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Good friends are hard to find? The social networks of people with mental illness 12 years after deinstitutionalisation

Forrester-Jones, Rachel, Carpenter, John, Coolen-Schrijner, Pauline, Cambridge, Paul, Tate, Alison, Hallam, Angela, Beecham, Jennifer, Knapp, Martin R J., Wooff, David (2012) Good friends are hard to find? The social networks of people with mental illness 12 years after deinstitutionalisation. Journal of Mental Health, 21 (1). pp. 4-14. ISSN 0963-8237. (doi:10.3109/09638237.2011.608743) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:32425)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/09638237.2011.608743

Abstract

Background

While community care is now well established in England, the development and maintenance of social networks of people with long-term mental illness remains a major challenge to services.

Aims

To investigate the size of the social networks of people with long-term mental illness and the types of social support they receive in relation to their age and accommodation.

Sample

Thirty-nine men and 46 women (mean age: 61 years; range: 38–88). Forty nine (60%) were 65 years or under and 32 (40%) were over 65.

Methods

Participants were interviewed using the Social Network Guide. Comparisons were made using generalised linear modelling.

Results

Social networks (median 19; range 2–85) were generally larger than those reported in previous studies. Older residents (over 65 years) had closer ties than younger residents. Congregate types of community settings were relatively devoid of social supports.

Conclusion

Appropriate activities and social contexts are still needed to facilitate the social networks of people with mental illness, in particular, for those aged under 65 years.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.3109/09638237.2011.608743
Uncontrolled keywords: social networks, support, deinstitutionalisation, mental illness
Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Personal Social Services Research Unit
Depositing User: Rachel Forrester-Jones
Date Deposited: 13 Dec 2012 15:22 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:10 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/32425 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Forrester-Jones, Rachel.

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Beecham, Jennifer.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5147-3383
CReDIT Contributor Roles:
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