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Social Support
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How Social Support Impact Health
Social support play a significant role in enhancing both physical and mental well-being, contributing to longer and healthier lives. Strong social networks can provide emotional comfort, practical assistance, and a sense of belonging, all of which can reduce stress and promote resilience1. A lack of social support can magnify problems, leading to increased stress, loneliness, and negative health outcomes in both the short and long term. Understanding the level of social support community members have can offer critical insights into a population’s overall well-being and inform focused interventions.
Adults Reporting Inadequate Support
Why this is important: Social and emotional support is crucial for reducing social isolation and loneliness, contributing to longer, healthier lives and overall well-being. Relationships with family, friends, neighbors, or co-workers are vital for mental health, as they help reduce stress, provide interpersonal connections, and strengthen community ties. Higher levels of social support are also associated with a reduced risk of physical health problems, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, dementia, more frequent hospitalizations, and early death2. Enhancing opportunities for social interaction and fostering relationships within social networks or communities can significantly improve long-term physical and mental health.
Definition: Percent of adults reporting inadequate social and emotional support
Trend: In Whatcom County, the percent of adults who report inadequate levels of emotional and social support rose to a a quarter in 2022 (25.5%), but there is no significant change since 2012.
Geography: The percent of adults reporting inadequate support in Whatcom County is similar to that across Washington State.
Disparities: Among adults in Whatcom County that report inadequate support, disparities exist for racial group. Hover over the data in the subpopulation tabs to discover more.
Learn more:
- Social Cohesion Literature Summary, Healthy People 2030.
- Social Connection, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community, US Department of Health and Human Services, 2023.
Youth with Adult Support
Why this is important: Young people who have at least one stable and supportive relationship with a trusted adult are more likely to thrive. Trusted adults can be a parent, teacher, coach, family friend, or neighbor. Youth with trusted adults in their lives are less likely to engage in high-risk behaviors and more likely to succeed in school and develop strong social-emotional skills. The guidance and support of a trusted adult can provide adolescents with a sense of security and belonging, which is essential for their development, resilience, and overall well-being. The Healthy People 2030 national target is 82.9% (ages 12-17).
Definition: Percent of 10th grade students who report having an adult in the community they can talk about something important
Trend: The proportion of Whatcom County 10th grade students who report having adult support in their neighborhood or community remained constant from 2012-18. Following the COVID-19 Pandemic, the proportion students decreased who report this type of support. Caution should be used when interpreting 2021 survey data until further data is available.
Geography: In 2021, the proportion of 10th grade students who report having adult support in Whatcom County (69.3%) is significantly higher than that of Washington State (65.3%).
Disparities: In 2021, disparities exist among students who report adult support with regard to sexual orientation and racial group. Hover over the data in the subpopulation tabs to discover more.
Learn more:
- Be a Trusted Adult for Young People in Your Life, National Alliance on Mental Illness.
- The Developmental Assets® Framework, Search Institute.
Youth with Parental Support
Why this is important: When youth feel they can ask a parent or guardian for help, they can get assistance with resolving problems and gain a sense of security and support. Young people feeling they can ask a parent or guardian for help is one factor contributing to decreased likelihood of engaging in high-risk behaviors and increased healthy social development, resilience, and school success.
Definition: Percent of 10th grade students who report they could ask their parent or guardian for help when they had a personal problem
Trend: After 2012, the percent of 10th grade students who report they could ask a parent for help with a personal problem in Whatcom County increased significantly in 2014. Between 2014-18, the percent of student who report they could ask a parent remained steady. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, this number did not change. Caution should be used when interpreting 2021 survey data until further data is available.
Geography: The percent of 10th grade students in Whatcom County who report they could ask a parent for help with a personal problem is similar to that across Washington State.
Disparities: Among Whatcom County 10th grade students in 2021 who report they could ask a parent for help with a personal problem, there is evidence of disparities for gender identity, sexual orientation, and racial group.
Youth Engaged in After-School Activities
Why this is important: Young people’s participation in supervised after-school activities can foster social connection with peers, skill development, and meaningful relationships with adults. Engaging in after-school activities provides an alternative to high-risk behaviors and can support youth’s academic, physical, artistic, and social development.
Definition: Percent of 10th grade students who report participating in supervised after-school activities either at school or away from school (such as sports, art, music, dance, drama, or community service, religious, or club activities)
Trend: Between 2014-18, the percent of 10th grade students who report participating in supervised after-school activities declined significantly. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, this percentage was reported at 59% in Whatcom County. Caution should be used when interpreting 2021 survey data until further data is available.
Geography: The percent of 10th grade students in Whatcom County who report participating in supervised after-school activities is similar to that across Washington State.
Disparities: In 2021 among 10th grade students in Whatcom County who report participating in supervised after-school activities, evidence of disparities is found for gender identity and racial groups.
Learn more:
- Whatcom YMCA After School Teen Center Programming
- This is afterschool in Washington, Afterschool Alliance, 2023.
- The evidence base for afterschool and summer, Afterschool Alliance, 2021.
- Afterschool Programs, Youth.Gov.
Youth Eat with Family
Why this is important: Shared mealtimes provide an opportunity for families – regardless of how they are defined – to connect, foster communication, and strengthen family bonds. Research shows that regular family meals are associated with healthier eating habits, better academic performance, and lower rates of substance abuse and depression in adolescents3.
Definition: Percent of 10th grade students who report eating dinner with their family
Trend: Between 2014-18, the percent of 10th grade students who report eating dinner with their family in Whatcom County declined significantly. Following the COVID-19 Pandemic, this number rose slightly in 2021. Caution should be used when interpreting 2021 survey data until further data is available.
Geography: The percent of 10th grade students in Whatcom County who report eating dinner with their family is similar to that across Washington State.
Disparities: Among the students in Whatcom County who report eating dinner with their family in 2021, there is evidence of disparities for gender identity, sexual orientation, and racial group.
Learn more:
- The Family Dinner Project
- Eating Family Meals Together at Home, Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics, 2024.
- Family meal frequency and its association with food consumption and nutritional status in adolescents: A systematic review, PLOS ONE, 2020.
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