The Pave Project Report - Queen's University Belfast

The PAVE Project Report 107
SOCIAL SUPPORT VARIABLES
T
here were statistically significant differences in relation to social support
measures (t-tests). For instance, participants who were not able to talk freely
to their families (n=22) showed poorer general psychological health than those who
were able to talk freely with family members (n=49) (GHQ-30 mean scores: 14.91 v.
8.20). They also showed higher levels of depression (BDI-II mean scores: 26.14 v.
16.75) and higher PTSD severity (PDS mean scores: 32.68 v. 22.04), and these mean
differences were significant. However, the demographic variables (e.g., rural vs.
urban living) made no significant difference to the GHQ-30, BDI-II, and PDS scores.
Financial situation was related to general psychological health of participants, i.e.,
those who had worries about money (n=42) scored significantly higher in the GHQ-
30 (11.93 v. 6.38), BDI-II (26.14 v. 16.75), and PDS (32.68 v. 22.04) than those who
did not have such worries (n=29). In addition, those who had a paid job (n=28) scored
significantly lower in the GHQ-30 (6.11 v. 12.78) and the PDS (19 v. 29.22), than
those who were not in paid employment (n=46). Those who felt they had no spare
time (n=39) scored significantly higher in terms of depression symptoms (BDI-II
mean score 22.67 v. 15.72) than those who felt they had enough time (n=30).
Length of service use and the number of services used were not significantly related
to psychological health, depression, or PTSD severity. Statistically significant
differences were found only between those who had availed of indirect services and
reflexology, and the small number of yoga and psychotherapy users, and those who