A review of social participation interventions for people with mental health problems

Abstract

PurposeThe association between social networks and improved mental and physical health is well documented in the literature, but mental health services rarely routinely intervene to improve an individual’s social network. This review summarises social participation intervention models to illustrate different approaches which practitioners use, highlight gaps in the evidence base and suggest future directions for research.MethodsA systematic search of electronic databases was conducted, and social participation interventions were grouped into six categories using a modified narrative synthesis approach.ResultsNineteen interventions from 14 countries were identified, six of which were evaluated using a randomised controlled trial. They were grouped together as: individual social skills training; group skills training; supported community engagement; group-based community activities; employment interventions; and peer support interventions. Social network gains appear strongest for supported community engagement interventions, but overall, evidence was limited.ConclusionsThe small number of heterogeneous studies included in this review, which were not quality appraised, tentatively suggests that social participation interventions may increase individuals’ social networks. Future research needs to use experimental designs with sufficient samples and follow-up periods longer than 12 months to enable us to make firm recommendations for mental health policy or practice.

Understanding support network capacity during the transition from foster care: Youth-identified barriers, facilitators, and enhancement strategies

“…Further, there is some evidence that shorter-term social participation interventions, primarily peer support groups and supported community activities, can improve social inclusion and interpersonal functioning among transition-age young people receiving mental health services (Webber & Fendt-Newlin, 2017), which is also a promising approach for older youth in foster care. Importantly, a common thread in these approaches is a peer support and/or near-peer mentoring component, where young people with similar lived experience can normalize difficult circumstances and promote informal relationship-building and youth-directed service engagement.…”

Work-Life Balance for Women in Stem Leadership

“…Carlson, Grzywacz, and Zivnuska (2009) and Nitzche, Jung, Kowalski, and Pfaff (2014) Quick, Henley, & Quick, 2004), women in leadership often aspire to their leadership role because they want to make a deep meaningful impact on the organization and often feel work-life interference as they balance their desire to excel in both work and non-work roles (Fine, 2009 (French et al, 2018). Initially defined as the means by which an individual reduces strain and improves health and well-being (Cohen & Wills, 1985) or the exchange of resources between individuals with the intent to enhance well-being (Shumaker & Brownell, 1984;Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet, & Farley, 1988), subsequent research has validated that social support positively relates to improved work and family satisfaction (Ferguson, Carlson, Kacmar, & Halbesleben, 2016;Ford, Heinen, & Langkamer, 2007), mental health (Lee, Sudom, & Zamorski, 2013;Webber, & Fendt-Newlin, 2017), physical and psychological health (Bjørnstad, Patil, & Raanaas, 2016;Crain et al, 2014) and protection under adverse conditions (French et al, 2018). Social support has been classified by its forms including cognitive, behavioral, and perceptions (Barrera, 1986;Lakey & Cassady, 1990) as well as types including instrumental, appraisal, emotional, and informational support (Cohen & McKay, 1984;Parasuraman, Greenhaus, & Granrose, 1992).…”

How do people with long‐term mental health problems negotiate relationships with network members at times of crisis?

“…Clinical treatment models of social interventions, forming the bases of a purported biopsychosocial model have seemingly failed to prioritize the “social” elements; however, interventions which prioritize participation have suggested positive outcomes associated with asset‐based approaches, trusting relationships and resource‐seeking to enhance community participation . Social participation interventions, such as social prescribing or community referral which have been seen as a means of improving access to psychological treatments and other resources which support mental health, bring to the fore the need to illuminate the role, properties and function of network mechanisms . A network perspective offers opportunities to explore the ways in which the quality of social relationships may impact on mental health and to address the latent assets and resources which may be available to people in need of condition management and support which lie outside the formal health‐care delivery system .…”