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Social supports are linked in public health research to improved birth outcomes. This study explored the relationship of social supports, stress and birth outcomes among pregnant Latinas in Pinellas County, Florida. A sample of 411 Healthy Start women at risk of poor birth outcomes participated in this study (99 Latinas, 142 Black, and 158 White). Study methods included ANOVA, Principal Component Analysis, multivariable regression, logistic regression, and structural equation modeling to identify significant associations between social support scores, stress scores, demographics and health risk factors with infant birth weight, preterm and small for gestational age by ethnic group. Study findings indicated there was a direct association between social support and stress across all ethnic groups. However, many confounding variables did not have an effect in the study sample. Latina study participants exhibited significantly lower mean social support scores compared to White and Black participants (p=0.000). Latinas also presented higher stress scores that were significantly different from White and Black participants (p=0.000). The study also found ethnic differences in stress level perceptions using the Perceived Stress Scale. Recommendations for public health included conducting additional studies to assess if the study variables have an impact on a different population, exploring different ethnic interpretations of stress, using repeated measures to assess stress in high risk populations and considering using alternate stress measures such as biological markers and stress life event scales to assess social support, stress and birth outcomes.

Ett samband har påvisats mellan våld mot djur och våld i nära relation. Forskning betonar därför vikten av att yrkesverksamma besitter kunskap om detta samband som en del i att förebygga, identifiera och motverka våld i nära relation. Syftet med detta arbete var att undersöka socialtjänstens organisatoriska förutsättningar till att inta ett sällskapsdjursinkluderande förhållningsätt i arbetet med våld i nära relation. Med hänvisningar till bandet mellan människa och djur samt teorin om socialt stöd betonas den vinst som står att finna i ett förhållningssätt av detta slag. Som datainsamlingsmetod hölls semi-strukturerade intervjuer med sex socialarbetare verksamma inom området våld i nära relation i sex kommuner i Mellansverige. Framkommen data behandlades med kvalitativ innehållsanalys, och resultaten visar att om än vissa socialarbetare eftersträvar att inkludera djur, tenderar djur överlag stå lågt ner på socialtjänstens agenda. Genom nationella riktlinjer skulle därför ett enhetligare och mer metodiskt tillhandahållande av stöd kunna åstadkommas. / There is a link between violence against animals and domestic violence. Research emphasizes the importance of professionals possessing knowledge about the link as part of preventing, identifying and counteracting domestic violence. The purpose of this paper was to examine the social services' organizational conditions in adopting a pet-inclusive approach in the work with domestic violence. With references to the human-animal bond and the theory of social support, I emphasized the gain found in an approach of this kind. As method for data collection, semi-structured interviews were held with six social workers active in the field of domestic violence, from six municipalities in the middle parts of Sweden. Qualitative content analysis was then conducted, and the results indicate that although some social workers strive to include animals, animals generally have low priority on the social services agenda. A more consistent and effective provision of support could be achieved through national guidelines.

Women’s procreative capacities and the appreciation of birth experiences have always been recognised in civil society and the early days of psychology. Given that our culture is one that emphasises a woman’s capacity to bear children as one of the greatest social achievements, the social responsibility to procreate and ensure collective survival becomes a potent mandate, especially so for Black African women. To fulfil this social responsibility, traditional African culture dictates a very specific process of pregnancy which involves a series of watershed moments, each of which requires that social support, of whatever form, should be available. This study explored the role that social support from significant others and health professionals play in mediating psychological issues during pregnancy, childbirth and postnatally among Black African women in Madadeni Township in KwaZulu-Natal. The study was rooted in the interpretive, qualitative paradigm and a phenomenological research design was used. Purposive sampling was used to select participants who were aged from 18 to 25 years with a baby older than two weeks but less than six months. Semi structured interviews were conducted in the mother tongue of the participants until the point of saturation where no new information arose from the six participants interviewed. Thematic content analysis was used to extract recurrent themes across participants. The results indicate that social support, especially from parents and partners, plays a defining role in helping women to cope with the stress experienced during pregnancy, childbirth and postnatally. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology: Research Consultation)

Women’s procreative capacities and the appreciation of birth experiences have always been recognised in civil society and the early days of psychology. Given that our culture is one that emphasises a woman’s capacity to bear children as one of the greatest social achievements, the social responsibility to procreate and ensure collective survival becomes a potent mandate, especially so for Black African women. To fulfil this social responsibility, traditional African culture dictates a very specific process of pregnancy which involves a series of watershed moments, each of which requires that social support, of whatever form, should be available. This study explored the role that social support from significant others and health professionals play in mediating psychological issues during pregnancy, childbirth and postnatally among Black African women in Madadeni Township in KwaZulu-Natal. The study was rooted in the interpretive, qualitative paradigm and a phenomenological research design was used. Purposive sampling was used to select participants who were aged from 18 to 25 years with a baby older than two weeks but less than six months. Semi structured interviews were conducted in the mother tongue of the participants until the point of saturation where no new information arose from the six participants interviewed. Thematic content analysis was used to extract recurrent themes across participants. The results indicate that social support, especially from parents and partners, plays a defining role in helping women to cope with the stress experienced during pregnancy, childbirth and postnatally. / Psychology / M. A. (Psychology: Research Consultation)

A needs assessment during 2000 guided the design of a buddy system in Botswana. Implementation of this care and support system for and by 39 HIV+ve female buddy-client pairs started in 2002. During April and November 2002, levels of disclosure, self-care, support and quality of life of buddy-client pairs and the controls (n = 38) were compared. Orem's self-care theory, Maslow's hierarchy of needs and Cohen and Syme's conceptualisation of social support formed the theoretical framework. By November 2002, clients' disclosure levels, self-care for TB, and antiretroviral therapy adherence had improved. Higher income, higher education and older age predicted higher levels of self-care for antiretroviral therapy. The social support survey reported satisfaction with types of support available in November 2002 (N = 112). Clients' scores for self-care for TB, antiretroviral therapy and social support improved more than those of controls over the study period. The personal resource questionnaire measured perceptions of support: buddies' scores increased more than those of clients. Women on antiretroviral therapy completed the adherence attitudes inventory in April and November 2002 and reported a downward trend in adherence. Findings of the quality of life (SF 36) instrument showed that during the six-month study period, physical and mental health component summary scores improved but remained low (N = 112). During 2003 Botswana's community-based buddy-support programme was adopted by four other countries in Southern Africa in an attempt to enhance the quality of life of HIV+ve women in these countries. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

A needs assessment during 2000 guided the design of a buddy system in Botswana. Implementation of this care and support system for and by 39 HIV+ve female buddy-client pairs started in 2002. During April and November 2002, levels of disclosure, self-care, support and quality of life of buddy-client pairs and the controls (n = 38) were compared. Orem's self-care theory, Maslow's hierarchy of needs and Cohen and Syme's conceptualisation of social support formed the theoretical framework. By November 2002, clients' disclosure levels, self-care for TB, and antiretroviral therapy adherence had improved. Higher income, higher education and older age predicted higher levels of self-care for antiretroviral therapy. The social support survey reported satisfaction with types of support available in November 2002 (N = 112). Clients' scores for self-care for TB, antiretroviral therapy and social support improved more than those of controls over the study period. The personal resource questionnaire measured perceptions of support: buddies' scores increased more than those of clients. Women on antiretroviral therapy completed the adherence attitudes inventory in April and November 2002 and reported a downward trend in adherence. Findings of the quality of life (SF 36) instrument showed that during the six-month study period, physical and mental health component summary scores improved but remained low (N = 112). During 2003 Botswana's community-based buddy-support programme was adopted by four other countries in Southern Africa in an attempt to enhance the quality of life of HIV+ve women in these countries. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)