Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 16, 2025

The Social Dimension of Stress: Experimental Manipulations of Social Support and Social Identity in the Trier Social Stress Test
Published on: November 19, 2015
Social support can mitigate socioeconomic disparities in trauma patients
S Ilkhani1, C K Zogg2, I G Alty3
1Center for Surgery and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Trauma, Burn, and Surgical Critical Care, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
Background:
Socioeconomic status (SES) worsens post-injury outcomes, whereas strong support networks aid recovery. The interplay of support networks and SES remains unclear.
Methods:
Adult trauma patients from three level-1 trauma centers were interviewed 6 months post-injury to assess their outcomes. Interaction effects and adjusted probabilities were calculated to evaluate the outcomes across SES and support network levels.
Results:
This study analyzed 1243 participants. Adverse outcomes were higher in participants with Low SES and weaker support networks. There were significant negative interactions for PTSD (p < 0.001). High SES + Low support and Low SES + High support had similar probabilities of PTSD (18.75 % vs. 13.9 %, p = 0.126), return to work (32.7 % vs. 43.6 %, p = 0.118), chronic pain (50.9 % vs. 59.3 %, p = 0.135), and functional dependence (35.5 % vs. 35.9 %, p = 0.922).
Conclusion:
Social support and SES may offset each other's effects on trauma recovery, highlighting the potential of network-based interventions to reduce SES-related disparities.
Related Concept Videos
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques V
Self-Help Support Groups
Accessibility and Cost-Effectiveness
One of the primary strengths of self-help...
Group Therapy
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
Nephrotic Syndrome III : Nursing Management

