Social network transactions of psychiatric patients.
In this research we examine self-reported social network transactions of former psychiatric inpatients residing in different types of housing in the community. Unlike earlier research, we found considerable reciprocity in network transactions with family and friends. Only professionals provided more support than they received from patients. Providing emotional support to others was positively correlated with positive affect, community integration, and mastery. Respondents reported more supportive than unsupportive transactions with network members and more supportive transactions with friends than with family or professionals. Finally, residents of supportive apartments and group homes provided and received support more frequently than residents of board-and-care homes. We discuss the results in terms of their implications for policy and future research.
Nelson
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Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
Hall
G B
GB
Squire
D
D
Walsh-Bowers
R T
RT
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D003688:Deinstitutionalization; D005260:Female; D016352:Group Homes; D006208:Halfway Houses; D006291:Health Policy; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires