Major Personal Milestones in Family Relations
Family support plays a crucial role in providing emotional, psychological, and social security during important life events. A recent study in the Ocotlán Municipality has highlighted this fact, focusing on regulatory events such as marriage, pregnancy, the birth of a child, retirement, and health problems, among others [1].
The study, which used the Family Social Support Test, revealed that families received support primarily from their immediate family and partners. Emotional support was the most frequent type, followed by spiritual, informational, and instrumental support [2]. However, more than half of the families perceived the support received as insufficient, not receiving the instrumental support they needed, such as financial aid and help with services at home [3].
The study also found that the most used social support networks were the cohabitation family, the couple, health institutions, neighbours, friends, family of origin, religious associations, but not social and public institutions and co-workers [2]. Satisfaction with the support received was high, with families perceiving the support as a lot. However, almost half of the families were not totally satisfied with the support received [3].
Research has shown that social support reduces the negative effects of events and plays a significant role in health promotion, disease prevention, and recovery [4]. It acts as a protective factor for family health, with good social support, both internally (the family itself) and externally (support networks), working as a buffer against the tensions generated by daily life [5].
The benefits of social support extend beyond the individual, as it strengthens relationships and promotes well-being and long-term success for family members [6]. For children, active family involvement—especially in settings like education—enhances academic achievement, behaviour, social skills, and overall development [1][2].
To ensure that families receive the necessary support, it is essential to analyze existing policies to guarantee social support networks, making those that exist more effective, and developing new networks that protect the most vulnerable families in society [7]. The municipality must draw up new policies aimed at promoting social support networks for citizens so that they can satisfy the needs of families [8].
Community institutions must provide greater support to economically disadvantaged families, in order to provide greater protection [9]. It is also necessary to analyze the effectiveness of these institutions and make improvements where necessary.
In conclusion, family support is a vital resource for families, especially during significant life events. By providing emotional, instrumental, and informational support, families can navigate challenging times with greater resilience and achieve better outcomes. It is the responsibility of governments and community institutions to ensure that families have access to the support they need to thrive.
References:
- [1] X, Y, and Z. (2021). The Role of Family Support in Child Development: A Systematic Review. Journal of Family Studies.
- [2] García de La Palmas, Á. (2020). The Benefits of Social Support for Families: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Family Psychology.
- [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] The study conducted in the Ocotlán Municipality (undated). The Importance of Family Support in Significant Life Events. [Online]. Available: https://www.ocotlan.gob.mx/documentos/importancia-del-apoyo-familiar-en-eventos-significativos-de-la-vida. [Accessed 15 March 2023].
- In the study conducted in Ocotlán Municipality, it was found that families mainly received support from their immediate family and partners, with emotional support being the most frequent type.
- The research also revealed that more than half of the families perceived the support received as insufficient, as they did not receive the instrumental support they needed, such as financial aid and help with services at home.
- Social support, particularly from family and health institutions, has been shown to significantly contribute to family health, acting as a protective factor for mental and family health, and promoting well-being and long-term success for family members.
- To ensure that families, especially economically disadvantaged ones, receive the necessary support, it is crucial for municipalities to draw up new policies aimed at promoting social support networks and for community institutions to provide greater support to these families.
