Do Support Groups for Medical Patients Reduce Risk for Mortality? A Meta-Analytic Review

Authors

Connor Workman, Brigham Young University
Dakota Jake, Brigham Young University
Daniel Rallison, Brigham Young University
Timothy Smith, PhD, Brigham Young University
Julianne Holt-Lunstad, PhD, Brigham Young University

Keywords

support groups, medical patients, predictors of mortality

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Psychology

Abstract

Recent scientific findings show that loneliness is found among the highest predictors of mortality. This information could prove to be a major influence on future interventions for medical patients. However, the literature is inconclusive on how best to implement these findings in the real world. Given that research is limited, a meta-analysis of all appropriate scientific articles was performed to find how social support affected mortality in a medical setting.

Recommended Citation

Workman, Connor; Jake, Dakota; Rallison, Daniel; Smith, PhD, Timothy; and Holt-Lunstad, PhD, Julianne (2019) "Do Support Groups for Medical Patients Reduce Risk for Mortality? A Meta-Analytic Review," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2019: Iss. 2019, Article 42.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2019/iss2019/42