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Indicator: Social Support

Data and Data Discussion provided by Communities Count

Figure 1: Average Level of Social Support

Figure 2: Level of Social Support by Race, Income and Relationship Status

Figure 3: Percent of Adults Coping Very Well with Child-Rearing

Figure 4: Percent of Adults Who Have Help with Child-Rearing

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Upstream Indicators

There are currently no published Upstream Indicators.

Downstream Indicators
  •   Perceived Neighborhood Safety --- The average level of perceived neighborhood safety among King County residents in 2007 was not significantly different from 2001. Levels of perceived safety are not equal among regions or different populations.  (view data graph)
  •   Physical and Mental Health Restrictions --- The percentage of King County adults with severe activity limitation increased between 1998 and 2007. This local finding is consistent with national trends. This local increase corresponds to worsening trends nationally.  (view data graph)
  •   Stress --- There was no significant increase or decrease in the average stress score for adults in King County between 2001 and 2004.   (view data graph)
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Related Goals

A strong social network makes us feel connected to others, which is crucial to our well-being. When we have a support system to encourage us and make us feel special, we are more likely to make healthy living choices which contribute to overall life satisfaction.

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Sustainability Snapshot:

Social support provides people with the emotional and practical resources they need. Receiving affection, companionship and assistance from family and friends makes people feel loved, esteemed, valued and secure. A strong social network enables people to make healthy decisions and feel connected to their communities, contributing to their happiness and overall life satisfaction. People in King County report relatively high levels of social support.

Sustainability Trend:

There are no significant differences in average social support level by region and no significant changes between 1999 and 2007. However, there was a downward turn in Seattle and South King County from 2004 to 2007.

Data Discussion

The Indicator Defined

Average level of Social Support in King County based on survey using 9 questions which asked about specific types of social support that the respondents believe they can rely on. These questions measure perceived social support of various types: a) emotional support, love, and empathy, b) instrumental or tangible support, c) information, guidance, or feedback, d) appraisal support, which helps the person evaluate herself, and e) companionship in leisure and recreational activities.

Data Interpretation/Evaluation

Social support was measured by asking people 9 questions about specific types of social support they believe they can rely on. Answers to the 9 questions were added to create a social support scale with a possible score between 9 (Low) and 45 (High). (Figure 1)

In 2007, the average social support score for adults in King County was 39.1. There were no statistically significant differences by region or between years. People in the South Region said that they were less likely to have someone to love and make them feel wanted in 2007 than in 2004. People who are white reported more social support than people of other races. People with incomes below $25,000 reported the lowest levels of social support. People living in a couple (either married or unmarried) had more social support than others who were separated, divorced, widowed or never married. The level of social support did not vary by age, gender or education.

In 2007, adults were asked about the challenges of parenting and how often they had help and support in
raising their children (Figures 3 and 4). 64% of those with children ages 0-5 and 58% of those with children ages 6-14 reported coping very well. Among those with children ages 0-5, the South Region reported higher coping levels than the North Region. People with incomes of $50,000 or more and those with a college education reported higher levels of coping.

Data Source and Limitations

The social support measures were contributed by Communities Count (www.communitiescount.org) and are from the King County Community Health Survey, 1999, 2001, 2004 and 2007, which used social support questions from the short version of the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (Cathy Sherbourne and Anita Stewart, 1991).

The limitations of an English-only telephone survey include the following: a) people who do not have a telephone are missed, b) people who do not speak English do not participate, c) people who have less education and lower incomes tend to be under-represented.

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