Skip to main content

Session 8: How can goal setting and social support help injury rehabilitation?

Completion requirements
View all sections of the document
Table 1 Different categories of social support (adapted from Arvinen-Barrow and Pack, 2013, pp. 122–3)
Categories of social supportSub-typesDefinition
EmotionalEsteem supportEnacting behaviours that bolster an individual’s self confidence, sense of competence or self-esteem, perhaps through provision of positive feedback or by demonstrating belief in the individual’s ability to cope with injury.
ListeningActively listening to the individual whilst refraining from giving advice or making judgement. This should involve sharing both positive (e.g. joys of rehabilitation success) and negative (e.g. setback frustrations) thoughts and feelings associated with rehabilitation.
Emotional supportProviding an individual with impartial assistance during emotionally difficult times and demonstrating acceptance, empathy and encouragement should they experience setbacks, thus facilitating a sense of comfort and security.
Emotional challengeChallenging the individual to do their utmost to overcome obstacles to goal-achievement, and structuring support so as to facilitate motivation toward rehabilitation.
Shared social realityActing as a ‘reality touchstone’ by verifying an individual’s perception of the current situation and social context, thus potentially providing a sense of ‘normalisation’.
TechnicalTechnical appreciationDemonstrating an acknowledgement of an individual’s achievements, or reinforcing effort and intensity during a rehabilitation session.
Technical challengeEncouraging individuals to achieve more, to be excited about their work and progress, and to seek new ways in which they might rehabilitate.
InformationalPersonal assistanceProviding advice, guidance and assistance in the form of time, skill, knowledge and expertise targeted directly at problem-solving or feedback relating to rehabilitation.
TangibleMaterial assistanceProviding tangible assistance such as the provision of transport to rehabilitation, assistance with general household duties, and financial support thus directly facilitating an individual’s chances of goal achievement.
Technical challengeEncouraging individuals to achieve more, to be excited about their work and progress, and to seek new ways in which they might rehabilitate.
MotivationalMotivationalEncouraging individuals to overcome, or give into, various barriers during the rehabilitation process.

 3.1 Social support in practice