Associations between social support and glycemic control
varied depending on the measurement of social support. Multidimensional
assessments of social support may better represent the
complex multi-factorial nature of social support and the multiple
and interacting components that influence health. In accordance
with previous research, composite measures were more predictive
of biomedical outcomes than less complex measures [6]. Furthermore,
the consistent association between social support and health
in the wider literature may indicate that our review failed to detect
the active component(s) of social support, crucial for its effective
functioning.
In T2DM, improvements in self-management, psychological
functioning and biomedical outcomes are seen following formalized
support interventions; support provided, for the most part, by
strangers [14]. Naturally occurring relationships (e.g. friends and
family) may exert a greater influence on health than support
provided by health care professionals [6] or strangers [58