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Objectives Recent literature has demonstrated the nature and importance of social networks. This study aimed to understand how support needs of people with long-term conditions change over time and how this influences their ability to self-manage. Methods A longitudinal qualitative design was used to explore changes in individual’s social networks over a period of year. Thirty participants were recruited and completed initial in-depth face-to-face interviews, telephone follow-ups, and final face-to-face interviews. Results Findings illuminated that changes in health and changes in social networks can influence each other. The social networks implicated in the management of long-term conditions change over time at critical moments and can range between positive and negative reciprocal influences with self-management. Network changes, such as the breaking or reconnecting of ties influenced the context of health management and the degree of engagement with self-management activities. Discussion By examining the specific processes of support and resource provision, this study highlights how overtime the variety of relationships and support available implicated in long-term condition management changes. This has implications for the provision of formal support services and the need for a wider range of support to be identified that recognises change in support requirements as self-management strategies evolve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To examine the role of community groups to support people living with long-term conditions and the organisational factors that influence this role. Methods: Thirty-three semi-structured interviews were conducted with voluntary group organisers purposefully sampled in Greater Manchester from a local database of community groups. Interviews explored the organisations role in supporting people living with a long-term condition, their social networks and the origins of the groups. Results: Respondents' construed their role in supporting individual capacity for management either explicitly (e.g. providing exercise) or implicitly (e.g. emotional support). This role was influenced by a combination of group ideology, funding and social networks. Analysis highlights the role of the non-clinical setting, the social support provided within the group, as well as organisational processes that influenced their capacity to support people living with long-term conditions. Conclusion: By examining the organisation of voluntary groups, this study highlights the way in which they may support or constrain access to an extended range of support for people with longterm conditions. This paper has implications for commissioning of services by the health service from the third sector because of the differing ideological perspectives and limited operationalcapacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study conducted to analyze experiences and perceptions of prognosis and recovery for those with long-term physical conditions without having any mental illness. It is noted that the study analyzed similarities and differences in the experience of chronic physical and mental health conditions in the context of literature from the mental and physical health fields to add to existing literature in the field.

Background: Existing literature on the design of interventions and health policy about self-management have tended to focus on individual-centred definitions of self-care and there is growing recognition of the need to extend consideration beyond individual factors, which determine self-care, to examine wider influences such as the health service, the family and the wider social context. Aims: To explore the theoretical and empirical links between social networks, social capital and the self-care practices associated with chronic illness work and management in the context of people’s everyday lives. Method: A realist review method was used to search and appraise relevant quantitative and qualitative literature. Findings: The review findings indicate that social networks play an important part in the management of long-term conditions. We found that social networks tend to be defined narrowly and are primarily used as a way of acknowledging the significance of context. There is insufficient discussion in the literature of the specific types of networks that support or undermine self-care as well as an understanding of the processes involved. This necessitates shifting the emphasis of self-care towards community and network-centred approaches, which may also prove more appropriate for engaging people in socially and economically deprived contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]