Inouye et al used some simple questions to screen patients for their level of social support. The authors are from Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.
Items:
(1) number of significant social contacts (close relatives and friends) seen at least once a month
(2) Does the patient have a confidante?
(3) Does the patient have social contacts who provide emotional support?
(4) Does the patient have social contacts who provide instrumental support?
The responses for items 2, 3 and 4:
Response
Points
yes
1
no
0
total number of support types =
= SUM(points for items 2, 3 and 4)
Interpretation:
• The presence of <= 6 significant social contacts indicates a low number of contacts.
• The presence of <=1 support types indicates few social supports.
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