The Coping Club: Social Supports
Topic: Social Supports
Social support is the perception and actuality that one is cared for, has assistance available from other people, and most popularly, that one is part of a supportive social network. These supportive resources can be emotional, informational, or companionship; tangible or intangible.
The Stress Bucket - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KYC5SsJjx8
Research shows that good social relations improve overall happiness. On the other hand, loneliness and low social support is linked to depression and anxiety.
Developing a working relationship, even if it's just with one person, can help combat feelings of isolation or loneliness.
Cutrona and Suhr define a social support category system, which involves five general categories of social support.
- Informational support refers to messages that include knowledge or facts, such as advice or feedback on actions.
- Emotional support is related to the expressions that include caring, concern, empathy, and sympathy.
- Esteem support is defined as the messages that help to promote one's skills, abilities, and intrinsic value.
- Social network support is defined as the messages that help to enhance self belonging to a specific group with similar interests or situations
- Tangible support is conceived as physically providing needed goods and services to recipients.
Social Support at Work
The more social support workers have, the more involved, committed and satisfied they are. Workers are happier and more productive, want to stay working with the organization for the long-term and are much more likely to perform to their highest potential.
How to Increase Social Support at Work
- Peer support - eg. join group/professional association
- Explore wellness opportunities that may exist
- Formal mentorship program
- Embrace social interactions (eg. sit with others at lunch)
- Recognizing and reach out when you need support
- Shadow someone
What gets in the way?
- Fear about being judged
- Worry about being a bother
- Fear of negative consequences
- Pride
- Feeling ashamed
- Feel insecure, 'weak'
- Not wanting to be seen as 'stupid'
Strategies to Cope
- Reach out to the right person (Eg. co-worker vs. boss)
- Acknowledge and accept difficult emotions as they arise
- There are no stupid questions
- Reframe your thinking - learning opportunity, reaching out takes strength
- Start small - small disclosures
- Recognizing that everyone needs help at work
Ways to Support Others at Work
- Offer help/assistance
- Checking in with co-workers
- Be supportive, positive
- Ask: what kind of support do you need? (eg. solution focused vs. supportive)
- Praise and gratitude
- Work as a team
Social Support at Home
- It can difficult to be social after a long day at work, but creating healthy habits at home can ease this burden.
- Finding a balance between how we spend our emotional and physical energy throughout the day - 50/50 personal vs. occupational
- Examples: finding hobbies, interests, friend group, neighbourhood group, mom group
