Overview Write A 34-Page Assessment Using Research

Overviewwrite A 34 Page Assessment In Which You Use Research Articles

Write a 3–4-page assessment in which you use research articles to examine how social connections and support can promote physical and mental health. Social psychology can help us understand our relationships with others.

Paper For Above instruction

Understanding the influence of social connections and support on health has become a significant focus in social psychology research. These relationships are fundamental to human well-being, influencing both physical and psychological health outcomes. The present assessment critically reviews two scholarly research articles that investigate different aspects of social support and social bonds and their impact on health. This analysis covers their research methodologies, findings, and implications for understanding human relationships.

Selection and Description of Research Articles

The first article selected is Cyranowski et al.'s (2013) study, which explores the role of social support and companionship in health outcomes through the NIH Toolbox Adult Social Relationship Scales. The second article is Kaniasty's (2012) work, focusing on predicting psychological well-being following traumatic events through postdisaster social support. Both studies are seminal in highlighting how social ties can buffer stress and support recovery, contributing significantly to our understanding of social determinants of health.

Data Collection Methods

Cyranowski et al. (2013) employed quantitative survey methods, utilizing standardized questionnaires to measure social support, companionship, and distress among a diverse adult sample. Participants completed validated scales, including the NIH Toolbox, to ensure reliability and validity of collected data. The study's cross-sectional design facilitated the examination of concurrent relationships between social factors and health outcomes.

Kaniasty (2012) used a longitudinal research design, collecting data from individuals affected by disaster over multiple time points. Data collection involved structured interviews and self-report questionnaires assessing perceived social support, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and psychological well-being. This approach enabled the study to observe changes over time and establish temporal relationships between social support and mental health recovery.

Research Designs

Cyranowski et al. (2013) adopted a correlational design, analyzing the associations between social support levels and mental health measures at a single point. Their design allowed for identifying significant relationships but limited causal assertions. Conversely, Kaniasty's (2012) longitudinal design provided stronger evidence for causality, observing how fluctuations in social support impacted psychological outcomes across different post-disaster phases.

Arguments and Theoretical Support

Cyranowski et al. (2013) argue that social support and companionship are critical components of health, buffering against psychological distress. They draw on social convoy theory, suggesting that long-standing social networks provide emotional resources that promote resilience. Kaniasty (2012) emphasizes the importance of perceived social support in buffering the negative effects of trauma, referencing the stress-buffering hypothesis, which posits that social support moderates the relationship between stressful events and mental health outcomes.

Research Findings

Both studies underscore the positive impacts of social support on health. Cyranowski et al. (2013) found that higher levels of perceived support correlated with reduced depressive symptoms and greater psychological well-being. Their results reinforce prior research indicating that social support enhances mental health resilience. Kaniasty (2012), meanwhile, demonstrated that individuals perceiving higher social support after trauma experienced fewer symptoms of posttraumatic stress and better overall psychological functioning over time. The longitudinal data emphasized that perceived support was a stronger predictor of recovery than actual received support.

Application to Personal Relationships

These findings highlight the importance of nurturing supportive relationships for maintaining health. Understanding that social support can act as a buffer against stress encourages individuals to foster meaningful connections. Personally, I recognize that investing time in supportive friendships and family relationships can help mitigate the effects of stress and promote mental and physical well-being. Additionally, being aware of the significance of perceived support inspires me to communicate support more effectively to others, recognizing that perception often influences outcomes as much as actual support received.

Conclusion

In summary, the reviewed articles provide compelling evidence that social connections and support significantly contribute to physical and mental health. Methodologically robust, both studies employ appropriate research designs—correlational and longitudinal—that reinforce the causal links between social support and health outcomes. The findings advocate for policies and personal practices that foster social bonds, emphasizing their role as vital determinants of health. Future research should explore interventions that enhance social support networks, especially for vulnerable populations, to better leverage these social determinants for health promotion.

References

  • Cyranowski, J. M., Zill, N., Bode, R., Butt, Z., Kelly, M. A. R., Pilkonis, P. A., & Cella, D. (2013). Assessing social support, companionship, and distress: National Institute of Health (NIH) Toolbox Adult Social Relationship Scales. Health Psychology, 32(3), 293–301.
  • Kaniasty, K. (2012). Predicting social psychological well-being following trauma: The role of postdisaster social support. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 4(1), 22–33.
  • Baumeister, R. F., & Bushman, B. J. (2014). Social psychology & human nature (3rd ed.). Wadsworth.
  • Uchino, B. N., Cawthon, R. M., Smith, T. W., Light, K. C., McKenzie, J., Carlisle, M., & Bowen, K. (2012). Social relationships and health: Is feeling positive, negative, or both (ambivalent) about your social ties related to telomeres? Health Psychology, 31(6), 789–796.
  • Wallace, T. L., Ye, F., & Chhuon, V. (2012). Subdimensions of adolescent belonging in high school. Applied Developmental Science, 16(3), 122–139.
  • Hogg, M. A., & Hains, S. C. (1996). Intergroup relations and group solidarity: Effects of group identification and social beliefs on depersonalized attraction. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70(2), 295–309.
  • Mejias, N. J., Gill, C. J., & Shpigelman, C. (2014). Influence of a support group for young women with disabilities on sense of belonging. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 61(2), 208–220.
  • Major, B., Mendes, W. B., & Dovidio, J. F. (2013). Intergroup relations and health disparities: A social psychological perspective. Health Psychology, 32(5), 514–524.
  • Cockshaw, W. D., Shochet, I. M., & Obst, P. L. (2013). General belongingness, workplace belongingness, and depressive symptoms. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 23(3), 240–251.
  • Additional relevant sources may include peer-reviewed articles from reputable psychological and health journals, exploring various facets of social support and health outcomes.

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