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Crucial individuals in the help-seeking pathway of Chinese caregivers of relatives with early psychosis in Hong Kong
- Author:
- WONG Daniel F.K.
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work: A journal of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), 52(2), April 2007, pp.127-135.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This study attempted to identify the crucial individuals in the help-seeking pathways of Chinese caregivers of relatives suffering from early psychosis in Hong Kong. In-depth interviews with 58 caregivers were conducted. The findings suggest that although the family caregivers usually initiated the help-seeking process, informal network members were instrumental in confirming the presence of mental illness and encouraged the caregivers to seek external help. School social workers acted as a bridge between the informal and formal networks and referred the adolescents for psychiatric consultations. However, it was found that some of the ill relatives did not recognize the severity of their mental health problems, which posed a major obstacle to help seeking. Contrary to the claims in overseas literature, the informal network members' accurate recognition of mental illness quickened the help-seeking process. Individual, cultural, and social institutional factors were identified and used to further explain these characteristics of help seeking. Implications for social work practice are highlighted.
Low-linking social capital as a predictor of mental disorders: a cohort study of 4.5 million Swedes
- Authors:
- LOFOS Jonas, SUNDQUIST Kristina
- Journal article citation:
- Social Science and Medicine, 64(1), January 2007, pp.21-34.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Few previous studies have analyzed the association between different dimensions of social capital and mental disorders. This study examines whether there is an association between a relatively new theoretical concept describing the amount of trust between individuals and societal institutions, i.e. linking social capital, and hospitalization due to depression or psychosis. The entire Swedish population aged 25–64, a total of 4.5 million men and women, was followed from January 1, 1997, until the first hospital admission due to depression or psychosis during the study period, or the end of the study on December 31, 1999. Small area neighbourhood units were used to define neighbourhoods. The definition of linking social capital was based on mean voting participation in each neighbourhood unit, categorized in tertiles. Multilevel logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios and neighbourhood-level variance in four different models. The results showed strong associations between linking social capital and hospitalization due to depression or psychosis. These associations decreased considerably in both men and women, but still remained significant, after adjustment for age, housing tenure, education, employment status, marital status, and country of birth. However, the results for depression (both men and women) no longer remained significant after adjustment for neighbourhood deprivation. In contrast, the results for psychosis decreased considerably but remained significant after adjustment for neighbourhood deprivation. The association between low levels of voting participation and hospitalization due to depression or psychosis might reflect neighbourhood differences in linking social capital, which could affect vulnerable individuals negatively. Decision-makers should take into account the evidence of a neighbourhood effect on mental health in decisions regarding the sites of psychiatric clinics and other kinds of community support for psychiatric patients.
What happens to social relationships in early psychosis? A phenomenological study of young people's experiences
- Authors:
- MacDONALD Elspeth, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 14(2), April 2005, pp.129-143.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
This phenomenological study explores young people's experiences of social relationships during the recovery phase of first-episode psychosis in order to facilitate their social relations. Six young people recovering from a first episode of psychosis and attending a Recovery Group Program in an early psychosis treatment facility in Australia were interviewed regarding their subjective experiences of social relationships. Five themes highlighted participants' experiences of losing contact with friends they had prior to their illness, valuing being with people who are understanding, and receiving support from family members and other young people who had also experienced psychosis. The participants also described feeling and being perceived as different, yet building new relationships in the recovery phase of their illness. The findings suggest the need for psychosocial programs that provide young people with environments that support them to cope with the direct implications of psychosis and to engage in behaviors and activities typical of young adults, thereby supporting the integrative processes following the onset of psychosis.
Connecting people: an exploratory study of how health and social care workers help people to develop and maintain relationships: research findings
- Author:
- UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL
- Publisher:
- NIHR School for Social Care Research
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 4
- Place of publication:
- London
Research briefing summarising the results of study which explored good practice in helping people with mental health problems to develop and maintain social relationships. The study took place in six health and social care agencies in England between September 2010 and November 2012. It focused on 84 workers who were skilled at assisting people to develop and maintain relationships, and had a particular interest in the experience of people with a diagnosis of psychosis. The main themes identified as important in supporting people to develop and maintain their social connections include: the attitude of the worker; a person-centred approach; agency support; equality of the worker-service user relationship; building new networks and relationships; engagement through activity; and the responsibility of the individual. These themes were developed in the Connecting People Intervention model which is also described. (Edited publisher abstract)