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Social networks and service use among representative cases of psychosis in South London

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

Thomas Becker ,
Graham Thornicroft ,
Morven Leese ,
Paul McCrone ,
Sonia Johnson ,
Maya Albert  and
David Turner
Thomas Becker*
Affiliation:
PRiSM (Psychiatric Research in Service Measurement), Institute of Psychiatry, London
Graham Thornicroft
Affiliation:
PRiSM (Psychiatric Research in Service Measurement), Institute of Psychiatry, London
Morven Leese
Affiliation:
PRiSM (Psychiatric Research in Service Measurement), Institute of Psychiatry, London
Paul McCrone
Affiliation:
PRiSM (Psychiatric Research in Service Measurement), Institute of Psychiatry, London
Sonia Johnson
Affiliation:
PRiSM (Psychiatric Research in Service Measurement), Institute of Psychiatry, London
Maya Albert
Affiliation:
PRiSM (Psychiatric Research in Service Measurement), Institute of Psychiatry, London
David Turner
Affiliation:
PRiSM (Psychiatric Research in Service Measurement), Institute of Psychiatry, London
*
Dr T. Becker. Section of Community Psychiatry (PRiSM). Institute of Psychiatry. De Crespigny Park. Denmark Hill. London SE5 8AF. Fax: 0171 277 1462
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Abstract

Background

Large social networks in patients with severe mental illness have been reported to be associated with a low rate of hospitalisation. We aim to determine whether social network size is related to the likelihood of hospitalisation and the amount of service use.

Method

As part of a prospective controlled study, baseline interview data for a random sample of one-year prevalent cases with non-organic psychosis were analysed with respect to social network characteristics and service use during a six-month period.

Results

The likelihood of hospitalisation decreased with an increase in network size, while the number of services used by patients grew as the social network size increased.

Conclusions

While larger social networks may be associated with a lower likelihood of hospitalisation, they may also be related to wider use of non-hospital services.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 171 , Issue 1 , July 1997 , pp. 15 - 19
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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