From the Guidelines
Social support is a crucial component of rehabilitation, as it improves psychological well-being, treatment adherence, and overall outcomes, with recent evidence suggesting its importance in cardiac rehabilitation programs. According to the 2024 update on core components of cardiac rehabilitation programs, curating a supportive environment and leveraging community resources are essential, with patient-reported benefits of social support and some evidence of beneficial peer-supported interventions for varied health promotion outcomes 1. The importance of social support in rehabilitation is further emphasized by the potential consequences of its absence, such as increased mortality risk due to persisting depression and anxiety.
Key aspects of social support in rehabilitation include:
- Practical assistance with daily activities, transportation, and exercises
- Emotional support, which buffers against depression and anxiety
- Motivation and accountability, helping patients maintain their rehabilitation regimens
- Facilitation of the transition from clinical rehabilitation to community reintegration
- Reduced stress hormone production and enhanced immune function due to positive social interactions
Healthcare providers recognize the importance of social support by incorporating family education and support group referrals into treatment plans, as recommended by guidelines for adult stroke rehabilitation and recovery, which suggest that family/caregiver support may be useful and include education, training, counseling, and development of a support structure 1. Therefore, healthcare providers should prioritize social support as a key component of rehabilitation programs, ensuring that patients have access to strong social networks and support systems to optimize their outcomes.
From the Research
Importance of Social Support in Rehabilitation
- Social support is crucial for individuals with serious mental illness (SMI), as it provides protective effects and promotes recovery and improved functioning 2.
- Perceived social support is strongly associated with recovery after injury, with patients who report weak or nonexistent social support being more likely to experience poor postdischarge outcomes 3.
- Social cognition is a significant predictor of perceived social support, highlighting the importance of social support in rehabilitation 2.
- Involving social networks during inpatient rehabilitation can help older stroke survivors and their informal caregivers establish a strong support system, which is essential for resuming valued activities after discharge 4.
Role of Social Support in Mental Health
- Social support networks can play a critical role in reducing anxiety and depression symptom severity in individuals with mental health conditions 5, 6.
- Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), which often incorporate social support elements, have been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety and depression symptoms 5, 6.
- Social support can help individuals with mental health conditions develop coping strategies and improve their overall mental health outcomes 2, 3.
Implications for Rehabilitation Practices
- Rehabilitation professionals should consider the strength of a patient's social support network when assessing their risk for poor postdischarge outcomes 3.
- Involving social networks during inpatient rehabilitation and providing education and support to patients and their caregivers can help establish a strong support system 4.
- Incorporating social support elements into rehabilitation programs, such as mindfulness-based interventions, can help improve mental health outcomes and promote recovery 5, 6.