Social support, socioeconomic and clinical risk: comparison between to neighborhoods in a Brazilian upcountry town

• Autor(a) principal: Ferreira,Milce Burgos
• Data de Publicação: 2012
• Outros Autores: Nunes,Marilene Rivany, Reis,Geraldo Cássio dos, Morraye,Mônica de Andrade, Rocha,Semiramis Melani de Melo
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP (Online)
• Texto Completo: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0080-62342012000400006
• topic: Family; Social support; Risk groups; Health Promotion; Socioeconomic factors

The objective of this study was to compare the perceptions of two families living in two different neighborhoods (rated according to risk levels) regarding social support. A questionnaire was designed to assess social support according to the following dimensions: instrumental, emotional, religious, and support from friends, neighbors and family. The sample was comprised as follows: considering the 114 families living in neighborhood 1, 52 families were interviewed; and among the 162 families living in neighborhood 2, 60 families were interviewed. No significant difference was found related to instrumental, religious and emotional support, including the support from relatives among the families from both neighborhoods. The results disagree with the reviewed literature, which indicated a strong association between social support and families living at socioeconomic risk. In conclusion, social support is important for families, regardless of their risk stratification.