Perceived Social Support Following Extremity Trauma: Does Sex Matter?
Location
LSUHSC-NO Center for Advanced Learning and Simulation
Document Type
Presentation
Start Date
21-6-2025 10:20 AM
End Date
21-6-2025 11:15 AM
Publication Date
June 2025
Description
Introduction: Following a traumatic injury, patients in recovery often face challenges performing daily activities and may depend on support from others to manage their regular responsibilities. Existing research in orthopaedic trauma has identified two patient-reported factors that significantly affect fracture recovery outcomes: self-perceived social support and self-efficacy. However, current research frequently lacks detailed information about the study participants’ individual characteristics, or studies primarily include male subjects. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate how various demographic characteristics and social roles, particularly sex and caregiving, impact traumatic fracture patients' self-reported perceptions of self-efficacy and social support.
Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted at the University Medical Center LSUHSC Orthopaedic Trauma Clinic. Adults between the ages of 18 to 79 who had sustained at least one new extremity fracture within six weeks of study enrollment date were eligible to participate. Upon providing informed consent and HIPAA authorization, patients completed a questionnaire consisting of demographic information along with three surveys from the NIH PROMIS Item Bank. These surveys included the General Self-Efficacy instrument and two short forms that assess Emotional Support and Instrumental Support. All three surveys were rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Participant responses were compared by linear regression analysis using T-scores, with respect to normative population values. Differences between sexes were examined, controlling for age, ethnicity, education, and caregiving roles for children and/or adults.
Results: The study has enrolled 52 subjects to date, comprising of 66% male and 33% female. Among these participants, 25% indicated that they were the primary caregiver to a child or adult, and 38% reported a spouse or partner living in the home. When comparing the study population to normative values for each survey, social roles and household composition did not affect patient reported outcomes for female patients. However, male patients reported lower levels of self-efficacy (p = 0.014, β = -8.8 [95%CI -15.7 - -1.9]) and higher levels of instrumental support (p = 0.049, β = 6.1 [95%CI 0.03-12.1]) if there was a partner/spouse in the household. Also, patient reported available emotional support was negatively associated with Hispanic/Latino ethnicity (p = 0.049, β = -6.7 [95%CI -12.7 - -0.6]).
Discussion: While we did not find predictors in patient reported outcomes for female patients, it does appear there are perceived differences in self-efficacy and social support based on social roles between the sexes. Notably, findings also suggest that certain ethnicities may be associated with lower levels of social support. These findings may be due to societal and cultural influences on relationship dynamics.
Significance/Clinical relevance: Understanding the relationship between gender, self-efficacy, and social support can aid healthcare professionals in identifying patients that may be particularly challenged by the difficulties of traumatic fracture recovery and in connecting those patients with the appropriate resources to aid in their recovery.
Recommended Citation
Lejeune, Anna, "Perceived Social Support Following Extremity Trauma: Does Sex Matter?" (2025). Dept. of Orthopaedics: Robert D. D’Ambrosia Lectureship & Research Day. 4.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/ortho_rd/2025/presentation2/4
Perceived Social Support Following Extremity Trauma: Does Sex Matter?
LSUHSC-NO Center for Advanced Learning and Simulation
Introduction: Following a traumatic injury, patients in recovery often face challenges performing daily activities and may depend on support from others to manage their regular responsibilities. Existing research in orthopaedic trauma has identified two patient-reported factors that significantly affect fracture recovery outcomes: self-perceived social support and self-efficacy. However, current research frequently lacks detailed information about the study participants’ individual characteristics, or studies primarily include male subjects. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate how various demographic characteristics and social roles, particularly sex and caregiving, impact traumatic fracture patients' self-reported perceptions of self-efficacy and social support.
Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted at the University Medical Center LSUHSC Orthopaedic Trauma Clinic. Adults between the ages of 18 to 79 who had sustained at least one new extremity fracture within six weeks of study enrollment date were eligible to participate. Upon providing informed consent and HIPAA authorization, patients completed a questionnaire consisting of demographic information along with three surveys from the NIH PROMIS Item Bank. These surveys included the General Self-Efficacy instrument and two short forms that assess Emotional Support and Instrumental Support. All three surveys were rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Participant responses were compared by linear regression analysis using T-scores, with respect to normative population values. Differences between sexes were examined, controlling for age, ethnicity, education, and caregiving roles for children and/or adults.
Results: The study has enrolled 52 subjects to date, comprising of 66% male and 33% female. Among these participants, 25% indicated that they were the primary caregiver to a child or adult, and 38% reported a spouse or partner living in the home. When comparing the study population to normative values for each survey, social roles and household composition did not affect patient reported outcomes for female patients. However, male patients reported lower levels of self-efficacy (p = 0.014, β = -8.8 [95%CI -15.7 - -1.9]) and higher levels of instrumental support (p = 0.049, β = 6.1 [95%CI 0.03-12.1]) if there was a partner/spouse in the household. Also, patient reported available emotional support was negatively associated with Hispanic/Latino ethnicity (p = 0.049, β = -6.7 [95%CI -12.7 - -0.6]).
Discussion: While we did not find predictors in patient reported outcomes for female patients, it does appear there are perceived differences in self-efficacy and social support based on social roles between the sexes. Notably, findings also suggest that certain ethnicities may be associated with lower levels of social support. These findings may be due to societal and cultural influences on relationship dynamics.
Significance/Clinical relevance: Understanding the relationship between gender, self-efficacy, and social support can aid healthcare professionals in identifying patients that may be particularly challenged by the difficulties of traumatic fracture recovery and in connecting those patients with the appropriate resources to aid in their recovery.
Comments
Student and Fellow Presentation