The Concept of Social Support Theory as a Resource in Psychiatric Care

Abstract

Introduction - An adequate level of social support can significantly improve patients' health status, their health behaviors, and the utilization of health services. Although there are many theories addressing social support, it is essential to analyze and evaluate them before applying them to Croatian nursing practice. Miriam J. Stewart's social support theory can provide substantial assistance to nurses in planning interventions to improve health outcomes. The aim of our research was to analyze and evaluate this theory.

Methods - The theory was analyzed and evaluated according to the criteria proposed by McKenna, Pajnkihar, and Murphy. Databases Medline and CINAHL were searched, as well as relevant articles and books available online, using English MeSH keywords: social support, nursing, theory, evaluation, and analysis.

Results - A total of 32 articles and three books were analyzed. The social support theory belongs to the middle-range theories in nursing, which deal with structure and interactional relationships. Interactions and relationships with members of social networks can be supportive or unsupportive, thus affecting physical, psychological, and spiritual health and well-being. Social support is a key concept in nursing due to its impact on health and health behavior, and it is suitable for developing empathy and responsiveness to patients' needs. Stewart proposed five main interventions aimed at individuals, dyads, groups, communities, and the social system. Three reliable and valid instruments for measuring social support have been developed.

Conclusion - The described theory has great potential for improving nursing practice, but it must first be included in Croatian nursing education so that nurses can acquire the necessary knowledge about nursing theories. The theoretical settings need to be tested in clinical practice.