Quality Of Social Networks Research Articles

A study protocol of the effectiveness of the Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP) for recent suicide attempters: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundGiven the limited research focusing on psychotherapeutic interventions for suicide attempters, it is noteworthy that the Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP) has demonstrated promising results in previous studies. In this investigation, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness of ASSIP across diverse healthcare settings, outlining the study design and planned evaluation.MethodsUsing a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) design with four assessment points (baseline, 3, 12- and 24-month follow-up), we aim to assess the effect of the 3-session psychotherapeutic intervention and hereafter brief contact via structured letters during 2 years in a clinical sample of recent suicide attempters (suicide attempts within three months before inclusion). Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups; treatment as usual plus ASSIP or the control condition, treatment as usual. Assessments include measures of suicidal intent, coping, symptoms of depression, quality of life, self-stigma, and sick leave. The primary outcome is suicide attempt(s) within 3, 12, and 24 months and the secondary outcome is suicidal ideation within the same time frames after study inclusion.DiscussionFindings from this study will provide novel insights regarding the effects of ASSIP on not only subsequent suicidal behavior but also other outcomes including self-stigma, quality of life, social network, sick leave, and symptoms of depression.Trial registrationThe trial was registered at ClinicalTrial.gov NCT04746261 on 2020-10-15.

Leading by Example: Identity Leadership and Mental Health in Men's Sheds Members.

The impact of leadership on members' mental health outcomes in community-based mutual-aid organizations such as Men's Shed is unknown. We analyzed (a) whether identity leadership is associated with Shed members' mental health, and (b) whether these links are mediated by psychological safety, social network quality, and social identity. Path analysis on data collected from 162 Australian Men's Shed members revealed statistically significant associations between identity leadership and each mechanism, and our model accounted for significant variance in mental health outcomes (14%-24%, ps < .001). Only social network quality and psychological safety were associated with unique variance in mental health outcomes. All indirect effects via social network quality and psychological safety were significant. These findings suggest the proposed mechanisms explain the relationship between identity leadership mental health outcomes in mutual-aid organizations such as Men's Sheds.

Does E-Service Quality and Social Network Really Matter? Examining Its Impact on Trust and Purchase Intention

Current study explored the connection between e-service quality, social networks, purchase intention, and customer trust, specifically focusing on how artificial intelligence impacts e-service quality within insurance companies. This research employed Theory of Planned Behavior as the basis foundation and conducted through a quantitative approach. Denpasar was used as the research location and targeting 150 local communities as respondents. Empirical data was collected through questionnaires and the analysis was performed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with AMOS version 23 software. The findings indicate significant and positive relationships among all variables, leading to the acceptance of all hypothesis. The findings of this research show that the quality of AI-based services and social networks has a significant impact on the level of consumer trust in insurance products. A high level of trust in the quality of insurance products will in turn increase consumers' willingness to use these insurance products, thereby stimulating consumer loyalty towards insurance companies. The results of data analysis highlight that trust is a crucial key in consumer interest in purchasing a product. Interesting findings from this research also emphasize that gender, especially female consumers, show higher interest in insurance products. This is due to the belief that women have a high awareness of health and financial risks, thus motivating them to use insurance products.

Experience real-time, health and biological outcoMes of personal recovery in PeOple With mEntal disorders in Residential facilities (EMPOWER): a cohort study

Introduction Deinstitutionalization has resulted in diverse mental health care models, influenced by local resources, funding, and cultural factors. In Italy, 127 Department of Mental Health (DMHs) provide care for individuals with mental disorders. People with severe mental disorders (SMD) live independently or in residential facilities (RFs). Approximately half of the Italian DMH budget is allocated to RFs, serving around 3.6% of people with SMD. Italian RFs prioritize personal recovery, empowering individuals with SMD to live fulfilling lives despite symptoms and psychosocial challenges. While personal recovery is known to improve well-being and cost-effectiveness, its implementation in Italian RFs remains incomplete. There is insufficient evidence regarding its impact on various outcomes for residents, including health, psychosocial, and biological factors.Objectives The EMPOWER Study aims to assess whether adding personal recovery to Treatment As Usual (TAU) in Italian RFs could improve functioning (primary outcome), health, biological status, productivity and interpersonal relationships (secondary outcomes) among patients receiving the personal recovery-oriented treatment, compared with TAU. Additionally, data will be collected from informal caregivers, mental health professionals, and concerning the recovery orientation of RFs.MethodsThis study employs a longitudinal cohort design, gathering data at baseline and six-month follow-up in Italian RFs. A cohort of residents over 18 y.o. who receive a personal recovery-oriented treatment, the Mental Health Recovery Star (N=20), is compared to a matched group of residents receiving the TAU (N=20). International standardized assessments collect patients’ data on functioning, psychopathology, need for care, quality of life (QoL), positivity, social network, service satisfaction, and patient stigma. Informal caregivers’ data includes burden, QoL, positivity, and service satisfaction. Mental health professionals’ data encompasses burnout, stress, stigma, positivity, and work satisfaction. The working alliance between professionals and patients is assessed. Clinical and biological exams (blood and saliva samples) are collected, along with actigraphy data on patients’ circadian rhythm and physical activities. Digital data through a mobile app captures psychopathology, productive activities, social network, using the Experience Sampling Method with questions defined with patients. Focus groups with patients, professionals, and informal caregivers are facilitated by an expert by experience. Recovery orientation of RFs is assessed.ResultsNot yet available.ConclusionsThis study aims to generate novel insight that could improve our treatment approaches for patients in residential facilities.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Association of sleep quality and use of social networks by adolescents

Association of sleep quality and use of social networks by adolescents

Social network type contributes to purpose in life among older people, mediated by social support

A sense of Purpose in Life is an important aspect of ageing well which is related to older adult’s social relationships. Social network types and the different sources of support they provide are theorized here as a pathway to maintaining a sense of purpose as we age. The study utilized a population sample from the 2016 and 2020 NZ Health, Work, and Retirement (NZHWR) longitudinal survey waves; N = 2869 (mean age of 65.82 years (SD = 6.40). A structural equation model investigated the relationship between Social Network Type and Purpose in Life and the mediating role of Social Support. The final model had a good fit to the data and explained 33.7% of the variance in Purpose in Life. Private, Self-Contained and Family Dependent network types (2016) were negatively related to Purpose in Life 4 years later (2020). Support from sense of Attachment, Reassurance of Worth, Reliable Alliance and Social Integration played a mediating role between Social Network type and Purpose in Life. These findings highlight the importance of social networks in maintaining a sense of purpose among older adults and highlight pathways for the types of networks, and kinds of social support they offer, which contribute to a sense of purpose in life. They underscore the importance of social support for the well-being of older adults and highlight the need to consider the quality and type of social networks and support they provide, when designing interventions to enhance well-being.

HOOK-UP APPS COMPLICATE VISIBILITY FOR RURAL QUEER PEOPLE: RESULTS OF A QUALITATIVE SCOPING STUDY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

Before the millennium, finding other queer people often involved travelling to a queer venue in a city. Consequently, queer people have been at the forefront of internet technologies such as hook-up apps, namely $2 . Rural hook-up app use is under-researched, and queer visibility may be more carefully negotiated in rural areas than in cities. We carried out a qualitative study to establish whether location and/or technology use shaped social, sexual and romantic network creation and/or quality. Thirty-eight participants in cities and rural areas across the UK took part. We found hook-up apps to be the only source of local queer connection for some rural participants. Users speak of being drawn to these technologies when lonely, yet find they can contribute to feelings of isolation. Being visible, which the pictorial logic of some hook-up apps demands, can be difficult in rurality due to partial ‘outness’ about sexuality. Some fear meeting other app users in public in rural areas due to potential homophobia, yet lack access to private spaces. Some users find innovative ways to meet goals of friendship and community beyond the perceived affordances of sexual hook-ups, such as forming friendship and community groups via or beyond apps. This demonstrates that hook-up apps are inadequately-tailored tools for participants’ queerness, which extends beyond visible sexuality to negotiated communities and relationships of trust. This contributes to wider understanding of technology’s role in shaping social cohesion across diverse geographies and groups and the demands of visibility of such technologies on users.

USING INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND SOCIAL NETWORK TO UNDERSTAND ELDER MISTREATMENT RECURRENCE

Abstract The incidence of elder mistreatment are often recurrent rather than one-time. The recurrence of mistreatment contributes to severe physical and psychological problems for victims and negative social consequences. Poor interpersonal relationships and social isolation are the main factors of mistreatment occurrence in the literature. However, very few studies have considered how the quality of interpersonal relationships and the level of social networks affect the likelihood of mistreatment recurrence. We used the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project waves 1 (2005–06) and 3 (2015–16) data for longitudinal analyses (N=1,592). The quality of interpersonal relationships (i.e., supportive relationship, strained relationship) and the level of social networks (i.e., social engagement, social isolation, and feeling safe in society) were conceptualized using factor analysis to estimate factor scores. Logistic regression models were built to predict the risk of recurrent mistreatment using interpersonal relationship quality and the level of the social networks. Controlling for demographic variables, victims in wave 1 with support from interpersonal relationships are more likely to experience reoccurring mistreatment (p&amp;lt; 0.05, OR=1.58). Model interaction effects indicated that older adults with strained interpersonal relationships and low social engagement are most at risk of experiencing mistreatment recurrence. The surprising finding that supportive interpersonal relationships are positively associated with mistreatment recurrence might indicate that those who support older adults are potential perpetrators. Identifying potential perpetrators and assessing the quality of interpersonal relationships and social networks are essential to preventing mistreatment recurrence.

Social anxiety, behavioural activation and depression risk in older men: protection through Men's Shed membership.

Reducing rates of depressive symptoms in older adults is a public health priority. Men's Sheds are a community organisation that may protect against depressive symptoms in older men. It is currently unclear how social anxiety and behavioural activation may relate to depressive symptoms for Men's Shed members. We employed a cross-sectional design to explore whether the relationships between social anxiety, behavioural activation and depressive symptoms were contingent upon Shed social network quality in a sample of 164 Men's Shed members. Conditional effects analysis found social anxiety (B = -0.08, p < 0.01) and behavioural activation's (B = 0.02, p < 0.001) relationships with depression to be contingent on Shed social network quality. Additionally, we found evidence for a conditional effect of social anxiety on the relationship between behavioural activation and depression (B = -0.03, p < 0.01) such that this relationship was stronger for those with higher levels of social anxiety. Our findings suggest that a strong social network within a Men's Shed weakens the association between social anxiety and depression, that the relationship between behavioural activation and depression is stronger in those with poorer Shed social networks, and that the relationship between behavioural activation and depression may be stronger for those with higher levels of social anxiety. We suggest that our findings contribute to increasing quantitative support for the mental health benefits of Men's Shed membership, highlight the potential importance of Shed social network quality and explore how social anxiety may affect the mental health outcomes for members.

Social network size and mental health outcomes in youth with neuroinflammatory disorders

Background75 % of youth with MS report symptoms of fatigue, depression, and anxiety. Social network size (number of people in an individual's network) is known to have positive impacts on health and health behavior in pediatric populations and in individuals with multiple sclerosis. ObjectivesTo estimate associations between social network size (SNS) and depression, anxiety, symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and quality of life among youth with recurrent neuroinflammatory disorders (RNI) in comparison to that of youth with monophasic acquired demyelinating syndrome (mono-ADS). MethodsYouth with RNI and mono-ADS were recruited from the Pediatric Neuroinflammatory Disorders Clinic at the Hospital for Sick Children between September 2020 and August 2022. After consent, participants completed the questionnaires on social network composition, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and quality of life. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted for differences between cohorts and correlations. ResultsYouth with RNI (n = 37, Female= 22, Median age= 15, IQR= 3) and mono-ADS (n = 23, Female= 12, Median age= 14, IQR= 4.5) did not differ in: SNS, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and quality of life. Larger SNS was associated with lower anxiety (rs= -0.350, p<0.05) in youth with RNI and youth with RNI who presented anxiety disorder had significantly lower number of social contacts than those who did not (t = 2.23, p = 0.033, ES= 0.90) but not in mono-ADS. When analyzing the two cohorts grouped together, all youth who screened for anxiety had significantly smaller network size than those who did not (t = 2.06, p = 0.045, ES= 0.66). This was similar with those who screened for depression (t = 2.05, p = 0.046, ES= 0.58). ConclusionsIn youth with RNI, SNS was associated with anxiety. SNS is one important aspect of social networks that have the potential to shape mental health in youth with neuroinflammatory disorders. Future studies should focus on social network composition, strength of ties, and types of support in shaping health outcomes.

Social media’s impact on Generation Z’s purchasing behavior of sustainable products

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of social networks on the consumption behavior of sustainable products among Generation Z. Social networks have evolved into important technologies, making them an unavoidable option for Generation Z and the human race in general. Therefore, it is necessary to comprehensively assess how social networks have influenced the consumption behavior of Gen Z toward sustainable products in order to improve the process of community implementation while improving the quality of social networks and the durability of products. A literature review was conducted of studies linked to the suggested study model, which includes a mix of social network models and external variables influencing Gen Z's purchase of sustainable products via social networks. The suggested model was then tested on a sample of 100 Vietnamese students. Social networking techniques were used to study and evaluate the dataset. The report advises that managers and marketers should employ social media marketing tactics to communicate with Gen Z customers and promote the value of sustainability. Management and marketers should also provide sustainability information and promote sustainable goods on popular social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.

Psychosocial-Spiritual Factors Associated With Well-being of Older Population in Africa

Background: The quality of well-being of the older population is a crucial determinant of successful aging as well as the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG target 3). However, the impact of psychosocial-spiritual factors on well-being is affected by the level of general health conditions in the older population. Previous studies have focused more on the physical health and psychological well-being nexus, but the role of general health conditions in mediating the association between psychosocial-spiritual factors and well-being in the older population in Africa was not investigated. This study, therefore, examined the psychosocial-spiritual factors associated with well-being in the older population in Africa with a focus to determine the contribution of all the psychosocial-spiritual factors when mediated by general health conditions. Methods: In this regard, a quantitative research methodology was adopted using a descriptive survey. A total of 833 elderly people with a mean age of f 68.04±6.71 years were recruited, comprising 484 females and 399 males in five municipalities. Results: The findings revealed that general health conditions, quality of life, social support, and social network are significantly associated with well-being in older people. Furthermore, the mediating effect of general health conditions had an inverse association with well-being. Conclusion: Accordingly, a commitment to quality of life, healthcare services, social support, and family social network is effective for Africa to achieve healthy lives and promote well-being for individuals of all ages.

Parenting Strengths and Distress among Black Mothers Reported to the Child Welfare System: The Role of Social Network Quality

Parenting Strengths and Distress among Black Mothers Reported to the Child Welfare System: The Role of Social Network Quality

Lived experiences of Kashmiri pandit women :

Migration, whether forced or voluntary, has been an intrinsic part of the broader processes of social change across the world. However, there is a marked difference in the way different forms of migration are conceptualised and the resultant implication that it has. For instance, the difference between refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) and the expected role of the state in dealing with them. Officially termed 'migrants', the Kashmiri Pandit community – originally belonging to the now Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India, is a quintessential example of a community that was forcibly displaced and forced into a life of exile in their own country over three decades ago. The exilic conditions that characterised their lives have left an indelible print on their minds and have shaped their life discourses polemically, in the forms of ruptured social fabric, disoriented identity, barriers to education, healthcare and restricted labour market opportunities. Although displacement affected the entire community at large, the impact of displacement was experienced differentially. This difference stemmed from gender, the social capital they possessed, educational qualifications that they had, their place of residence (rural or urban) and the quality of social networks they had access to. The most explicit difference can be seen between those who were set up in tents that were sunk in filth and were a breeding ground for disease and ill-health versus those who were displaced but never had to live in 'migrant camps'. But even within these two groups, there are apparent differences in the lives of men and women. The challenges of everyday life are felt more acutely by women who have had to navigate the murky waters of patriarchy in addition to physical displacement. And yet, available literature on the subject is androcentric and homogenising in nature. The paper attempts to shed light on the manner and the source for the differential impact of displacement as seen through the impact of displacement on health, education and employment, which are more pronounced for women than men.

Social network characteristics of Black African and Caribbean people with psychosis in the UK

Poorer social networks predict more coercive pathways to care and other adverse outcomes in people with psychosis. People from Black African and Caribbean backgrounds have more negative experiences within UK mental health care systems and family relationships often breakdown. This study aimed to examine the social network characteristics of Black African and Caribbean people experiencing psychosis and associations between network characteristics and severity of psychosis, negative symptoms, and general psychopathology. Fifty-one participants completed social network mapping interviews (a gold standard approach to assessing social network composition) and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. This is the first study to explicitly measure social network size amongst Black people with psychosis living within the UK and results showed that participants’ social network size (mean = 12) was comparable to that of other psychosis samples. Networks were of moderate density and comprised disproportionately more relatives than other relationship types. Poor network quality was related to more severe psychosis symptoms suggesting that social network quality may be an important factor in influencing the severity of psychosis. Findings highlight the need for community-based interventions and family therapies to mobilise sources of social support for Black people with psychosis within the UK.

Negative symptoms and associated factors in older people with schizophrenia

IntroductionThe evolution of schizophrenia with age remains poorly studied. The prevalence of negative symptoms in elderly people with schizophrenia is even less described in the literature.Objectivesto evaluate the prevalence of remission of negative symptoms in the elderly and to study the sociodemographic and clinical variables associated with this remission.MethodsThe sample consisted of 83 subjects aged 55 years and over, followed at the psychiatry department "G" of the Razi hospital in Tunis and suffering from schizophrenia according to the DSM5 criteria. Global remission was defined as a score below 4 on the seven negative symptom items of the PANSS. A questionnaire was administered to each patient to collect epidemiological and anamnestic data.Results59% of the sample showed remission of global negative symptoms. 84% and 60% were in remission on the emotional and cognitive subscales, respectively. The existence of remission was correlated with lower PANSS global score, more preserved cognitive functioning, later age of onset, more family and social support, and the absence of a concomitant somatic illness.ConclusionsThis study showed that measures to optimize treatment of positive symptoms and cognitive functioning may have an impact on negative symptoms. Similarly, quality of social network in later life impacts the level of negative symptoms.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

The mediation role of social network size and perception in the association between physical activity and depressive symptoms: a prospective analysis from the SHARE study

Objectives To investigate the mediating role of social network size and perceived quality in the associations of physical activity with quality of life and depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older adults. Method We analyzed information of 10,569 middle-aged and older adults from waves 2 (2006–2007), 4 (2011–2012), and 6 (2015) of the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe study (SHARE). Data on physical activity (moderate and vigorous intensities), social network (size and quality), depressive symptoms (EURO-D scale), and quality of life (CASP) were self-reported. Sex, age, country of residency, schooling, occupational status, mobility, and baseline values of the outcome were used as covariates. We created mediation models to test the mediating effect of social network size and quality in the association between physical activity and depressive symptoms. Results Social network size partly mediated the association between vigorous physical activity and depressive symptoms (7.1%; 95%CI: 1.7–12.6) as well as the association between moderate (9.9%; 1.6–19.7) and vigorous (8.1%; 0.7–15.4) physical activity and quality of life. Social network quality did not mediate any of the associations tested. Conclusion We conclude that social network’s size, but not satisfaction, mediates part of the association of physical activity with depressive symptoms and quality of life in middle-aged and older adults. Future physical activity interventions among middle-aged and older adults should consider increasing social interactions to facilitate benefits for mental health-related outcomes.

The impact of a patient's social network on emergency surgery for colon cancer.

The aim of this study was to investigate if patients with a weak social network and colon cancer are more likely to be operated as an emergency than those with a strong social network. Data from patients living in Västerbotten County, Sweden, who underwent colon cancer surgery between 2007 and 2020 were extracted from the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry (SCRCR). Patients identified were matched against the Västerbotten Intervention Program (VIP) and the longitudinal study Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease (MONICA). These two databases include a survey that includes questions regarding quality and size of the patient's social network. Multivariable logistic regression was used for analysis. Six items from the questions on social network, and the composite variables availability of social integration (AVSI) and availability of attachment (AVAT) were analysed. Data from 801 patients were analysed. The odds ratio for emergency surgery was significantly higher for divorced patients (OR 2.01 (CI 1.03-3.91)) and for male gender (OR 1.51 (CI 1.02-2.24)). A higher OR was seen amongst those with no-one to share feelings with (OR 1.57 (CI 0.82-3.03)) or to comfort them (OR1.33 (CI 0.78-2.28)). Quantitative aspects of social life such as the number of people greater than 10 that feel relaxed at the patient's home, showed a lower OR (OR 0.71(CI 0.35-1.43)). The impact of social network on the risk for emergency surgery for colon cancer is limited. Divorced status and male gender were associated with an increased risk for emergency surgery.

The Quality of Small Social Networks and Their Performance in Architecture Design Offices

The Quality of Small Social Networks and Their Performance in Architecture Design Offices

SOCIAL NETWORKS AND HELP-SEEKING AMONG US CHINESE OLDER ADULTS REPORTED ELDER MISTREATMENT

Abstract Purpose Older immigrant adults are reported to be more tolerant of abusive situations and less likely to seek help. This study aimed to examine the associations between social networks and help-seeking among U.S. Chinese older adults reported elder mistreatment (EM). Methods Data were from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (PINE). Social networks were assessed with network size, volume of contact, emotional closeness, proportion kin, proportion female, and proportion coresident. Informal/formal help-seeking (intentions and actual behaviors) were measured. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were performed. Results A total of 450 participants reported EM. Participants had a mean age of 72.73 ± 8.03 years old (range 60-97). Participants had a mean of 3.29 (SD ± 1.31) network members, a mean of 3.24 (SD ± 0.67) emotional closeness, and average contacts of 6.62 (SD ± 1.10) times per year with network members. Smaller network size (p = .00) and less emotional closeness (p = .03) were associated with an increase in intentions of seeking help from formal sources. Compared to not seeking help, smaller network size (p = .04) and more emotional closes (p = .03) were associated with a higher likelihood to seek help from informal sources among U.S. Chinese older adults who reported any EM. Conclusion/implication: This study highlights the dynamic nature of social networks of help-seeking among this underserved population. Culturally tailored interventions are suggested to promote help-seeking through increasing strong ties and improving the quality of social networks for U.S. Chinese older immigrants with EM.