Sources of help and social contacts in families in two communities

In this study, the social contacts made by families from two demographically different communities were explored. Besides differing in economic and other demographic ways, the two groups of families differ in ability to maintain treatment gains. Assessment of their social contacts was made in order to determine if this factor could be used to differentiate the two groups.

Those families likely to maintain treatment gains were labeled "low-risk"; those unlikely to maintain gains were called "high-risk." Both groups were asked to respond to a hypothetical situation in which their child is having specified problems and they have decided to seek help. Their reported sources of help are reviewed and discussed. Also, a different group of families from the same communities were interviewed biweekly to determine their daily pattern of social contacts, without reference to the search for help. These findings were also included in this study.

Results indicate essential similarity in the sources of help reported by both groups. Differences in daily social contacts were more pronounced. Low-risk families have a much higher rate of social contact and are more likely to initiate contact than high-risk families. These findings are discussed in terms of theory and practice. Methodological drawbacks are discussed.