Abstract

PALOMAR LEVER, Joaquina  and  CIENFUEGOS MARTINEZ, Yessica Ivet. Poverty and social support: a comparative study in three socioeconomic levels. Interam. j. psychol. [online]. 2007, vol.41, n.2, pp. 177-188. ISSN 0034-9690.

Several studies have reported that social support promotes the mental and physical well-being. The people that feel supported by their friends and family, present less anxiety and depression, have a stronger immune system and a greater self-esteem. The current research had the objective the social support perception of three socioeconomic groups (N=918) and its relations with some psychological variables as self-esteem, coping, locus of control, depression, achievement motivation and subjective well-being. The findings show that for the three groups the main source of support is the nuclear family, followed by the church and the religion. However, some differences in the perception of the social support between the groups do exist, and also certain characteristics of personality were found to be associated with a greater social support perceived.

Keywords : Assistence (social behavior); Poverty; Social networks.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )