TY - JOUR
T1 - Assessing the effectiveness of social network interventions for adults with a diagnosis of mental health problems
T2 - a systematic review and narrative synthesis of impact
AU - Brooks, Helen
AU - Devereux-Fitzgerald, Angela
AU - Richmond, Laura
AU - Bee, Penny
AU - Lovell, Karina
AU - Caton, Neil
AU - Cherry, Mary Gemma
AU - Edwards, Bethan Mair
AU - Downs, James
AU - Bush, Laura
AU - Vassilev, Ivaylo
AU - Young, Bridget
AU - Rogers, Anne
N1 - Funding Information:
Most interventions limited the types of network members included within networks to friends and family members and failed to incorporate alternative forms of network members identified as important to mental health management in the wider literature, including weak ties [, ], valued places, objects and activities [, ] and companion animals [, ]. This broader view of social network support was supported by the value attached to distal relationships by participants. Furthermore, complexities associated with establishing and maintaining friendships leading to withdrawal, and the equivalence in social networks of those involving financial stipend ± peer support [], lend further support to the value of alternative network members [].
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, The Author(s).
PY - 2022/5
Y1 - 2022/5
N2 - Background: Social connections have been linked to the genesis and amelioration of mental health problems and thus have potential therapeutic value. Purpose: To identify the current evidence base, assess risk of bias and synthesise findings on the effectiveness of social network interventions for people with mental health problems. Methods: Electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus) and grey literature databases were systematically searched from inception to October 2021 using free text syntax combining synonyms for ‘mental health problems’ and ‘social network interventions’. Articles were eligible for inclusion if they reported data from randomised controlled trials on the effectiveness of interventions designed to improve social networks for adults (18+) with mental health problems. Papers were independently reviewed for inclusion with conflicts resolved through consensus. Included papers were quality assessed and data extracted and synthesized narratively. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Results: Nine studies randomising 2226 participants were included. Four focused on those with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or psychosis, one on major depressive disorder and four included all types of mental health diagnoses. The current evidence base is of unclear quality. However, interventions which focused on supporting social activities appear to hold the most promise for enhancing social networks. Data on cost-effectiveness and research acceptability were limited, but suggest the potential economic feasibility of and acceptability for evaluating these interventions. Conclusion: There is emerging evidence that social network interventions can be effective in improving social connections for people with mental health problems. However, further evaluations with robust methodological approaches are required to inform evidence-based recommendations for health services.
AB - Background: Social connections have been linked to the genesis and amelioration of mental health problems and thus have potential therapeutic value. Purpose: To identify the current evidence base, assess risk of bias and synthesise findings on the effectiveness of social network interventions for people with mental health problems. Methods: Electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus) and grey literature databases were systematically searched from inception to October 2021 using free text syntax combining synonyms for ‘mental health problems’ and ‘social network interventions’. Articles were eligible for inclusion if they reported data from randomised controlled trials on the effectiveness of interventions designed to improve social networks for adults (18+) with mental health problems. Papers were independently reviewed for inclusion with conflicts resolved through consensus. Included papers were quality assessed and data extracted and synthesized narratively. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Results: Nine studies randomising 2226 participants were included. Four focused on those with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or psychosis, one on major depressive disorder and four included all types of mental health diagnoses. The current evidence base is of unclear quality. However, interventions which focused on supporting social activities appear to hold the most promise for enhancing social networks. Data on cost-effectiveness and research acceptability were limited, but suggest the potential economic feasibility of and acceptability for evaluating these interventions. Conclusion: There is emerging evidence that social network interventions can be effective in improving social connections for people with mental health problems. However, further evaluations with robust methodological approaches are required to inform evidence-based recommendations for health services.
KW - Mental health
KW - Narrative synthesis
KW - Social networks
KW - Systematic review
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85124479614&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s00127-022-02242-w
DO - 10.1007/s00127-022-02242-w
M3 - Article
C2 - 35138427
AN - SCOPUS:85124479614
SN - 0933-7954
VL - 57
SP - 907
EP - 925
JO - Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
JF - Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
IS - 5
ER -
