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Table 1 The four types of informal social support analyzed and the corresponding survey questions

From: Availability of informal social support and the impact on health services utilization among women in community corrections who engage in substance use and risky sexual behavior: New York City, 2009–2012

Social Support Types

Survey Items: “Had a friend or family member to …

Personal or emotional problems

1) talk to when they feel upset or angry;

2) ask advice about personal problems they may be having;

3) talk to about relationship problems they may be having with their partner;

Tangible aid or service

4) ask to borrow money when they need it;

5) ask to stay in their place for a while;

6) ask for help with a task that takes at least four hours of their time (e.g. helping with a move, taking care of their kids, cleaning their apartment);

Sexual risk reduction

7) talk to about ways they can reduce their risk for HIV or STDs;

8) talk to about the need to use condoms to protect themselves against HIV or STDS;

Substance use risk reduction

9) talk to about ways they can reduce sharing syringes, cookers, cotton, or rinse water to avoid transmitting HIV or Hepatitis C;

10) talk to about ways they can reduce or stop using drugs;

11) talk to about ways they can prevent overdose.