Journal Article

An examination of class differences in network capital, social support and psychological distress in Orleans Parish prior to Hurricane Katrina

Norris, Claire M, Avendano, Maryouri, Sultan, Dawood H, Davis, Brandy, Roberts, Makeda

2014

Overview

This study extends prior social support research by using an ego-centered network approach to explain class differences in perceptions of social support adequacy and, in turn, mental health outcomes (i.e., distress) across class strata. Data come from a 2003 study by the Center for the Study of Public Health Impacts of Hurricane at Louisiana State University. Independent samples t-tests and ordinary least squares regression analyses reveal differences in network capital, perceptions of social support adequacy, and levels of distress across social class. We find that working/lower-class individuals report being embedded in lower-ranging network structures than their affluent middle-class counterparts. Furthermore, for working/lower-class individuals, lower-ranging network structures positively affect perceptions of social support adequacy. We also find that although greater perceptions of social support adequacy reduce psychological distress, there are variations in class in how perceptions of social support affect psychological distress.

• Publisher: Routledge,eContent Management Pty Ltd,Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subject: 2005 / Adequacy / Class / Class Differences / Cultural Capital / Distress (Psychology) / Ego / expressive support / Health status / Hurricane Katrina / Hurricanes / instrumental support / Lower class / Mental health / Mental Health Services / Mental stress / Middle Class / Natural disasters / Networks / Older people / Outcome assessment (Medical care) / Perceptions / Psychological Distress / Public Health / Self concept / Social capital / Social classes / Social Networks / Social perception / Social structure / Social Support / Stress / Treatment Outcomes / U.S.A