title: Social networks for mental health clients: resources and solution.
abstract: Several studies have illustrated the importance of social support and social networks for persons with mental health problems. Social networks may mean a reduced need for professional services, but also help to facilitate access to professional help. The interplay between social networks and professional services is complicated and invites further investigation. Compare aspects of clients' experiences with social networks to experiences with professional services and learn about the relationship between network resources and help from the public health service system. Quantitative analyses of a sample of 850 informants. Supportive networks exist for a majority of the informants and can also be a substitute for public/professional services in many respects. Regarding help to recover, social networks may offer qualities equal to those of professional services. Furthermore, there is a positive relationship between trust in a social network and trust in public professional services. Trust in a social network also increases the probability of achieving positive experiences with professional services. Our finding simply that more network qualities should be included in professional services, and also that professionals should assist vulnerable groups in building networks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Hedmark University College, Kirkevegen 47, 2418 Elverum, Norway. Ragnfrid.Kogstad@hihm.no
authors.forename: Ragnfrid Eline
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Kogstad
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mönness
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sörensen
mesh_terms: D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D008603:Mental Health; D009664:Norway; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D035502:Trust