Improving social functioning and reducing social isolation and loneliness among people with enduring mental illness: Report of a randomised controlled trial of supported socialisation

Abstract

The intervention showed no statistical differences between the control and intervention groups on primary or secondary outcome measures. The stipend and the stipend plus volunteer partner led to an increase in recreational social functioning; a decrease in levels of social loneliness, in depression and in the proportion living within a vulnerable social network.

Autonomy and Severe Mental Illness: The Relationship between Social Network and Functioning

“…Reduced social functioning, poor social networks and isolation are common among persons living with a severe mental illness [7,13], and aspects concerning functioning, access to social network and autonomy are issues for research.…”

“…However, severe mental illness could result in considerable impairments in everyday functioning [5][6][7], and from a cognitive perspective, research has found that patients with schizophrenia have a reduced metacognitive capacity [8] as well as difficulties with metacognitive agency [9].…”

“…Many persons with severe mental illness are shown to have a reduced social functioning, have poor social networks and live in isolation [7,13]. However, supported socialization has been found to increase functioning, self-esteem and social networks among persons with mental illness [7,14].…”

“…However, supported socialization has been found to increase functioning, self-esteem and social networks among persons with mental illness [7,14]. In light of these findings, autonomy as a capacity should not solely be understood in terms of internal cognitive factors, but also take into consideration the social surrounding of the individual.…”

“…Empirical research, on the other hand, indicates that the access to social network might enable functioning [7,14].…”