Perception of Social Support by clients of a School Service of Psychology

• Main Author: Araújo Sousa, Lívia
• Publication Date: 2023
• Other Authors: Santos Silva, Rodrigo, Giele Martins de Aguiar, Karoline, Silva dos Reis, Nátaly Karolaine
• Format: Article
• Language: por
• Source: Psi Unisc
• Download full: https://seer.unisc.br/index.php/psi/article/view/18331
• topic: Apoyo social; Servicio escolar; Psicología; Apoio social; Serviço-escola; Psicologia; Social support; Service school; Psychology

Social support is related to the assistance a person receives from their social network, including family, friends, co-workers or community members. It may involve practical or informative support, such as advice, encouragement, guidance, companionship or even financial help, resulting in benefits for mental and physical health, helping to manage stress, overcoming blockages and providing feelings that can be considered positive. This study aims to evaluate the level of perception of social support and identify the profile of individuals who seek psychological care at a Clinical School of Psychology in the interior of Maranhão. The research is cross-sectional, descriptive and exploratory. A semi-structured interview was applied on sociodemographic data and questions related to demand. The EPSUS-A (Perceived Social Support Scale - adult version) was also used to assess the participants' perceived level of social support. Note that most participants have a low perception of social support in all four dimensions of the EPSUS-A. It was also possible to verify that variables such as age (RP: 5.61; 95%CI: 1.01-31.2), profession (PR: 8.49; 95%CI: 2.72 – 26.5), and religion (PR:2.95; 95%CI:1.06-8.21) were statistically associated with the perceived level of social support. From the research, it was possible to understand the perception of the social support network of individuals with demands for psychic suffering and to envision intervention possibilities that favor the strengthening and individual perception of this network, favoring the approximation between the subject in suffering and the care made available to them.