Social networks among users of mental health day care--predictors of social contacts and confiding relationships.
BACKGROUND
The social networks of people with mental illness have received much attention, but users of day care services have rarely been considered.


METHODS
Users of day hospitals and day centres were surveyed cross-sectionally. Demographic and illness factors were tested for associations with network size, while intrinsic relationship factors were tested for association with confiding in a network member.


RESULTS
There was some evidence that a longer duration of contact with services, more unmet needs, working, living in supported accommodation and needing help with psychotic symptoms were associated with having a larger network, while a longer duration of contact was associated with having more confidantes. Day centre users confided in people who were more likely to be friends or neighbours than professionals, and who were more likely to be the same sex.


CONCLUSIONS
For people in day care, the stereotype that people with longer-term mental health problems are socially isolated is contradicted by this study. The limited role of professionals in providing confiding relationships is striking.
Dept. of Mental Health, Jenner Wing, St George's Hospital Medical School, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK. jcatty@sghms.ac.uk
Jocelyn
J
Catty
Kim
K
Goddard
Sarah
S
White
Tom
T
Burns
D000328:Adult; D003631:Day Care, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012931:Social Environment; D012934:Social Isolation; D012944:Social Support; D013240:Stereotyping