Centre for Policy on Ageing



Social network characteristics among older outpatients with long-term mental illness
Author(s)	Suzanne Meeks, Cheryl T Hammond
Journal title	Journal of Mental Health and Aging, vol 7, no 4, Winter 2001
Pages	pp 445-464
Keywords	Out-patients ; Mental disorder ; Long term ; Social contacts ; Longitudinal surveys ; United States of America.
Annotation	Social network and psychological data were obtained from 342 severe mental illness (SMI) outpatients aged 40+. Their social networks had a mean size of 25, but a mode of 9. Networks were comprised primarily of female kin and were rich in subjective quality and multiplexity. Low education levels were related to poorer friendship networks; and heavy reliance on kin for emotional support may place these patients at risk. People with schizophrenia, especially those with prominent negative symptoms, were at greater risk for poorly developed networks than those with affective disorders. Indeed, service providers may substitute for gaps in these networks. Qualitative rather than quantitative network features were related to functioning. Findings suggest the need for assessment of, and co-ordination with, indigenous support when planning treatment for this population. (RH).
Accession Number	CPA-020416207 A
Classmark	LFB: E: 4Q: TOA: 3J: 7T
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...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing.