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The influence of social networks on self-management support: a metasynthesis

The influence of social networks on self-management support: a metasynthesis
The influence of social networks on self-management support: a metasynthesis
Background
There is increasing recognition that chronic illness management (CIM) is not just an individual but a collective process where social networks can potentially make a considerable contribution to improving health outcomes for people with chronic illness. However, the mechanisms (processes, activities) taking place within social networks are insufficiently understood. The aim of this review was to focus on identifying the mechanisms linking social networks with CIM. Here we consider network mechanisms as located within a broader social context that shapes practices, behaviours, and the multiplicity of functions and roles that network members fulfil.

Methods
A systematic search of qualitative studies was undertaken on Medline, Embase, and Web for papers published between 1st January 2002 and 1st December 2013. Eligible for inclusion were studies dealing with diabetes, and with conditions or health behaviours relevant for diabetes management; and studies exploring the relationship between social networks, self-management, and deprivation. 25 papers met the inclusion criteria. A qualitative metasynthesis was undertaken and the review followed a line of argument synthesis.

Results
The main themes identified were: 1) sharing knowledge and experiences in a personal community; 2) accessing and mediation of resources; 3) self-management support requires awareness of and ability to deal with network relationships. These translated into line of argument synthesis in which three network mechanisms were identified. These were network navigation (identifying and connecting with relevant existing resources in a network), negotiation within networks (re-shaping relationships, roles, expectations, means of engagement and communication between network members), and collective efficacy (developing a shared perception and capacity to successfully perform behaviour through shared effort, beliefs, influence, perseverance, and objectives). These network mechanisms bring to the fore the close interdependence between social and psychological processes in CIM, and the intertwining of practical and moral dilemmas in identifying, offering, accepting, and rejecting support.

Conclusions
CIM policy and interventions could be extended towards: raising awareness about the structure and organisation of personal communities; building individual and network capacity for navigating and negotiating relationships and CIM environments; maximising the possibilities for social engagement as a way of increasing the effectiveness of individual and network efforts for CIM.
1471-2458
Vassilev, I.
d76a5531-4ddc-4eb2-909b-a2a1068f05f3
Rogers, Anne
105eeebc-1899-4850-950e-385a51738eb7
Kennedy, Anne
e059c1c7-d6d0-41c8-95e1-95e5273b07f8
Koetsenruijter, Jan
51d2c2c2-cdb2-4df1-8071-aeb911501773
Vassilev, I.
d76a5531-4ddc-4eb2-909b-a2a1068f05f3
Rogers, Anne
105eeebc-1899-4850-950e-385a51738eb7
Kennedy, Anne
e059c1c7-d6d0-41c8-95e1-95e5273b07f8
Koetsenruijter, Jan
51d2c2c2-cdb2-4df1-8071-aeb911501773

Vassilev, I., Rogers, Anne, Kennedy, Anne and Koetsenruijter, Jan (2014) The influence of social networks on self-management support: a metasynthesis. BMC Public Health, 14, [719]. (doi:10.1186/1471-2458-14-719).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Background
There is increasing recognition that chronic illness management (CIM) is not just an individual but a collective process where social networks can potentially make a considerable contribution to improving health outcomes for people with chronic illness. However, the mechanisms (processes, activities) taking place within social networks are insufficiently understood. The aim of this review was to focus on identifying the mechanisms linking social networks with CIM. Here we consider network mechanisms as located within a broader social context that shapes practices, behaviours, and the multiplicity of functions and roles that network members fulfil.

Methods
A systematic search of qualitative studies was undertaken on Medline, Embase, and Web for papers published between 1st January 2002 and 1st December 2013. Eligible for inclusion were studies dealing with diabetes, and with conditions or health behaviours relevant for diabetes management; and studies exploring the relationship between social networks, self-management, and deprivation. 25 papers met the inclusion criteria. A qualitative metasynthesis was undertaken and the review followed a line of argument synthesis.

Results
The main themes identified were: 1) sharing knowledge and experiences in a personal community; 2) accessing and mediation of resources; 3) self-management support requires awareness of and ability to deal with network relationships. These translated into line of argument synthesis in which three network mechanisms were identified. These were network navigation (identifying and connecting with relevant existing resources in a network), negotiation within networks (re-shaping relationships, roles, expectations, means of engagement and communication between network members), and collective efficacy (developing a shared perception and capacity to successfully perform behaviour through shared effort, beliefs, influence, perseverance, and objectives). These network mechanisms bring to the fore the close interdependence between social and psychological processes in CIM, and the intertwining of practical and moral dilemmas in identifying, offering, accepting, and rejecting support.

Conclusions
CIM policy and interventions could be extended towards: raising awareness about the structure and organisation of personal communities; building individual and network capacity for navigating and negotiating relationships and CIM environments; maximising the possibilities for social engagement as a way of increasing the effectiveness of individual and network efforts for CIM.

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More information

Accepted/In Press date: 1 July 2014
e-pub ahead of print date: 15 July 2014
Published date: 15 July 2014
Organisations: Faculty of Health Sciences

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 367530
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/367530
ISSN: 1471-2458
PURE UUID: 45812062-dd9f-499e-a1c6-ba7e83918b90
ORCID for I. Vassilev: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-2206-8247
ORCID for Anne Kennedy: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-4570-9104

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Date deposited: 21 Aug 2014 14:15
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:47

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Contributors

Author: I. Vassilev ORCID iD
Author: Anne Rogers
Author: Anne Kennedy ORCID iD
Author: Jan Koetsenruijter

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