The Impact of Attending Social Support Groups on Levels of Resilience in Older Adults

O'Callaghan, Rachel (2019) The Impact of Attending Social Support Groups on Levels of Resilience in Older Adults. Undergraduate thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

Resilience is defined as a trait or process that facilitates positive adaptation in the face of adverse events. Studies investigating resilience in older adults are sparse, but the existing literature suggests that psychological resilience might increase with age, and that resilience is positively associated with mental and physical health. Social support has been identified as one predictor of resilience, but to date research in this area has focused on social contact with family and friends. The main aim of the current study was to determine if after controlling for social support from family and friends using the Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6), would frequency of attendance to social support groups be a predictor of resilience scores in older adults, in Ireland. A quantitative cross-sectional design was used. A convenience sample of 59 older adults (age range 65-90 years; M = 75 years, SD = 7.2; 52.5% female) were recruited from four social support groups across Kildare and Cork and through social media pages. Participants completed the Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6), the Resilience Appraisal Scale (RAS) and a self-report questionnaire which measured demographics and frequency of participation in social support groups. Results found that only social support from family and friends was a significant predictor of resilience. The findings have important potential implications for the design and evaluation of interventions to promote both resilience and social support in the ageing population

Item Type:	Thesis (Undergraduate)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > Psychology B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > Psychology > Cognitive psychology H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare > Welfare of older people
Divisions:	School of Business > BA (Honours) in Psychology
Depositing User:	Caoimhe Ní Mhaicín
Date Deposited:	30 May 2019 12:18
Last Modified:	30 May 2019 12:18
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/3783

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