Domain Framework-Social Health
Social health encompasses participation in activities with others, carrying out
one’s usual roles and responsibilities, and relationships and connections with important
others. These include the ability to relate to individuals, groups, communities
and society as a whole. The term “social health” refers to a higher-order domain,
with measurable sub-domains. These sub-domains include social function (e.g., performance
of one’s usual roles and responsibilities) and social relationships (e.g., understanding
and communication, companionship, and the quality, reciprocity, and size of an individual’s
social network).
Social function is defined as involvement in, and satisfaction with, one’s usual
roles in life’s situations and activities. These roles may exist in marital relationships,
family responsibilities, work/school responsibilities and social activities. Social
function has also been referred to with terms such as role participation and social
adjustment. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of PROMIS data collected from
adults in 2005-2010 resulted in a conceptual division of social function into “ability
to participate in social roles and activities” and “satisfaction with social roles
and activities.” Each of these two components include social roles such
as work and family responsibilities, and more discretionary social activities
such as leisure activity and relationships with friends.
Social relationships encompass the ways in which individuals connect with important
others, including communication, companionship and understanding, and the quality,
reciprocity and size of an individual’s social network.
For a list of references, go to Domain Framework References.
Adult
Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities
(currently adults only) assesses the perceived ability to perform one’s usual social
roles and activities (e.g., “I have to limit my regular family activities”). Items
are worded negatively in terms of perceived limitations, but responses are reverse-coded
so that higher scores represent fewer limitations (better abilities).
Satisfaction with Social Roles and Activities
(currently adults only) assesses satisfaction with performing one’s usual social
roles and activities (e.g., “I am satisfied with my ability to participate in family
activities”). Two preliminary item banks were created based on PROMIS Wave 1 data
(2005-2007): Satisfaction with Participation in Social Roles and Satisfaction with
Participation in Discretionary Social Activities. Supplemental data collection (2009-2010)
with revised item pools led to the creation of one overall item bank: Satisfaction
with Social Roles and Activities.
Quality of social support refers to functional aspects of supportive relationships,
i.e., interpersonal relationships that serve particular functions. This includes
the interactive process by which emotional, instrumental or informational support
is obtained from one's social network. It also includes companionship, feeling cared
for and valued as a person, communication with others, and feelings of belonging
and trust. Measures of social support generally seek information about a person’s
perception of the availability or adequacy of resources provided by others. Sub-domains
within quality of social support include the following:
Companionship
The PROMIS Companionship scale (currently adults only) assesses perceived availability
of someone with whom to share enjoyable social activities such as visiting, talking,
celebrations, etc.
Emotional Support
The PROMIS Emotional Support item bank (currently adults only) assesses perceived
feelings of being cared for and valued as a person; having confidant relationships.
Informational Support
The PROMIS Informational Support item bank (currently adults only) assesses perceived
availability of helpful information or advice.
Instrumental Support
The PROMIS Instrumental Support item bank (currently adults only) assesses perceived
availability of assistance with material, cognitive or task performance.
Social Isolation
The PROMIS Social Isolation item bank (currently adults only) assesses perceptions
of being avoided, excluded, detached, disconnected from, or unknown by, others.
Pediatric
Peer Relationships
Peer Relationships item bank (currently pediatrics only) assesses the quality of
relationships with friends and other acquaintances.