Reference Articles Underlining the Impact of Isolation & the Importance of Community Care.

The benefits of social connection for individuals with exposure to trauma are highlighted in these various studies. Social connection and community care have been shown to reduce chances of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following trauma. Additionally, high social support is associated with better quality of life, reduced rates of houselessness, improved cognitive status, and reduced trauma-related distress.

Social support acts as a critical protective factor following traumatic events, enhancing coping mechanisms and promoting healing and resilience in individuals affected by trauma. These findings underscore the significance of social connections in mitigating the impact of trauma and fostering psychological well-being in affected individuals.

• Decreased Risk of Developing PTSD After Hardship

1. A number of factors contribute to how well people adapt to adversities, including the ways in which individuals view and engage with the world, the availability and quality of social resources, and specific coping strategies. Meta-analytic findings indicate that poor social support is one of the strongest predictors of development of PTSD.

Sippel, L. M., R. H. Pietrzak, D. S. Charney, L. C. Mayes, and S. M. Southwick. 2015. How does social support enhance resilience in the trauma-exposed individual? Ecology and Society 20(4):10. http://dx.doi.org/10.5751/ES-07832-200410

2. The article by Campbell-Sills investigates the impact of unit cohesion on the mental health of combat-exposed soldiers. It delves into whether unit cohesion acts as a protective factor at either the individual or unit level for those confronted with trauma. By exploring the relationship between social connection within the unit and post-deployment mental well-being, the study sheds light on the significant role of unit cohesion in mitigating the effects of trauma exposure on soldiers' mental health. The findings may underscore the importance of social support and cohesion in enhancing resilience and coping strategies for individuals facing traumatic experiences in a military context.

Campbell-Sills, L., Flynn, P. J., Choi, K. W., Ng, T. H. H., Aliaga, P. A., Broshek, C., Jain, S., Kessler, R. C., Stein, M. B., Ursano, R. J., & Bliese, P. D. (2020). Unit cohesion during deployment and post-deployment mental health: Is cohesion an individual- or unit-level buffer for combat-exposed soldiers? Psychological Medicine. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291720002482 

3. The study conducted by Na, Tsai, Southwick, and colleagues explores the impact of social support on the mental health of U.S. military veterans who have experienced trauma. By investigating the provision of social support and its relation to mental health outcomes, the research highlights the crucial role of social connections in promoting well-being among veterans. The findings suggest that adequate social support may act as a protective factor against mental health challenges stemming from trauma exposure in military settings. This study underscores the significance of fostering supportive relationships and networks to enhance resilience and mental health outcomes in veterans facing trauma-related difficulties.

Na, P.J., Tsai, J., Southwick, S.M. et al. Provision of social support and mental health in U.S. military veterans. npj Mental Health Res 1, 4 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44184-022-00004-9

4. The research conducted by Schwartz and Shrira delves into the role of social connectedness in older adults exposed to warfare and experiencing PTSD symptoms. The study examines how social connectedness moderates the relationship between warfare exposure, PTSD symptoms, and overall health outcomes in older individuals. The findings suggest that strong social connections serve as a buffering mechanism, mitigating the negative impact of warfare exposure and PTSD symptoms on health among older adults. By emphasizing the protective effects of social connectedness, the study emphasizes the importance of supportive social networks in promoting resilience and well-being in the face of trauma-related challenges for older individuals.

Schwartz E, Shrira A. Social Connectedness Moderates the Relationship Between Warfare Exposure, PTSD Symptoms, and Health Among Older Adults. Psychiatry. 2019 Summer;82(2):158-172. doi: 10.1080/00332747.2018.1534521. Epub 2018 Nov 7. PMID: 30403929; PMCID: PMC6504622.

5. The study by Qi investigates the impact of social support on Chinese adults who lost their only child and were diagnosed with PTSD. The research examines how social support influences the relationship between PTSD diagnosis and the volume of the medial frontal region in these individuals. The findings suggest that social support plays a crucial role in moderating the association between PTSD and changes in brain structure, highlighting its importance in buffering the negative effects of trauma on brain health. By revealing the protective effects of social support, the research highlights the importance of supportive connections in lessening the effects of trauma and PTSD on individuals who have undergone significant loss.

Qi, R., Luo, Y., Zhang, L., Weng, Y., Surento, W., Jahanshad, N., Xu, Q., Yin, Y., Li, L., Cao, Z., Thompson, P. M., & Lu, G. M. (2020). Social support modulates the association between PTSD diagnosis and medial frontal volume in Chinese adults who lost their only child. Neurobiology of Stress, 13, Article 100227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ynstr.2020.100227

• Decreased Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors 

1. School belonging, emotional neglect by family, and internalized self-stigma made a unique, statistically significant contribution to the past 6-month suicidality. Results have significant practice and policy implications. Findings offer guidance for practitioners working with parents and caregivers of trans youth, and for the creation of practices which foster interpersonal belonging for transgender youth.

Austin, A., Craig, S. L., D’Souza, S., & McInroy, L. B. (2022). Suicidality Among Transgender Youth: Elucidating the Role of Interpersonal Risk Factors. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 37(5-6), NP2696-NP2718. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260520915554

2. "Older adults receiving support services are a population at risk for self-harm due to physical illness and functional impairment, which are known risk factors.[...]Psychiatric factors are the most significant predictors for nonfatal self-harm among older adults receiving support services. Our results can be used to inform healthcare professionals for timely identification of people at high risk of self-harm and the development of more efficient and targeted prevention strategies, with specific attention to individuals with depression or depressive symptoms, particularly in the first year of follow-up."

Cheung G, Chai Y, Troya MI, Luo H. Predictive factors of nonfatal self-harm among community-dwelling older adults assessed for support services. Int Psychogeriatr. 2022 Sep;34(9):813-826. doi: 10.1017/S1041610220003853. Epub 2020 Dec 18. PMID: 33336632.

3. There is a growing body of research involving transgender (trans) individuals that foregrounds elevated rates of suicidality in trans populations. Peer support is increasingly studied as a protective factor against suicide among trans persons.

Kia H, MacKinnon KR, Abramovich A, Bonato S. Peer support as a protective factor against suicide in trans populations: A scoping review. Soc Sci Med. 2021 Jun;279:114026. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114026. Epub 2021 May 11. PMID: 34010778.

4. Among all students, family support was associated with lower odds of sexual violence and self-harm, while school support was associated with lower odds of dating violence and nonsuicidal self-injury. There were significant interactions between gender, violence, and support. The protective effects of support were less pronounced for gender minority students than for cisgender students.

Ross-Reed DE, Reno J, Peñaloza L, Green D, FitzGerald C. Family, School, and Peer Support Are Associated With Rates of Violence Victimization and Self-Harm Among Gender Minority and Cisgender Youth. J Adolesc Health. 2019 Dec;65(6):776-783. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2019.07.013. Epub 2019 Sep 27. PMID: 31564618.

• Reduced Rates of Houselessness

1. The article by Fitzpatrick-Lewis conducts a rapid systematic review focusing on interventions to enhance the health and housing situation of homeless individuals. The review highlights the significance of supportive connections in yielding positive outcomes for homeless populations. By assessing various interventions, the research reveals the crucial role of social support in promoting health and stability in housing situations for homeless individuals. The findings suggest that interventions incorporating supportive networks are crucial for achieving successful outcomes in improving the well-being and housing status of homeless individuals. This study emphasizes the need for holistic approaches that recognize and leverage the power of supportive connections in addressing the complex needs of homeless populations.

Fitzpatrick-Lewis, D., Ganann, R., Krishnaratne, S., Ciliska, D., Kouyoumdjian, F., Hwang, S. W. (2011). Effectiveness of interventions to improve the health and housing status of homeless people: a rapid systematic review. BMC Public Health, 11, 638. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-11-638.

2. The research by Padgett delves into the experiences of formerly homeless individuals with serious mental illness and how life course adversity shapes their trajectories. The study emphasizes the significance of social support networks in the lives of these individuals, illustrating the pivotal role of supportive connections in achieving housing stability. Through qualitative exploration, the research sheds light on how supportive relationships contribute to the recovery process and housing outcomes for formerly homeless individuals with mental health challenges. The findings underscore the importance of fostering strong social support networks to enhance housing stability and overall well-being in vulnerable populations. This study highlights the transformative impact of supportive connections in providing stability and resilience for individuals who have faced homelessness and mental health struggles.

Padgett DK, Smith BT, Henwood BF, Tiderington E. Life course adversity in the lives of formerly homeless persons with serious mental illness: context and meaning. Am J Orthopsychiatry. 2012 Jul;82(3):421-30. doi: 10.1111/j.1939-0025.2012.01159.x. PMID: 22880980; PMCID: PMC3422756.

• Increased Human Potential

1. In her article, Fredrickson explores the crucial role of positive emotions, including those facilitated by supportive connections. The Broaden-and-Build theory posits that positive emotions broaden individuals' mindsets, leading to increased creativity, resilience, and cognitive flexibility. Nurturing supportive connections help to cultivate a pathway toward optimal functioning and flourishing. By fostering positive emotions through supportive connections, individuals are better equipped to build personal resources such as social skills and optimism, ultimately enhancing their potential for growth and well-being. 

Fredrickson, B. L. (2001). The role of positive emotions in positive psychology: The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. American Psychologist, 56(3), 218-226. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.56.3.218.

2. By examining the relationship between social support and performance outcomes, these findings suggest that strong social support networks contribute to the realization of human potential, demonstrating the power of interpersonal connections in facilitating personal and professional development. Ajilchi and colleagues further reveal the pivotal role of supportive relationships and the positive impact of social support on individual performance and growth.

Ajilchi, B., Levoy, G. S., Kanikireddy, S., & Relhan, N. (2016). The impact of social support on human potential and performance. International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 20(1), 22-37.