Factors related to multiplexity in support networks of persons with severe mental illness

Abstract

While social network support has been found to be critical for persons with schizophrenia and other severe mental disorders, these persons are at risk for having smaller, less functional networks than non-clinical populations. Multi-purpose or multiplex network ties are especially beneficial because they are known to be associated with positive outcomes. This study examined which types of factors were related to network multiplexity over a ten-year period in a sample of 234 persons with severe mental illness, three-fourths of whom had schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. We asked whether clinical characteristics, the nature of the sheltered-care social environments in which subjects were living at baseline, and the number of residential care episodes predicted network multiplexity at follow-up. Using three different conceptualizations of network multiplexity as outcomes, we found that, in general, a prior history of long-term institutionalization, social environments rated higher on practical orientation, and fewer residential care episodes over the study period predicted networks deficient in tie multiplexity. Contrary to expectations, psychopathology was related to only one of the multiplexity outcomes.

Citation

Holschuh, J. and Segal, S.P. (2002), "Factors related to multiplexity in support networks of persons with severe mental illness", Levy, J.A. and Pescosolido, B.A. (Ed.) Social Networks and Health (Advances in Medical Sociology, Vol. 8), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 293-321. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1057-6290(02)80031-6