Comparative Study of Received Social Support and Perceived Social Support from the Viewpoint of the Elderly People

Introduction: Social support as an independent and predictable variable for all aspects of health and well-being, quality of life, morale and life satisfaction of the seniors. It conceptualized in format of two received social support and perceived social support. Therefore, this study conducted with the aim of comparing the received social support and perceived social support from the viewpoint of the elderly people of Dargaz in 2018. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study carried out on 210 elderly people through simple random sampling of Health Comprehensive Centers with the help of random numbers table and special codes in SINA System. The data collected through interviews and demographic questionnaires, index of received social support by Sherbourne and Stewart, and perceived social support by Zimet and analysed using correlation, one-way ANNOVA, Friedman, Independent T and Mann Whitney U tests. Results: There was direct linear correlation between received social support and perceived social support. [r = 0.69, P= 0.001] In dimensions of perceived social support, the difference in mean scores was significant [P= 0.001] and the average score of family support was higher. Conclusions: In respect to aligned received social support and perceived social support with the special role of the family as the most influential component of social support from the viewpoint of elderly people, it suggested that meanwhile informing families in this regard, formal and informal planning and supports attended to family-focused cares.