The structure and quality of social network support among mental health consumers of clubhouse programs

Abstract

This study explored the structure and quality of social network support among a group of adult consumers of community-based mental health programs known as clubhouses. The structure and quality of social network support was also examined by diagnosis, specifically between consumers living with and without schizophrenia. The study involved a sample of 221 consumers across 15 clubhouse programs. Social network nominations were collected using a semistructured social network interview strategy. Over 97% of the participants identified at least one source of support in their social network with an average of five nominations. Family members were identified as the most common source of support whereas fellow clubhouse members were least likely to be nominated. Clubhouse members with schizophrenia were less likely to identify family members and were more likely to rate their support networks as more important and engage in greater levels of contact than consumers with other diagnoses. The structure and quality of social network supports were not associated with level of social functioning, length of clubhouse membership or level of participation or other selected demographic variables typically associated with the size and quality of support. C

Social Networks and Social Interaction among People with Psychiatric Disabilities-Comparison of Users of Day Centres and Clubhouses

“…The results of a previous study in a DC context rendered some evidence that longer duration of using the services was associated with a larger social network (Catty et al, 2005b). A study in the clubhouse context found, however, that neither length of membership nor weekly participation was associated with social network size (Pernice-Duca, 2008). Further research is therefore needed to investigate whether length and frequency of attendance play a role for the size of social networks among user of DCs and clubhouses.…”

“…Pernice-Duca (2008) and Beigel et al (2013) found that although clubhouse staff and peers made up a substantial portion of the social network, family members were the most nominated source of support. A longitudinal study found that family, friends and clubhouse peers remained relatively stable sources of support, whereas clubhouse staff and other professionals were named less often over time (Pernice-Duca & Onaga, 2009).…”

“…Several studies have explored aspects of social networks among clubhouse members (Biegel, Pernice-Duca, Chang, Chung, Min, & D'Angelo, 2013;Carolan et al, 2011;Pernice-Duca & Onaga, 2009;Pernice-Duca, 2008). Pernice-Duca (2008) and Beigel et al (2013) found that although clubhouse staff and peers made up a substantial portion of the social network, family members were the most nominated source of support.…”

Clubhouse Community Support for Life: Staff–Member Relationships and Recovery

“…Clubhouse research has begun to identify such a ''space'' as a community [14][15][16][17] that provides a wealth of mutual social support for recovery [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. Aspects of the clubhouse community support have been described in terms of the overall community support as well as its peer component [22,23].…”

Factors Influencing Staff Perceptions of the Organizational Environment of Clubhouses

“…In clubhouses, staff are viewed as agents of change; they are an important element in the clubhouse community in creating an environment that is conducive to mental health recovery and personal empowerment (Herman et al 2005). Clubhouse staff are also a significant source of social support for many clubhouse members (Pernice-Duca 2008).…”