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PubMed1978

Social networks and schizophrenia.

This article suggests that social network concepts and methods can provide a unifying framework for social research on schizophrenia. A selective review of the literature indicates that a social network perspective is not only consistent with a range of other research approaches and findings, but may help resolve some basic and persistent methodological and conceptual problems. A theoretical model is briefly described which attributes a critical role in the onset and recurrence of schizophrenia to social network processes. Some examples are given of the potential contribution of social network variables to research and therapy in schizophrenia.

Acculturation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The role of social networks in exclusive breastfeeding].

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to explore the network that the social actors form around the mother with a neonate and the roles they play, either as support or as an obstacle of exclusive breast-feeding. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We applied a social network survey in two stages: in the first one, we asked mothers with babies under six months of age who had helped them breast-feed their babies and who had had a bearing on not letting them do it. Later, we asked other mothers who had told them to give formula, water, tea or solid food to the babies. With the answers we formed two "cases by actors" matrices. We computed the frequencies to find out those people that most influenced the mother for and against exclusive breast-feeding. We also graphed the results from the matrix to visualize the answers. RESULTS: The maternal grandmother of the child, the physician and the paternal grandmother appeared as those who most positively contributed with exclusive breast-feeding. Paradoxically, they are the same who most influenced its interruption. DISCUSSION: We were looking for a social network to support exclusive breast-feeding and another one to hinder it, but the two networks turned out to be very similar. The same characters who help a mother to breast-feed are the ones who make her stop. The implication for an intervention program is that it is necessary to strengthen some knowledge and inhibit some other within the same group of people.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed1995

Barriers to social network interventions with persons with severe and persistent mental illness: a survey of mental health case managers.

In order to empirically assess the existence, strength, and relative influence of barriers to social network interventions for persons with severe mental disability which have been cited in the literature, a survey of the knowledge and attitudes of social networks and social network interventions of eighty mental health case managers and case management supervisors was conducted. Findings indicate gaps in case managers' level of knowledge of social networks, with items based on empirical knowledge about social networks and severe mental disability least likely to be answered correctly. Case managers both perceive, and have experienced, a significant number of obstacles that affect their ability to develop social network interventions-system barriers (paperwork, caseload size, lack of case manager time, etc.), community barriers (stigma and lack of resources), and client/family barriers (lack of interest in social networks, clients having a "burnt out" network, clients not wanting to identify social network needs, etc.). Case managers cited few major barriers pertaining to their own level of knowledge, skills, or interest in, social network interventions. Strategies to address identified barriers are presented.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Age differences in social network participation.

Differences in participation in social networks were analyzed as a function of age, drawing on a theoretical model of substitution processes. Using an empirical approach from the study of participation in voluntary organizations, I separated the direct effects of age from indirect effects via age-based declines in resources. The results show that a substantial proportion of the age-based decrease in level of activity in social networks was due to declines in resources, but similar analyses for the sources of participation in networks showed effects of age that persisted after controlling for resources. These results point to some important distinctions among measures of social networks.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

The effects of social networks on disability in older Australians.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of total social networks and specific social networks with children, relatives, friends, and confidants on disability in mobility and Nagi functional tasks. METHODS: Six waves of data from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing were used. Data came from 1,477 participants aged 70 years or older. The effects of total social networks and those with children, relatives, friends, and confidants on transitions in disability status were analyzed using binary and multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS: After controlling for a range of health, environmental, and personal factors, social networks with relatives were protective against developing mobility disability (OR = 0.89; 95% CI = 0.79 to 1.00) and Nagi disability (OR = 0.85; 95% CI = 0.74 to 0.96). Other social subnetworks did not have a consistent effect on the development of disability. DISCUSSION: The effects of social relationships extend beyond disability in activities of daily living. Networks with relatives protect against disability in mobility and Nagi tasks.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Social networks and inflammatory markers in the Framingham Heart Study.

Lack of social integration predicts coronary heart disease mortality in prospective studies; however, the biological pathways that may be responsible are poorly understood. The specific aims of this study were to examine whether social networks are associated with serum concentrations of the inflammatory markers interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Participants in the Framingham Study attending examinations from 1998 to 2001 (n=3267) were eligible for inclusion in the study. Social networks were assessed using the Berkman-Syme Social Network Index (SNI). Concentrations of IL-6, CRP, sICAM-1 and MCP-1 were measured in fasting serum samples. Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to assess the association of social networks with inflammatory markers adjusting for potential confounders including age, smoking, blood pressure, total:HDL cholesterol ratio, body mass index, lipid-lowering and antihypertensive medication, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression and socioeconomic status. Results found that the SNI was significantly inversely associated with IL-6 in men (p=0.03) after adjusting for potential confounders. In age-adjusted analyses, social networks also were significantly inversely associated with IL-6 for women (p=0.03) and were marginally to modestly associated with CRP and sICAM-1 for men (p=0.08 and 0.02, respectively), but these associations were not significant in the multivariate analyses. In conclusion, social networks were found to be inversely associated with interleukin-6 levels in men. The possibility that inflammatory markers may be potential mediators between social integration and coronary heart disease merits further investigation.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed2004

Social networks in the guppy (Poecilia reticulata).

Social network theory is used to elicit details of the social structure of a population of free-ranging guppies, Poecilia reticulata. They were found to have a complex and highly structured social network, which exhibited characteristics consistent with the 'small world' phenomenon. Stable partner associations between individuals were observed, a finding that fulfils the basic prerequisite for the evolution of reciprocal altruism. The findings are discussed in relation to the ecology and evolution of the wild population, highlighting the potential application of network theory to social associations in animals.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Social networks and functional status in patients with psychosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether large social networks are associated with better functional outcome in psychotic disorders. METHOD: A prospective cohort study of epidemiologically representative patients with psychosis was analysed to examine the relationship between social networks and functional outcome. Standardized validated measures were used for diagnosis, social networks and outcome. RESULTS: There was strong evidence of cross-sectional associations between the size of the social network and the number of active interactions, and functional outcome. Structural equation modelling found weak evidence of an additional longitudinal association. CONCLUSION: There was consistent evidence of a positive correlation between the total size of patients' social networks and the number of active interactions, and functional outcome. The direction of causality cannot be determined by this analysis, although it is suggested that the effect of social networks on functioning is stronger than vice versa. Patients' functioning may improve with interventions that improve social networks.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Health status, social networks and support systems of elderly men and women in a large city and in former coal-mining areas--a population-based comparative study of 70-year-old residents of Sapporo and Yubari].

In order to analyze the different features of the social network, social support system and health status of elderly people, a survey was performed of the social environment and health related issues among 70 year-old men and women in Sapporo, a large city, and Yubari, a small city which has experienced coal mine closures, both in Hokkaido prefecture. The results were as follows: 1. In Yubari, the health status of the elderly living alone was better than those with other familial categories such as living with their spouse, or with the families of their children. In contrast, the status of the elderly living alone in Sapporo was worse than the others. The mean numbers of out-patient visits and hospital admissions during the previous one year were higher among elderly people living alone in both areas. 2. There were large differences in social support and social network in the two areas and among the living status of the elderly. In particular, persons living alone in Sapporo had statistically significantly lower amount of support than others. Elderly people in Sapporo had fewer contacts with their neighbors and only a small number of them participated in community-based social associations compared with the same age groups in the city of Yubari. 3. An extremely small number of the elderly were provided formal support from official personnel such as public health nurses, district welfare commissioners and so on. The results of this study suggest the need for more formal and informal networks to provide for social support for those elderly men and women living alone in large cities.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Food choice and fat intake of adolescents and adults: associations of intakes within social networks.

BACKGROUND: Influences of the social environment are important in determining eating behavior. Family influences have been demonstrated by resemblances in intakes within families, but research on resemblance in intake between friends is lacking. We investigated the resemblance in fat and food intake within social networks that included family members and peers. METHODS: Fat consumption was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire in 361 social networks consisting of 15-year-old adolescents (n = 347), their mothers (n = 309), their fathers (n = 270), their friends (n = 240), 79 friends of mothers, and 29 friends of fathers. Ten family interviews and four focus group interviews were carried out in a subsample. RESULTS: Within the nuclear family, the intake of 76 to 94% of the foods was significantly associated, which resulted in moderate Pearson correlations for fat and fatty acid intake (% of energy intake) between parents (0.30-0.34), between mother and child (0.19-0.38), and between father and child (0.16-0.26). No significant correlations for fat intake were found between friends, but the consumption of specific foods was related. CONCLUSIONS: We found clear resemblance in habitual fat and food intake between parents and their adolescent children and between spouses. Friends do not seem to have a lot of influence on the fat intake of adolescents and adults in this population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Social networks and health of older people living in sheltered housing.

Eighty-seven residents from three sheltered accommodation schemes for people over 60 years, were interviewed about: their physical and mental health, social networks, social support, decision to move in, and how they found living in sheltered housing. Twenty-four percent had a diagnosis of depression and 8% dementia, but few had ever seen a mental health professional. Over half (55%) had clinically significant levels of activity limitation and 37% had significant somatic symptoms. Despite provision of glasses or aids 31% could not see satisfactorily and 23% could not hear adequately. Locally integrated social networks were most common (41%). Residents with a private network (16%) were more likely than those with a locally integrated network to have significant activity limitation and to report often being lonely. There were no differences between network types in levels of depression or dementia. Poor health of a person or their spouse was the most commonly reported reason for moving to sheltered housing, followed by the possibly related reasons of problems with their old home no longer being suitable e.g. stairs, and because they wanted to have a warden or alarm system available should the need arise. Most residents were happy living in sheltered accommodation. Many made use of 'sheltered' features such as the common room, the communal laundry, the warden and the alarm. A minority of residents were lonely and a few were unhappy with sheltered accommodation.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2005

Assortative interactions and social networks in fish.

The mechanisms underpinning the structure of social networks in multiple fish populations were investigated. To our knowledge this is the first study to provide replication of social networks and therefore probably the first that allows general conclusions to be drawn. The social networks were all found to have a non-random structure and exhibited 'social cliquishness'. A number of factors were observed to contribute to this structuring. Firstly, social network structure was influenced by body length and shoaling tendency, with individuals interacting more frequently with conspecifics of similar body length and shoaling tendency. Secondly, individuals with many social contacts were found to interact with each other more often than with other conspecifics, a phenomenon known as a 'positive degree correlation'. Finally, repeated interactions between pairs of individuals occurred within the networks more often than expected by random interactions. The observed network structures will have ecological and evolutionary implications. For example, the occurrence of positive degree correlations suggests the possibility that pathogens and information (that are socially transmitted) could spread very fast within the populations. Furthermore, the occurrence of repeated interactions between pairs of individuals fulfils an important pre-requisite for the evolution of reciprocal altruism.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Job-related social networks and communication technology.

In order to examine the social networks of individuals who rely on AAC, 38 adults who used AAC provided information about how they developed and maintained job-related social networks and how communication technologies helped them to do so. The respondents met new people who might become part of their job-related networks during social events with family or friends, as well as at meetings, conferences, and workshops. They also frequently used generic communication technologies such as the phone, email, computer, and the Internet to maintain contact with people in their social networks. Findings suggest that land-line telephones, email, and the Internet were used by the largest percentage of respondents, with email and the Internet used most frequently to contact the largest number of people. Qualitative data provided information about the use of technology for enhancing participants' job-related networks and suggestions for new or improved technologies.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Structure of peer-to-peer social networks.

This paper presents a statistical analysis of the structure of peer-to-peer (P2P) social networks that captures social associations of distributed peers in resource sharing. Peer social networks appear to be mainly composed of pure resource providers that guarantee high resource availability and reliability of P2P systems. The major peers that both provide and request resources are only a small fraction. The connectivity between peers, including undirected, directed (out and in) and weighted connections, is scale-free and the social networks of all peers and major peers are small world networks. The analysis also confirms that peer social networks show in general disassortative correlations, except that active providers are connected between each other and by active requesters. The study presented in this paper gives a better understanding of peer relationships in resource sharing, which may help a better design of future P2P networks and open the path to the study of transport processes on top of real P2P topologies.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1989

Social networks and negative versus positive symptoms of schizophrenia.

The social networks of people with schizophrenia are less functional than those of nonpsychiatric populations. In this study, positive versus negative symptoms were examined in relation to social networks. Thirty-nine patients with chronic schizophrenia were assessed for positive and negative symptoms and for size and quality of social network. Patients with more negative symptoms had significantly smaller social networks. Their networks were similarly more dysfunctional on a variety of measures. Positive symptoms did not correlate significantly with any network variable.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

The social network characteristics of fibromyalgia patients compared with healthy controls.

OBJECTIVE: To assess structural social network characteristics and perceived loneliness in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) patients and healthy controls. METHODS: A cross-sectional, retrospective, case-control design was employed using a structured interview and a self-report questionnaire. We studied 25 female FMS patients and 25 matched healthy female controls. RESULTS: FMS patients had statistically significantly (P < 0.05) more intimate friends (mean 4.5) and more health care providers (mean 1.5) than did controls (2.3 and 0.0, respectively). The FMS patients more often initiated the contact with family members (mean 2.1) than did controls (mean 0.8). FMS patients did not perceive themselves as lonelier than controls perceived themselves. While there was a significant negative correlation between loneliness and social network variables among the controls, this relationship was not significant among the FMS patients. Among the patients, there was a strong correlation between the total social network size and the number of intimate friends, whereas in controls, the mean number of acquaintances was strongly correlated with the total network size. CONCLUSION: Compared to healthy controls, the social networks of FMS patients presented more linkages with intimate friends, family members, and health care providers. The lack of correlation between loneliness and social network variables for FMS patients is not what might be expected from social support theory. The assessment of structural social network characteristics along with social support variables may add to our understanding of the social functioning of FMS patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Social network and behaviour problems among 11-13-year-old schoolchildren. A theoretical and empirical basis for network therapy.

On the basis of theories concerning the relation of the social network to health and behaviour (e.g., social ecology, systems theory, and susceptibility theory), a theoretical model has been developed to understand the influence of the social network on children's behaviour problems in school. In western societies, children may participate in a number of different groups, such as the family, and school, neighbours, and so on. These groups may have different values, ideals and norms, etc. such differences may be assumed to promote the child's development, but they may also give rise to difficulties. The extent to which the persons in these groups know one another is assumed to be of vital importance in this regard. Contacts between the various persons in the different groups in the child's network are called spans and a network with a few of these is called a fragmented network. The main purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that children with behaviour problems in school have fragmented networks. The networks of schoolchildren aged 11-13 years from various groups of schoolchildren from the general population (the main study comprised 190 boys and girls) were studied with the help of a method consisting of a network map of the children's everyday social networks, which they had to fill in. This method was tested by studying the relation of the network variables to the background variables, by means of comparisons with sociograms and classmates network maps, comparisons with information from the parents, by retesting and also by means of a structured interview with the children and a questionnaire sent to teachers and parents. The method was found to be usable for describing the child's 'inner picture' of its social network, which also seems to agree to some extent with the views held by other persons who know the child well. Rutter's teacher's questionnaire, after it was tested for validity and reliability under Swedish conditions, has been used as a screening instrument for behaviour problems in schools. The 32 children with behaviour problems in school, according to Rutter's teacher's questionnaire, were compared with the remaining 158. The findings support the hypothesis that was advanced--namely, that the problem children have fragmented networks. In view of the results obtained, which also support the theory advanced, a case study is reported concerning a model for clinical interventions in the form of network therapy for children with behaviour problems in school and who have fragmented networks.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Behavior Therapy↗
PubMed1998

Social networks, stress and health-related quality of life.

Although evidence suggests that social networks reduce the risk of mortality and are negatively associated with severe mental disability, little is known about their relationship to everyday functioning and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). In addition, the importance of social networks in the presence of chronic stress remains unclear. We examined the association between social networks and aspects of mental functioning (mental health, vitality and role-emotional functioning) and the relationship between social networks and mental functioning in the presence of stressors. Multiple linear and logistic regression models were used to examine data in 47,912 middle-aged and older healthy women. The Medical Outcomes Study Shortform Health Survey measured dimensions of quality of life. We observed strong associations between levels of social networks and multivariate-adjusted quality of life scores, particularly in potentially high stress situations. Compared to the most socially integrated, women who were socially isolated had reductions in mental health and vitality scores of 6.5 and 7.4 points, respectively and a 60% increased risk of limitation in role-emotional functioning. Social networks are positively associated with mental functioning in women. This association is strongest for women reporting high levels of home and work stressors.

Adult↗