The Role of Social Support in Self Help Group Participation among Older Adults with a Chronic Illness

This thesis examines the role of social support in self help group panicipation
among older adults with a chronic illness. Bandura' s (1977) Social Learning Theory is
used to provide a theoretical rationale for a relationship between social support and self
care behaviors. Essentially, self efficacy is viewed as a mediating factor between social
support and self help group participation. Of panicular interest is the examination of two
potential mechanisms that are hypothesized to influence self efficacy: knowledge and
perceived stress. In this study, it is hypothesized that greater levels of social support lead
to a greater likelihood ofpanicipating in a self help group. Further, it is predicted that
social support influences self efficacy, knowledge, and perceived stress which, in turn.
impact self help group participation. Seven hypotheses were tested at the bivariate and
multivariate levels of analyses (see p.43).
At the bivariate level, weak support was found for the relationship between social
support and self efficacy, knowledge and selfhelp group participation. Perceived stress.
however. resulted in a positive relationship with social support and self help group
participation, which was contrary to the expected direction. The multivariate analysis
was conducted to determine the degree of predictability of social support, self efficacy,
knowledge and perceived stress on self help group panicipation. Also, a set of
independent control variables (sociodemographic, illness context) were included. Results
reveal a positive relationship between social support and self help group panicipation,
however. only one (received outside help) of seven social support variables predicted self
help group participation when controlling for all other variables. Knowledge, and self
efficacy were found to be significant predictors of self help group participation. Other control variables were also found to be predictive. These included: age, education, and
number of doctor's visits.

Overall. the results of this thesis indicate modest support for the Social Learning
Theory applied to self help group involvement. Although support was found at the
bivariate level for the intervening variables (self efficacy, knowledge and perceived
stress). only partial support was found for self efficacy as a mediating factor between
social support and self help group participation. It is suggested that perhaps other factors
in combination with social support - such as personality or locus of control influence self
care practices.
Furthermore, it is suggested that social support does not substitute for self care
behaviors. Instead. social support seems to facilitate self care practices such as self help
group participation. Implications are that a particular type of social support (outside the
circle of family/friends) and knowledge are important for self help group participation.
Recommendations are made in terms of future research.