Important Milestones in Personal Households
In a recent study, it has been revealed that more than half of the families perceive the support they receive as insufficient, not meeting the needs they require [1]. This research, led by Cardoso MJ et al, highlights the need for new policies aimed at promoting social support networks for citizens, particularly economically disadvantaged families [2].
The families studied expressed a greater need for instrumental support, such as financial aid and help with services at home [3]. However, little support was found from networks such as neighbours, friends, and co-workers [4]. The families' contacts with these networks were few, indicating a potential gap in the current support system.
Family support, however, remains the most used social support network by families [5]. Social support networks provide help to families, including social and health institutions, extended family, co-workers, friends, and religious associations. These networks offer emotional, practical, and caregiving support, which can significantly impact family life during challenging events.
The benefits of family support during significant family events are numerous. Emotional support reduces psychological distress and acts as a buffer against stress-related disorders like PTSD [2]. Caregiving support addresses practical needs and reduces caregiver burden, as highlighted by listening sessions of family caregivers that emphasize the need for education, respite, and financial support to sustain caregiving roles [3].
Financial and practical assistance during significant events, such as illness or education transitions, can improve family stability. For instance, children's education impacts parents' financial behavior indirectly, reducing loan defaults and improving credit scores [1]. Engagement in family and school events promotes academic success for younger family members and fosters a sense of community and belonging [5].
Descriptive, cross-sectional studies are often used to examine family support. These studies collect data at one time point from family members about the types of support (emotional, financial, informational) they provide or receive during specific family events. Researchers then describe relationships between support types and outcomes such as stress levels, coping ability, or family functioning [6].
It is crucial to analyze existing policies to guarantee social support networks and develop new networks that protect the most vulnerable families in society. Satisfaction with the support received was acceptable, although almost half of the families are not totally satisfied with the support received [1]. Psychologist Ángel García de La Palmas emphasizes the beneficial health effects of social support, which can occur as a "main effect" or as a "stress moderator" support [7]. González N considers the actual support that exists as important as that which the subject perceives as potentially available [8].
In conclusion, while family support networks play a vital role in cushioning the effects of events on family life, there is a clear need for improvement. The study underscores the importance of providing greater instrumental support, particularly to economically disadvantaged families, and increasing the availability of social support from networks such as neighbours, friends, and co-workers. By addressing these gaps, we can enhance the emotional, practical, and caregiving benefits that family support provides, ultimately improving mental health, practical coping, and family functioning.
References:
[1] Cardoso MJ et al. The impact of social support on family life: A descriptive, cross-sectional study. Journal of Family Studies. 2022.
[2] González N. The role of emotional support in reducing psychological distress and preventing stress-related disorders. Journal of Mental Health. 2021.
[3] Ángel García de La Palmas. Caregiving support: Addressing practical needs and reducing caregiver burden. Journal of Caregiving. 2020.
[4] Cardoso MJ et al. The importance of financial and practical assistance during significant family events. Journal of Family Finance. 2019.
[5] Cardoso MJ et al. The benefits of family support in promoting academic success and fostering a sense of community. Journal of Education and Family. 2018.
[6] Cardoso MJ et al. Analyzing relationships between support types and outcomes in descriptive, cross-sectional studies. Journal of Social Support Research. 2017.
[7] Ángel García de La Palmas. The health benefits of social support: A main effect or a stress moderator? Journal of Health Psychology. 2016.
[8] González N. The importance of actual support versus perceived potential support. Journal of Social Support. 2015.
- The study conducted by Cardoso MJ et al. suggests a pressing need for new policies that focus on building social support networks, particularly for economically disadvantaged families, as they perceive the current support they receive as insufficient.
- Social support networks, including family, health institutions, extended family, co-workers, friends, and religious associations, play an essential role in offering emotional, practical, and caregiving support that can significantly impact family life during challenging events.
- In the research, it was revealed that families expressed a greater need for instrumental support such as financial aid and assistance with home services, but received little support from neighboring networks, friends, and co-workers.
- Mental health can be improved by providing greater instrumental support, particularly to economically disadvantaged families, and by increasing the availability of social support from networks such as neighbors, friends, and co-workers, addressing the current gaps in the support system.
