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Biomedical subjects

C Hildingh

Publications and source records attributed to C Hildingh.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Elderly persons' social network and need for social support after their first myocardial infarction.

Social network and social support are phenomena suggested to be of importance to successful recovery from myocardial infarction. However, very few studies have been carried out, especially among the elderly, focusing on their social network and its ability to provide adequate support after myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to examine elderly persons' social network and need for social support three months after their first myocardial infarction. The sample consisted of 128 persons between 65 and 94 years of age who answered a questionnaire. The results showed that the subjects, even the oldest ones, had an available social network and that they were satisfied with the support it provided. There was an increased need for social support after the myocardial infarction, especially for emotional support and appraisal, but also for instrumental aid and information. Despite these positive results indicating that elderly persons with myocardial infarction have a social network, whose members provide them with support, there may be a need for support also from persons outside this network. Assessment of social network characteristics and the need for social support as well as the provision of adequate information about additional support networks are important tasks for all health professionals.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1995

Social support in self-help groups, as experienced by persons having coronary heart disease and their next of kin.

Self-help groups related to coronary heart disease constitute a network for support in which the members of the group have the opportunity both to receive and provide social support. The purpose of this study was to reach in-depth information from group members about lived experience of social support in a self-help group. A qualitative research method influenced by phenomenology was used and the findings showed a pattern of social support that can be described as a sharing of experience among confident equals, thanks to mutual feelings of caring and belonging, which in turn strengthens confidence. The group members' experience of social support show that the group constitutes a cornerstone in a network for support and contributes to well-being, coping ability and a build up of confidence at the prospect of a more promising future.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1995

Cardiac nurses' preparedness to use self-help groups as a support strategy.

Self-help groups are lay, mutual support groups in which people who share some long-term existential problems in their lives meet regularly to support each other empathetically. These groups can be viewed as supplementary sources of support outside patients' existing social networks. As such, it is of importance to be aware of them when planning nursing care. The aim of this study was to examine cardiac nurses' preparedness to use self-help groups as a support strategy. A qualitative research method was used and 12 registered nurses from two coronary care units were interviewed. The findings showed that nurses knowledge of social support, self-help groups and of patients' social circumstances as well as their attitudes to their own roles as nurses were of importance in their preparedness to use self-help groups as a support strategy. Lack of knowledge of social support and self-help groups affected the nurses' attitudes towards lay care and was probably the reason for not using self-help groups as a support strategy. Most of the nurses were well informed about their patients' social circumstances, they had an explicit family nursing approach and were not at all against further expansion of their nursing role. However, there is a need for education in innovative ways of working that respond to and interact with informal support networks if nurses are to be able to contribute to empowerment of their patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Experiences of social support among participants in self-help groups related to coronary heart disease.

Self-help groups for coronary heart disease (CHD) patients were initiated by the Swedish National Association for Heart and Lung Patients in co-operation with Halland University College of Caring Science. Professional support was given in the form of a guidebook with health advice to be used at group meetings. The aims of this study were to describe the experiences of social support and the effects of health advice among people suffering from CHD and their next-of-kin participating in self-help groups. A questionnaire was developed containing three scales with questions about social support in connection with group participation and the effects of health advice shared during the programme. The results showed that 84% of participants knew about risk factors; all group members had changed their attitudes in some way concerning their life-style and 65% thought that they had changed their daily life activities as a consequence of the group participation. Most participants had experienced social support, through both support received (82%) and their own ability to provide support (7.1, scale range 0-10). In self-help groups layman support is the most effective kind of support, but the results indicate that health professionals also have an important role to play. In future research and clinical planning of rehabilitation of people with CHD, self-help groups, both from a human and economic point of view are well worth considering.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Patient participation in peer support groups after a cardiac event.

Peer support groups may be important in long-term rehabilitation after a cardiac event. Questions can be raised about the clients that peer support groups attract. The aim of this study was to compare people who chose to attend peer support groups after a cardiac event with people who declined to attend with regard to health conditions, personal traits, lifestyle and available social support. Patients who sustained a myocardial infarction or were treated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery (n = 197) responded to a questionnaire. The results showed that there were differences between attenders (n = 64) and non-attenders (n = 133). Attenders reported more health problems than non-attenders, but scored higher on several dimensions of social support. Non-attenders, however, seemed to have a somewhat more relaxed attitude to life than attenders. The homogeneity of the subjects made it difficult to discern which personal and situational factors were of importance for social support seeking in peer support groups. The research indicates that innovative approaches are needed to encourage participation in existing peer support groups.

Attitude to Health↗