Survey of the social networks of people with severe mental health problems

Abstract

The social functioning of people with severe mental health problems is an indicator of general physical and emotional well-being. There exists a wealth of literature on the topic from the professional carer's perspective but relatively little from the perspective of the clients themselves. Thirty clients were interviewed in order to explore their understanding of the nature and value of the social networks in which they were currently involved. Despite having participated in a variety of rehabilitation interventions, these clients remained insecure and lacking in confidence. They had few friends beyond members of their immediate family and were generally leading lonely, friendless existences without the capacity to establish new relationships. Although this study suggests that clients often have grandiose plans for the future, mental health nurses may best meet their needs by helping to sustain existing relationships and using them at all levels of therapeutic intervention, rather than attempting to nurture new relationships for which clients are unready and the failure of which may result in a relapse in clients' mental health status.

The importance of health for persons with psychiatric disabilities

“…There are deficiencies in the ability of these people to support themselves and they also have fragile somatic health and social networks (National Board of Health and Welfare 2006). Mental illness also causes lack of motivation, lethargy, boredom and low self-esteem, which leads to problems coping with daily life and reluctance to engage in social activities (Nolan & Clancy 1995). Persons with psychiatric disabilities wish to participate in society in the same way as everyone else, although their ability to evaluate and describe the support they need is open to question.…”

The life circumstances of persons with a psychiatric disability: a survey in a region in southern Sweden

“…2003). This can lead to a lack of motivation, lethargy, boredom and low self‐esteem, which in turn can contribute to problems in coping with daily life and a reluctance to engage in social activities (Nolan & Clancy 1995).…”

“…Few persons with psychiatric disability are engaged in gainful occupation or studies, and they are at risk for segregation, unemployment, stigmatization and disempowerment (Hansson et al 2002, Jansson et al 2003. This can lead to a lack of motivation, lethargy, boredom and low selfesteem, which in turn can contribute to problems in coping with daily life and a reluctance to engage in social activities (Nolan & Clancy 1995).…”

Varying views of life among people with long‐term mental illness

“…2001). Nevertheless, poor quality of life for people with mental illnesses is often associated with low work motivation, poor self‐perception and difficulties in establishing and maintaining social relationships (Beel 1979, Nolan 1995, Dixon et al. 2001).…”

“…The notion of 'quality of life' is normative but, with its objective and subjective dimensions, hard to define (Ruggeri et al 2001). Nevertheless, poor quality of life for people with mental illnesses is often associated with low work motivation, poor self-perception and difficulties in establishing and maintaining social relationships (Beel 1979, Nolan 1995, Dixon et al 2001. These psychosocial factors, combined with cognitive dysfunction, make these people lonely: they experience social isolation and perceive themselves as 'outsiders' (Erdner et al 2005).…”