title: Social capital and reported discrimination among people with depression in 15 European countries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Social capital is a protective factor for mental health. People with depression are vulnerable to discrimination and its damaging impact. No previous studies have explored the link between social capital and experienced or anticipated discrimination in people with depression. This study aims to test the hypothesis that levels of self-reported discrimination in people with depression are inversely associated with social capital levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 434 people with major depression recruited in outpatient settings across 15 European countries participated in the study. Multivariable regression was used to analyse relationships between discrimination and interpersonal and institutional trust, social support and social network.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant inverse association was found between discrimination and social capital in people with major depression. Specifically, people with higher levels of social capital were less likely to have elevated or substantially elevated levels of experienced discrimination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Higher level of social capital may be closely associated with lower level of experienced discrimination among patients with major depression. It is important to explore these associations more deeply and to establish possible directions of causality in order to identify interventions that may promote social capital and reduce discrimination. This may permit greater integration in society and more access to important life opportunities for people with depression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Policlinico "G.B. Rossi", P.le Scuro, 10, 37134, Verona, Italy, silvia.zoppei@univr.it.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zoppei
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lasalvia
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bonetto
authors.forename: Tine
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Van Bortel
authors.forename: Fredrica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nyqvist
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Webber
authors.forename: Esa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aromaa
authors.forename: Jaap
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Weeghel
authors.forename: Mariangela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lanfredi
authors.forename: Judit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harangozó
authors.forename: Kristian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wahlbeck
authors.forename: Graham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thornicroft
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011287:Prejudice / Q000523:psychology*; D057566:Self Report; D066270:Social Capital; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D035502:Trust; D055815:Young Adult