title: Perceived social support for diet and exercise among persons with serious mental illness enrolled in a healthy lifestyle intervention.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is a lack of research on social support for health behavior change among persons with serious mental illness who face disproportionate morbidity and premature death due to cardiovascular disease. This study examined social contact and the demographic, health and clinical characteristics associated with perceived social support for diet and exercise among persons living with serious mental illness enrolled in a healthy lifestyle intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Baseline data from two ongoing studies of the In SHAPE healthy lifestyle intervention for persons with serious mental illness were included in this analysis (N = 158). Cross-sectional analyses examined social contact and correlates of both negative and positive experiences of social support for diet and exercise. Multiple linear regression was used to assess the relationship between demographic characteristics, symptoms, health, and social support.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority (80.3%) of participants reported face-to-face contact at least twice monthly with a family member or friend. Readiness to change physical activity was associated with greater criticism from family for exercise behaviors, r(64) = .29, p < .05. Depressive symptoms (β = .30, p < .01) were significantly associated with more unhealthy family eating environments while controlling for the amount of family contact (β = .27, p < .01), while readiness to change dietary portion size (β = .34, p < .01) was associated with encouragement for healthy eating from friends.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participants had regular contact with significant others who were a source of both positive and negative support for healthy eating and exercise. Engaging natural supports in supporting healthy behaviors may help persons with serious mental illness initiate and maintain lifestyle change.
authors: Center for Aging Research, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Dartmouth College, 46 Centerra Parkway 201, Lebanon, NH 03766, USA. kelly.aschbrenner@dartmouth.edu
authors: Kelly A
authors: KA
authors: Aschbrenner
authors: Kim T
authors: KT
authors: Mueser
authors: Stephen J
authors: SJ
authors: Bartels
authors: Sarah I
authors: SI
authors: Pratt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005195:Family Relations; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
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