Social support, material circumstance and health behaviour: Influences on health in First Nation and Inuit communities of Canada
An expansive literature describes the links between social support and health. Though the bulk of this evidence emphasizes the health-enhancing effect of social support, certain aspects can have negative consequences for health (e.g., social obligations). In the Canadian context, the geographically...
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ftunivwestonta:oai:ir.lib.uwo.ca:aprci-1212 2024-09-09T19:48:12+00:00 Social support, material circumstance and health behaviour: Influences on health in First Nation and Inuit communities of Canada Richmond, Chantelle A.M. Ross, Nancy A. 2008-01-01T08:00:00Z application/pdf https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/aprci/232 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2008.06.028 https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/context/aprci/article/1212/viewcontent/Social_support__material_circumstance_and_health_ehaviour__Influences_on_health_in_First_Nation_and_Inuit_communities_of_Canada.pdf unknown Scholarship@Western https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/aprci/232 doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2008.06.028 https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/context/aprci/article/1212/viewcontent/Social_support__material_circumstance_and_health_ehaviour__Influences_on_health_in_First_Nation_and_Inuit_communities_of_Canada.pdf Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi) Social support Narrative analysis Canada First Nation and Inuit health Indigenous groups Health behaviours Medicine and Health text 2008 ftunivwestonta https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2008.06.028 2024-08-23T04:54:11Z An expansive literature describes the links between social support and health. Though the bulk of this evidence emphasizes the health-enhancing effect of social support, certain aspects can have negative consequences for health (e.g., social obligations). In the Canadian context, the geographically small and socially interconnected nature of First Nation and Inuit communities provides a unique example through which to explore this relationship. Despite reportedly high levels of social support, many First Nation and Inuit communities endure broad social problems, thereby leading us to question the assumption that social support is primarily health protective. We draw from narrative analysis of inter- views with 26 First Nation and Inuit Community Health Representatives to critically exam- ine the health and social support relationship, and the social structures through which social support influences health. Findings indicate that there are health-enhancing and health-damaging properties of the health–social support relationship, and that the nega- tive dimensions can significantly outweigh the positive ones. Social support operates at different structural levels, beginning with the individual and extending toward family and community. These social structures are important as they reinforce an individual’s sense of belonging, however, these high-density networks can also exert conformity pres- sures and social obligations that promote health-damaging behaviours such as domestic violence and smoking. The poor material circumstances that characterize so many First Nation and Inuit communities add another layer of complexity as limited resources can trap individuals within the confines of their immediate social contexts. Research and policy interventions must pay close attention to the social context within which social support, health behaviours and material circumstances interact to influence health outcomes among First Nation and Inuit communities. Text inuit The University of Western Ontario: Scholarship@Western Canada Tive ENVELOPE(12.480,12.480,65.107,65.107) Social Science & Medicine 67 9 1423 1433 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
The University of Western Ontario: Scholarship@Western |
op_collection_id |
ftunivwestonta |
language |
unknown |
topic |
Social support Narrative analysis Canada First Nation and Inuit health Indigenous groups Health behaviours Medicine and Health |
spellingShingle |
Social support Narrative analysis Canada First Nation and Inuit health Indigenous groups Health behaviours Medicine and Health Richmond, Chantelle A.M. Ross, Nancy A. Social support, material circumstance and health behaviour: Influences on health in First Nation and Inuit communities of Canada |
topic_facet |
Social support Narrative analysis Canada First Nation and Inuit health Indigenous groups Health behaviours Medicine and Health |
description |
An expansive literature describes the links between social support and health. Though the bulk of this evidence emphasizes the health-enhancing effect of social support, certain aspects can have negative consequences for health (e.g., social obligations). In the Canadian context, the geographically small and socially interconnected nature of First Nation and Inuit communities provides a unique example through which to explore this relationship. Despite reportedly high levels of social support, many First Nation and Inuit communities endure broad social problems, thereby leading us to question the assumption that social support is primarily health protective. We draw from narrative analysis of inter- views with 26 First Nation and Inuit Community Health Representatives to critically exam- ine the health and social support relationship, and the social structures through which social support influences health. Findings indicate that there are health-enhancing and health-damaging properties of the health–social support relationship, and that the nega- tive dimensions can significantly outweigh the positive ones. Social support operates at different structural levels, beginning with the individual and extending toward family and community. These social structures are important as they reinforce an individual’s sense of belonging, however, these high-density networks can also exert conformity pres- sures and social obligations that promote health-damaging behaviours such as domestic violence and smoking. The poor material circumstances that characterize so many First Nation and Inuit communities add another layer of complexity as limited resources can trap individuals within the confines of their immediate social contexts. Research and policy interventions must pay close attention to the social context within which social support, health behaviours and material circumstances interact to influence health outcomes among First Nation and Inuit communities. |
format |
Text |
author |
Richmond, Chantelle A.M. Ross, Nancy A. |
author_facet |
Richmond, Chantelle A.M. Ross, Nancy A. |
author_sort |
Richmond, Chantelle A.M. |
title |
Social support, material circumstance and health behaviour: Influences on health in First Nation and Inuit communities of Canada |
title_short |
Social support, material circumstance and health behaviour: Influences on health in First Nation and Inuit communities of Canada |
title_full |
Social support, material circumstance and health behaviour: Influences on health in First Nation and Inuit communities of Canada |
title_fullStr |
Social support, material circumstance and health behaviour: Influences on health in First Nation and Inuit communities of Canada |
title_full_unstemmed |
Social support, material circumstance and health behaviour: Influences on health in First Nation and Inuit communities of Canada |
title_sort |
social support, material circumstance and health behaviour: influences on health in first nation and inuit communities of canada |
publisher |
Scholarship@Western |
publishDate |
2008 |
url |
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/aprci/232 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2008.06.028 https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/context/aprci/article/1212/viewcontent/Social_support__material_circumstance_and_health_ehaviour__Influences_on_health_in_First_Nation_and_Inuit_communities_of_Canada.pdf |
long_lat |
ENVELOPE(12.480,12.480,65.107,65.107) |
geographic |
Canada Tive |
geographic_facet |
Canada Tive |
genre |
inuit |
genre_facet |
inuit |
op_source |
Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi) |
op_relation |
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/aprci/232 doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2008.06.028 https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/context/aprci/article/1212/viewcontent/Social_support__material_circumstance_and_health_ehaviour__Influences_on_health_in_First_Nation_and_Inuit_communities_of_Canada.pdf |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2008.06.028 |
container_title |
Social Science & Medicine |
container_volume |
67 |
container_issue |
9 |
container_start_page |
1423 |
op_container_end_page |
1433 |
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1809917552241934336 |