Social networks and schizophrenia

Beels, C. Christian

doi:10.1007/bf01064743

Cited by 22 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…A recent network study found many kin and friend relationships to be severed after only one hospital admission (Lipton, Cohen, Fischer, & Katz, 1981), a finding consistent with those of other studies demonstrating the longterm deleterious consequences of hospitalization on various adjustment indicators (Anthony & Farkas, 1982;Fontana & Dowds, 1975;Strauss & Carpenter, 1977;Test & Stein, 1978a). Similarly, length of hospitalization has been found to affect the patient's performance in numerous skill areas, as well as to reduce motivation and interest in social activities (Beels, 1979(Beels, , 1981Honigfeld & Gillis, 1967;Wing, 1962). Based on such research, from which one can conclude that deterioration of previous abilities and anhedonia are a function of acceptance of hospital life, length of hospitalization in the present model is suspected of influencing the network associations directly and indirectly through current resident skills and certain residential facility characteristics.…”

Section: Length Ofsupporting

confidence: 81%

The social network of the schizophrenic: Patient and residential determinants

Denoff

Pilkonis

1987

J. Community Psychol.

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Based on a sample of 103 schizophrenics, this paper utilizes path analysis to examine the interrelationships among a number of patient and residence characteristics on different network dimensions. Residents' social competence was consistently found to maintain the strongest association with many of the outside‐facility network dimensions. Despite the mediation of a third of its effect through social competence, decreased periods of hospitalization remained a significant influence in these equations. Residential facilities emphasizing autonomy contributed minimally to some of the external network domains. Conversely, less demanding residential programs and lengthy periods of hospitalization were significantly associated with the within‐facility network dimension. Neither premorbid social adjustment nor length of tenure within a residence had a direct effect on any network dimension in the complete model. Treatment and policy implications are discussed based on the differential determinants of network dimensions found in this study.

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Section: Length Ofsupporting

confidence: 81%

The social network of the schizophrenic: Patient and residential determinants

Denoff

Pilkonis

1987

J. Community Psychol.

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“…Research has consistently reported smaller and poorer quality networks in people with severe mental health problems when compared to the general population [ 12 , 13 ]. It is often assumed that the size and quality of social networks diminish as a consequence of psychosis, with earlier theories proposing a ‘network crisis’ at first onset [ 14 , 15 ]. This has been contradicted by findings that network characteristics are relatively stable over the year following initial hospitalisation [ 16 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social networks and symptomatic and functional outcomes in schizophrenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Degnan

Berry

Sweet

et al. 2018

Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol

150

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PurposeTo conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the strength of associations between social network size and clinical and functional outcomes in schizophrenia.MethodStudies were identified from a systematic search of electronic databases (EMBASE, Medline, PsycINFO, and Web of Science) from January 1970 to June 2016. Eligible studies included peer-reviewed English language articles that examined associations between a quantitative measure of network size and symptomatic and/or functional outcome in schizophrenia-spectrum diagnoses.ResultsOur search yielded 16 studies with 1,929 participants. Meta-analyses using random effects models to calculate pooled effect sizes (Hedge’s g) found that smaller social network size was moderately associated with more severe overall psychiatric symptoms (N = 5, n = 467, g = − 0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) = − 0.875, − 0.184, p = 0.003) and negative symptoms (N = 8, n = 577, g = − 0.75, 95% CI = − 0.997, − 0.512, p = 0.000). Statistical heterogeneity was observed I2 = 63.04%; I2 = 35.75%,) which could not be explained by low-quality network measures or sample heterogeneity in sensitivity analyses. There was no effect for positive symptoms (N = 7, n = 405, g = − 0.19, 95% CI = 0.494, 0.110, p = 0.213) or social functioning (N = 3, n = 209, g = 0.36, 95% CI = − 0.078, 0.801, p = 0.107). Narrative synthesis suggested that larger network size was associated with improved global functioning, but findings for affective symptoms and quality of life were mixed.ConclusionPsychosocial interventions which support individuals to build and maintain social networks may improve outcomes in schizophrenia. The review findings are cross-sectional and thus causal direction cannot be inferred. Further research is required to examine temporal associations between network characteristics and outcomes in schizophrenia and to test theoretical models relating to explanatory or mediating mechanisms.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s00127-018-1552-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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“…• Perform network assessments (Gottlieb & Coppard, 1987;Walsh, 1994); • Provide case management and linkages to social services (Pescosolido, Wright, & Sullivan, 1995), religious institutions (Walsh, 1994), and adult centers (Pickens, 1999); • Help clients create opportunities to meet new people (Katz, 1993;Walsh, 1994); • Provide referrals to medication groups and half-way houses (Beels, 1979); • Build new ties and strengthen existing ones (Tracy & Biegel, 1994); • Promote opportunities for bonding with network members (Ferris & Marshall, 1987); • Cultivate case consultation to assist clinical decision-making (Tracy & Wittaker, 1990); • Use multiple-family groups and psychoeducation (McFarlane et al, 1993(McFarlane et al, , 1995.…”

Section: Choosing An Interventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using Social Network Interventions to Improve Mentally Ill Clients’ Well-Being

Pinto

2005

Clin Soc Work J

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This paper reviews empirical evidence showing that the structures of the social networks of mentally ill clients influence both their well-being and their use of mental health services. Network interventions that might help clients better address network-related problems, and might help their families improve relationships and prevent caretaker's burn-out are presented. A case illustration will demonstrate how practitioners can assess a client's social network, involve the client's family in treatment, evaluate that treatment, and select tailored interventions. This case will emphasize both how practitioners can help a client restructure her network, and the complementary roles of formal and informal networks. The author shows practitioners how to match clients' initial network structures to interventions and desired outcomes. Practitioners can thus help clients modify their social networks, increase the use of preventive services, and improve their well-being.

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Social networks and schizophrenia

Abstract: This artical begins with an introduction to social networks research and its practical importance in the understanding and treatment of schizophrenia, and concludes with a consideration of the experience, the phenomenology, of schizophrenia, from a social network point of view.

Cited by 22 publications

References 19 publications

The social network of the schizophrenic: Patient and residential determinants

The social network of the schizophrenic: Patient and residential determinants

Social networks and symptomatic and functional outcomes in schizophrenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Using Social Network Interventions to Improve Mentally Ill Clients’ Well-Being

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