Investigation of social support as a mediator of the relationship between physical and psychological health among hospitalised patients

Abstract

Aim

To investigate the self-reported levels of social support from friends and family and from nurses as mediators of the relationship between self-rated physical and psychological condition in hospitalised patients.

Design

Cross-sectional study of adult inpatients at a large tertiary-care hospital in the northeast United States.

Methods

Multiple mediation analysis of survey data.

Results

In surveys received from 324 inpatients, one fourth of the variation in patients' self-rated psychological condition was explained by self-rated physical condition. Social support from family and friends mediated a significant proportion (11.0%) of the relationship between self-rated physical and psychological condition, however social support from nurses did not.

Conclusion

Social support from family and friends can positively influence the psychological health of inpatients, but nurses are not an adequate replacement for the social support provided by family and friends.

Implications for Nursing

Although nurses cannot replace the social support provided by family and friends, the assessment of social isolation and care planning of interventions to support patients is a fundamental nursing role. Technology to connect patients with friends and family should be used to mitigate isolation for hospitalised patients unable to receive in-person visits from loved ones.

Impact

The influence of social support from family and friends and nurses was addressed. The study found social support from family and friends, but not nurses, to influence the relationship between physical and psychological ratings. This finding has implications for the role of nurses in the hospital setting.

Reporting Method

Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines were followed.