Social networks and mental health in post-conflict Mitrovica, Kosova.
BACKGROUND
To investigate the relation between social networks and mental health in the post-conflict municipality of Mitrovica, Kosovo.


METHODS
Using a three-stage stratified sampling method, 1239 respondents aged 16 years or above were recruited in the Greater Mitrovica region. Social network depth was measured by the frequency of contacts with friends, relatives and strangers. Depression and anxiety were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the association between social network depth and mental health.


RESULTS
The analytical sample consisted of 993 respondents. The prevalence of depression (54.3%) and anxiety (64.4%) were extremely high. In multiple regression analysis, a lower depth of social network (contact with friends) was associated with higher levels of both depression and anxiety.


CONCLUSIONS
This study has shown that only one variety of social network--contact with friends--was important in terms of mental health outcomes in a population living in an area heavily affected by conflict. This suggests that the relation between social networks and mental health may be complex in that the effects of different forms of social network on mental health are not uniform and may depend on the way social networks are operationalised and the particular context in which the relationship is examined.
Risa
R
Nakayama
Ai
A
Koyanagi
Andrew
A
Stickley
Tetsuo
T
Kondo
Department of Global Health Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan. sgilmour@m.u-tokyo.ac.jp.
Stuart
S
Gilmour
Aliriza
A
Arenliu
Kenji
K
Shibuya
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D063826:Kosovo / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012944:Social Support; D014857:Warfare