteria: a search was undertaken using the MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE and PsycINFO databases for articles published in English up to March 2011, to identify original studies with statistically significant risk factors for abuse in community-dwelling elders. Studies concerning self-neglect and persons aged under 55 were excluded. Results: forty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria, with 13 risk factors being reproducible across a range of settings in high-quality studies. These concerned the elder person (cognitive impairment, behavioural problems, psychiatric illness or psychological problems, functional dependency, poor physical health or frailty, low income or weal…

matched on Social Support (mesh), social support (text)

Mental health of displaced and refugee children resettled in high-income countries: risk and protective factors.

We undertook a systematic search and review of individual, family, community, and societal risk and protective factors for mental health in children and adolescents who are forcibly displaced to high-income countries. Exposure to violence has been shown to be a key risk factor, whereas stable settlement and social support in the host country have a positive effect on the child's psychological functioning. Further research is needed to identify the relevant processes, contexts, and interplay between the many predictor variables hitherto identified as affecting mental health vulnerability and resilience. Research designs are needed that enable longitudinal investigation of individual, community, and societal contexts, rather than designs restricted to investigation of the associations between adverse exposures and psychological symptoms. We emphasise the need to develop comprehensive polic…

matched on Social Support (mesh), social support (text)

What is the effect of peer support on diabetes outcomes in adults? A systematic review.

Aim: There is increasing interest in the role that peers may play to support positive health behaviours in diabetes, but there is limited evidence to inform policy and practice. The aim of this study was to systematically review evidence of the impact and effectiveness of peer support in adults living with diabetes. Methods: We searched the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE and CINHAL for the period 1966-2011, together with reference lists of articles for eligible studies. Data were synthesized in a narrative review. Results: Twenty-five studies, including fourteen randomized, controlled or comparative trials, met the inclusion criteria. There was considerable heterogeneity in the design, setting, outcomes and measurement tools. Peer support was associated with statistically significant improvements in glycaemic control (three out of 14 trials), blood pressure (one out of four tr…

matched on Social Support (mesh), social support (text)

A systematic review of resilience in the physically ill.

Background: Resilience is the capacity of individuals to maintain, or regain, their mental health in the face of significant adversity, including physical illness. Objective: We conducted a systematic review of resilience and related concepts in the physically ill to determine factors associated with predicting or promoting resilience. Methods: An electronic search of PsychInfo, Medline, and CINAHL databases between 1950 and May 2009 was performed using the terms resilience, and various types of physical illnesses. Inclusion criteria were broad and exclusion criteria were not published in English or not focused on resilience in physical illness. Results: A total of 475 articles were retrieved and 52 articles met inclusion/exclusion criteria. Psychological factors associated with resilience were self-efficacy, self-esteem, internal locus of control, optimism, mastery, hardiness, hope, sel…

matched on Social Support (mesh), social support (text)

Psychosocial factors and adjustment to chronic pain in persons with physical disabilities: a systematic review.

Objective: To systematically review the research findings regarding the associations between psychosocial factors and adjustment to chronic pain in persons with physical disabilities. Data sources: A key word literature search was conducted using articles listed in PubMed, PsychInfo, and CINAHL up to March 2010, and manual searches were made of all retrieved articles to identify published articles that met the review inclusion criteria. Study selection: To be included in the review, articles needed to (1) be written in English, (2) include adults with a physical disability who report having pain, (3) include at least 1 measure of a psychosocial predictor domain, (4) include at least 1 criterion measure of pain or patient functioning, and (5) report the results of associations between the psychosocial factors and criterion measures used in the study. Twenty-nine studies met the inclusion …

matched on Social Support (mesh), social support (text)

Reviews: developing culturally sensitive dementia caregiver interventions: are we there yet?

Despite evidence of ethnic differences in family caregivers' experiences, the extent to which caregiver interventions are culturally tailored to address these differences is unknown. A systematic review of literature published from 1980 to 2009 identified: differences in caregiving experiences of African American, Latino, and Chinese American caregivers; psychosocial support interventions in these groups; and cultural tailoring of interventions. Ethnic differences in caregiving occurred at multiple levels (intrapersonal, interpersonal, environmental) and in multiple domains (psychosocial health, life satisfaction, caregiving appraisals, spirituality, coping, self-efficacy, physical functioning, social support, filial responsibility, familism, views toward elders, use of formal services and health care). Only 18 of 47 intervention articles reported outcomes by caregiver ethnicity. Only 11…

matched on Social Support (mesh), social support (text)

Risk factors for depressive symptoms during pregnancy: a systematic review.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate risk factors for antepartum depressive symptoms that can be assessed in routine obstetric care. We evaluated articles in the English-language literature from 1980 through 2008. Studies were selected if they evaluated the association between antepartum depressive symptoms and > or =1 risk factors. For each risk factor, 2 blinded, independent reviewers evaluated the overall trend of evidence. In total, 57 studies met eligibility criteria. Maternal anxiety, life stress, history of depression, lack of social support, unintended pregnancy, Medicaid insurance, domestic violence, lower income, lower education, smoking, single status, and poor relationship quality were associated with a greater likelihood of antepartum depressive symptoms in bivariate analyses. Life stress, lack of social support, and domestic violence continued to demonstrate a signific…

matched on Social Support (mesh), social support (text)

Predictors of complicated grief: a systematic review of empirical studies.

A systematic review of the literature on predictors of complicated grief (CG) was undertaken with the aim of clarifying the current knowledge and to inform future planning and work in CG following bereavement. Predictors of CG prior to the death include previous loss, exposure to trauma, a previous psychiatric history, attachment style, and the relationship to the deceased. Factors associated with the death include violent death, the quality of the caregiving or dying experience, close kinship relationship to the deceased, marital closeness and dependency, and lack of preparation for the death. Perceived social support played a key role after death, along with cognitive appraisals and high distress at the time of the death. Inconsistent definitions of CG and measurement tools were noted in the earlier studies reviewed. Limitations identified in the studies included use of cross-sectional…

matched on Social Support (mesh), social support (text)

A review of psychological correlates of adjustment in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease which poses significant psychological adjustment challenges. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify factors that are related to adjustment in people with MS and may be modifiable through psychological intervention. It aimed to gain an overview of the strength of evidence for relationships between psychological factors and adjustment and identify limitations to existing studies and directions for future research. Seventy two studies met inclusion criteria and were included in the review and a narrative synthesis was conducted. A wide range of psychological factors have been studied in relation to adjustment outcomes. The strongest and most consistent finding was that perceived stress and certain emotion-focussed coping strategies are related to worse adjustment in MS. Uncertainty was fairly robustly associated with w…

matched on Social Support (mesh), social support (text)

Do religious/spiritual coping strategies affect illness adjustment in patients with cancer? A systematic review of the literature.

The present paper systematically reviews studies examining the potential beneficial or harmful effects of religious/spiritual coping with cancer. Using religion and spirituality as resources in coping may be specifically prevalent in patients with cancer considering the potentially life-threatening nature of the illness. Religious/spiritual coping may also serve multiple functions in long-term adjustment to cancer such as maintaining self-esteem, providing a sense of meaning and purpose, giving emotional comfort and providing a sense of hope. Seventeen papers met the inclusion criteria of which seven found some evidence for the beneficial effect of religious coping, but one of these also found religious coping to be detrimental in a sub-sample of their population. A further three studies found religious coping to be harmful and seven found non-significant results. However, many studies s…

matched on Social Support (mesh), social support (text)

Evaluation of a Whole-School Change Intervention: Findings from a Two-Year Cluster-Randomized Trial of the Restorative Practices Intervention.

This study fills a gap in research on multi-level school-based approaches to promoting positive youth development and reducing bullying, in particular cyberbullying, among middle school youth. The study evaluates the Restorative Practices Intervention, a novel whole-school intervention designed to build a supportive environment through the use of 11 restorative practices (e.g., communication approaches that aim to build stronger bonds among leadership, staff, and students such as using "I" statements, encouraging students to express their feelings) that had only quasi-experimental evidence prior to this study. Studying multilevel (e.g., individual, peer group, school) approaches like the Restorative Practices Intervention is important because they are hypothesized to address a more complex interaction of risk factors than single level efforts, which are more common. Baseline and two-year…

matched on Social Support (mesh), Interpersonal Relations (mesh)

Latent profiles of nonresidential father engagement six years after divorce predict long-term offspring outcomes.

This study examined profiles of nonresidential father engagement (i.e., support to the adolescent, contact frequency, remarriage, relocation, and interparental conflict) with their adolescent children (N = 156) 6 to 8 years following divorce and the prospective relation between these profiles and the psychosocial functioning of their offspring, 9 years later. Parental divorce occurred during late childhood to early adolescence; indicators of nonresidential father engagement were assessed during adolescence, and mental health problems and academic achievement of offspring were assessed 9 years later in young adulthood. Three profiles of father engagement were identified in our sample of mainly White, non-Hispanic divorced fathers: Moderate Involvement/Low Conflict, Low Involvement/Moderate Conflict, and High Involvement/High Conflict. Profiles differentially predicted offspring outcomes 9…

matched on Social Support (mesh), Interpersonal Relations (mesh)

The effects of counting blessings on subjective well-being: a gratitude intervention in a Spanish sample.

This study examined a gratitude intervention repeating Emmons and McCullough study (2003) in a Spanish sample, Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions (gratitude, hassles and any event) and kept daily records during 2 weeks of gratitude, affect, quality of relationships, physical and subjective well-being. We added design features to assess the intervention long-term impact (follow-up measures), and to improve the design control (pre-treatment measures). Following the cited authors' analysis, i.e., comparing groups only in the post-test, we replicated their results, finding differences in positive affect and gratitude between the gratitude condition and the hassles condition. However, when including both the pre and the follow-up measures in the analysis, results were replicated only partially, as the difference in gratitude disappeared. Moreover, the difference in…

matched on Social Support (mesh), Interpersonal Relations (mesh)

Treatment for PTSD related to childhood abuse: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to childhood abuse is associated with features of affect regulation and interpersonal disturbances that substantially contribute to impairment. Existing treatments do not address these problems or the difficulties they may pose in the exploration of trauma memories, an efficacious and frequently recommended approach to resolving PTSD. The authors evaluated the benefits and risks of a treatment combining an initial preparatory phase of skills training in affect and interpersonal regulation (STAIR) followed by exposure by comparing it against two control conditions: Supportive Counseling followed by Exposure (Support/Exposure) and skills training followed by Supportive Counseling (STAIR/Support). Method: Participants were women with PTSD related to childhood abuse (N=104) who were randomly assigned to the STAIR/Exposure condition, Sup…

matched on Social Support (mesh), Interpersonal Relations (mesh)

A brief dyadic group based psychoeducation program improves relapse rates in recently remitted bipolar disorder: a pilot randomised controlled trial.

Background: Various adjunctive psychotherapies assist in decreasing relapse and improving outcomes for people with bipolar disorder (BD). Psychoeducation programs involving patient-only or caregiver-only groups have demonstrated some efficacy. We tested in recently remitted BD if a combined group based psychoeducation program involving patient-companion dyads decreased relapse. Method: 58 recently remitted BD out-patients were randomised to receive either treatment as usual (TAU, n=31) or 12 x 90 minute psychoeducation sessions delivered weekly in a group program to the patient and companion (SIMSEP, n=27). After 12 weeks SIMSEP patients reverted to TAU and all patients were followed until week 60 or relapse. The primary outcome measure was relapse requiring hospital or intensive community intervention. Results: 45 patients completed the study. 29 patients remained well at week 60 (SIMSE…

matched on Social Support (mesh), Interpersonal Relations (mesh)

Partner-assisted emotional disclosure for patients with gastrointestinal cancer: results from a randomized controlled trial.

Background: For patients with cancer who are married or in an intimate relationship, their relationships with their partners play a critical role in their adaptation to illness. However, cancer patients and their partners often have difficulty in talking with each other about their cancer-related concerns. Difficulties in communication ultimately may compromise both the patient-partner relationship and the patient's psychological adjustment. The current study tested the efficacy of a novel partner-assisted emotional disclosure intervention in a sample of patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer. Methods: One hundred thirty patients with GI cancer and their partners were assigned randomly to receive 4 sessions of either partner-assisted emotional disclosure or a couples cancer education/support intervention. Patients and partners completed measures of relationship quality, intimacy with…

matched on Social Support (mesh), Interpersonal Relations (mesh)

Effects of psychosocial group rehabilitation on social functioning, loneliness and well-being of lonely, older people: randomized controlled trial.

Aim: This paper is a report of a study to explore the effects of psychosocial group nursing intervention on older people's feelings of loneliness, social activity and psychological well-being. Background: Older people's loneliness is associated with low quality of life, and impaired health, increased use of health and social services and increased mortality. Previous intervention studies have achieved quite modest results. Method: A randomized controlled trial was conducted between 2003 and 2006 using a group intervention aimed at empowering older people, and promoting peer support and social integration. A total of 235 people (>74 years) suffering from loneliness met 12 times with professional leaders in groups. The UCLA Loneliness Scale and Lubben's Social Network Scale were used at entry, after 3 and 6 months. Psychological well-being was charted using a six-dimensional questionnaire …

matched on Social Support (mesh), Interpersonal Relations (mesh)

Effect of peer support on prevention of postnatal depression among high risk women: multisite randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of telephone based peer support in the prevention of postnatal depression. Design: Multisite randomised controlled trial. Setting: Seven health regions across Ontario, Canada. Participants: 701 women in the first two weeks postpartum identified as high risk for postnatal depression with the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale and randomised with an internet based randomisation service. Intervention: Proactive individualised telephone based peer (mother to mother) support, initiated within 48-72 hours of randomisation, provided by a volunteer recruited from the community who had previously experienced and recovered from self reported postnatal depression and attended a four hour training session. Main outcome measures: Edinburgh postnatal depression scale, structured clinical interview-depression, state-trait anxiety inventory, UCLA loneliness sca…

matched on Social Support (mesh), Interpersonal Relations (mesh)

The effects of expressive writing on adjustment to HIV.

Previous research suggests that writing about stressful experiences results in better health and psychological well-being. In the present study, a multi-ethnic sample of 79 HIV-positive women and men participated in a structured interview, and wrote about either their deepest thoughts and feelings about living with HIV (expressive writing) or their activities in the last 24 hr (control). Sixty-two participants returned for the 2-month follow-up and 50 returned for the 6-month follow-up interview. Oral fluid samples of beta2-microglobulin were taken at the baseline and follow-up assessments to examine the immunological effects of writing. No effects of writing condition were found, but expressive writing participants who included increasing insight/causation and social words in their writing had better immune function and reported more positive changes at follow-up. Results suggest that c…

matched on Social Support (mesh), Interpersonal Relations (mesh)

Study Protocol: Connecting older adults through multi-level programmes for alleviating loneliness in Hong Kong older adults (COMPASS-HOA).

Background: Loneliness is a widespread global issue among older adults that negatively impacts physical and mental health, cognitive functioning, quality of life, and longevity, while also burdening society with healthcare costs. Resulting from factors at individual, interpersonal, and community levels. Multi-level interventions targeting these levels show promise in addressing this complex issue. Objective: This trial aims to develop, implement, and evaluate a multi-level intervention comprising individual-, interpersonal-, and community-level components to reduce loneliness and enhance well-being among older adults in Hong Kong. Methods: This pragmatic, assessor-blinded, 4-arm cluster randomized controlled trial will evaluate a multi-level intervention among 1,344 community-dwelling lonely older adults living in poverty. Participants will be randomized equally to one of the four 6-mont…

matched on Social Support (mesh), social support (text)

Evaluation of court-initiated randomized controlled trial of online parent programs for divorcing and separating parents.

We conducted an evaluation of a court-initiated randomized controlled trial comparing outcomes for parents assigned to either a no-program control group or one of two online parenting programs-Two Families Now (TFN) or Children in Between (CIB)-among 221 parents in initial divorce or separation court cases. We gathered parent report measures of family functioning at study entry, completion of program, and 1-year following study entry. We also gathered and coded court records to capture the content of the document resolving issues and occurrence of relitigation in the following year. All findings became statistically nonsignificant when a Bonferroni correction was employed. Before correction, however, a few statistically significant differences between groups emerged. Immediately following program completion, there were no study condition differences on measures of parental beliefs and in…

matched on Social Support (mesh), social support (text)

Effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention to reduce social isolation and loneliness in community-dwelling elders: A randomized clinical trial.

Aims: To assess the effect of a multicomponent intervention on reducing social isolation and loneliness and improving the quality of life in community-dwelling older adults. Design: A cluster-randomized controlled clinical trial. Methods: A total of 56 older adults participated in the control group and 63 older adults in the experimental group. The intervention consisted of 6 home-based face-to-face sessions, intercalated with 5 telephone calls and was conducted by nursing students and volunteer staff with experience in the subject. The study was conducted between April 2018 and December 2019. In terms of statistical analysis, several procedures were carried out: a statistical analysis per protocol and intention to treat, considering isolation, loneliness and quality of life as endpoints; a comparison of paired means, to analyse the behaviour of the outcome variables at baseline and the …

matched on Social Support (mesh), social support (text)

Positive intervention effect of mobile health application based on mindfulness and social support theory on postpartum depression symptoms of puerperae.

Objective: This study investigated the effects of mobile health application designed based on mindfulness and social support theory on parenting self-efficacy and postpartum depression symptoms of puerperae. Methods: We recruited 130 puerperae from a hospital in China and randomized them to an App use group (n = 65) and a waiting control group (n = 65). The App group underwent an 8-week app use intervention while the control group underwent no intervention. We measured four main variables (mindfulness, perceived social support, maternal parental self-efficacy and postpartum depressive symptoms) before and after the App use intervention. Results: In the App group, perceived social support, maternal parental self-efficacy were significantly higher and postpartum depressive symptoms was significantly lower. In the control group, there were no significant differences in any of the four varia…

matched on Social Support (mesh), social support (text)

Generativity and Social Well-Being in Older Women: Expectations Regarding Aging Matter.

Objectives: Beliefs about aging can contribute to health and well-being in older adults. Feeling generative, or that one is caring for and contributing to the well-being of others, can also impact health and well-being. In this study, we hypothesized that those with more positive expectations regarding aging (ERA) in the mental health domain would report greater levels of perceived social support (PSS) and lower levels of loneliness in response to a generativity intervention (vs control condition). Method: Participants in this study (n = 73, 100% female) were randomly assigned to a 6-week generativity condition, which involved writing about life experiences and sharing advice with others, or to a control condition, which involved writing about neutral topics. Pre- and postintervention, PSS, and feelings of loneliness were measured. Results: Those in the generativity condition with more p…

matched on Social Support (mesh), social support (text)