To Develop Iranians’ Social Functioning Conceptual Framework and Indicators: A Mixed Method Approach

¹Associate Professor of Community Medicine, Department of community medicine, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
²MA, MPH, Social Health Office, Health Deputy of Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran(Corresponding author)
³Mental Health Research Center, Tehran Institute of Psychiatry- Faculty of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Corresponding Author: Soheila Omidnia, MA, MPH, Social Health Office, Health Deputy of Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran, Tel: +98 21 81454948; E-Mail: [email protected]

Received Date: 13 Jun 2017
Accepted Date: 01 Jul 2017   
Published Date: 05 Jul 2017
Copyright © 2017 Omidnia S
Citation: Omidnia S, Abachizadeh K and Hajebi A. (2017). To Develop Iranians’ Social Functioning Conceptual Framework and Indicators: A Mixed Method Approach. Mathews J Nurs. 1(1): 001.

ABSTRACT

Background & objectives: Social functioning plays a major role in community health as both a "health asset" and "determinant of physical and mental health". The aim of present study was to establish a frame for the concept of social functioning and develop related indicators in national and provincial level.
Methods: A combination of qualitative and quantitative approach was used. A primary pool of domains, subdomains and related indicators were extracted via literature review. Next, through conducting sessions with experts, the framework and indicators was developed. Finally, scoring in a three-point Likert-type scale was used to prioritize indicators on the basis of their importance and feasibility to measure.
Results: A consensus-built framework was developed with six main domains including; "family role"; "role as member of social networks including friends and relatives"; "responsible for self-care"; "role as a citizen"; "economic roles" and "flourishing the talents". Indicators related to family functioning", violence and employment were ranked highest.
Conclusions: The idea of social functioning is, on the face of it, straightforward. However, reviewing evidence demonstrated high level diversity between different communities and experts from different countries. The locally developed framework and prepared indicators assist policy-makers to analysis the current situation of populations' social functions and an instrument in their hands to monitor community-based initiatives in both national and provincial level.

Keywords: Social Functioning; Iran; Conceptual Framework; Social Indicators.