Social network among people with persistent mental illness: associations with sociodemographic, clinical and health-related factors.
BACKGROUND
Social interaction is crucial for whether a person will successfully accomplish important life tasks.


OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the importance of sociodemographic, clinical and self-perceived health-related factors for social interaction among 103 individuals with persistent mental illness, mainly psychoses, visiting an outpatient unit.


RESULTS
Bivariate analyses pointed to several relationships, especially between the health-related variables and both quantitative and qualitative aspects of the social network. In multivariate analyses, higher levels of quality of life, self-esteem, being a cohabitant, and living in a house were related to higher ratings on different aspects of the social network. Older age was associated with fewer close relationships but more adequate social integration.


CONCLUSIONS
The social network appeared to be a function of both self-perceptions and sociodemographic influences. The influence is probably dynamic and, for example, just as a better quality of life may lead to more social interaction, a more developed social network probably promotes better quality of life. Therefore, interventions in mental health care that target social interaction constitute a powerful resource and should be part of the support for people with severe and persistent mental illness.
Eklund
Mona
M
Department of Health Sciences, Division of Occupational Therapy, Lund, Sweden. mona.eklund@med.lu.se
Hansson
Lars
L
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden