Social networks: A promising direction for research on the relationship of the social environment to psychiatric disorder

There is a need for systematic investigations of the relationship of social network characteristics to specific psychiatric disorders, particularly depression, and findings indicate that social networks may be particularly important in onset and course of depression.

Abstract

The role of personal social networks in the occurrence and course of psychiatric disorder isconsidered. The social network concept is seen as providing the basis for an integrating framework in which to view the contribution of the social environment to psychiatric disorder. Evidence linking network variables to psychiatric disorder is reviewed in the following three areas: (1) network structure, (2) the supportiveness of network relationships, and (3) recent change or disruption of the network. Findings indicate that social networks may be particularly important in onset and course of depression. Issues raised by the literature are identified. Results from many of the studies reviewed are more suggestive than definitive. It is concluded that there is a need for systematic investigations of the relationship of social network characteristics to specific psychiatric disorders, particularly depression. A number of considerations in designing such research are discussed.