Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Personal social networks of women with co-occurring substance use and mental disorders
- Authors:
- TRACY Elizabeth M., JOHNSON Pamela J.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 7(1/2), 2007, pp.69-90.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
There has been relatively little examination of the social network resources of women with substance use disorder, and even fewer explorations of women with co-occurring mental disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder. This American study explores the nature of co-occurring mental disorders, social network characteristics and perceived social support in 136 women with substance use disorders. Respondents reported small personal networks that contained both supportive and non-supportive people. Relatives did provide social support, but those who used alcohol/drugs were viewed as tending to interact negatively. Women with dual disorders perceived less concrete, emotional, and sobriety support from some network relationships than the women with substance use disorders only. Implications for research and practice are presented. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Addressing unmet needs in incarcerated women with co-occurring disorders
- Authors:
- SALINA Doreen D., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Service Research, 37(4), July 2011, pp.365-378.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Women are increasingly entering and leaving the criminal justice system with unmet needs relating to lack of mental health and substance abuse treatment and availability of basic resources. The presence of unmet needs is likely to impact the success of community entry of incarcerated women. This study aimed to identify the most prevalent critical needs reported by incarcerated women with co-occurring disorders. The participants were 281 incarcerated women diagnosed with substance use and mental health disorders. The women completed interviews while incarcerated and again at 1, 3 and 6 months after community re-entry. The findings revealed that the women had the same or a higher number of needs after spending 6 months in the community compared to those reported while incarcerated. A low level of social support was related to negative outcomes. The article concludes that incarcerated women require holistic evaluation assessments and integrated treatment plans that encourage staff to comprehensively assess clients at intake and link them to support services during and after incarceration.
Disappearing acts: The social networks of formerly homeless individuals with co-occurring disorders
- Authors:
- HAWKINS Robert Leibson, ABRAMS Courtney
- Journal article citation:
- Social Science and Medicine, 65(10), November 2007, pp.2031-2042.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Studies of the social lives of men and women living with co-occurring disorders (substance abuse and serious mental illness) suggest that social networks critically influence recovery. In this paper, the authors examine some of the reasons that the social networks of individuals with co-occurring disorders are small, and the impact of small networks for this population. Using a social capital framework with cross-case analysis, 72 in-depth qualitative interviews with 39 formerly homeless mentally ill men and women who were substance abusers were analysed. All were participants in the New York Services Study (NYSS), a federally funded study of mentally ill adults in New York City. The patterns suggest that networks shrunk because (1) social network members died prematurely, (2) study participants withdrew or pushed others away, and (3) friends and family members faced so many obstacles of their own that they could not provide resources for the study participants. The authors suggest that as networks diminished, some participants responded by attempting to rebuild their networks, even if the networks provided negative social capital, and others isolated themselves socially to escape the pressures and disappointments of interaction.
Personal social networks and disorders: a literature review and implications for practice and future research
- Authors:
- TRACY Elizabeth M., BIEGEL David E.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Dual Diagnosis, 2(2), 2006, pp.59-88.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This literature review aimed to examine the literature on social networks and dual disorders, and the separate literatures on social networks in relation to mental illness and substance abuse respectively and to consider implications for practice and research. Papers selected for review included empirical studies of social networks and/or social support of adults with diagnosed substance use and/or mental disorders. Thirty-six studies met the criteria for review which is organized around three themes: structural characteristics of social networks, network composition, and the impact of social networks on treatment and recovery. The results found that social networks function both as a predictor as well as an outcome of mental illness and substance use. Understanding and assessment of social networks is important to understanding addictive behaviours. The review highlights the need for further research in the following areas: the role of social networks in readiness for treatment, entry into and participation in treatment, and support for recovery; the impact of treatment and peer support programs on social networks; social networks in relation to a wider range of mental disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder); and the impact of race, ethnicity, and gender on social networks of adults with dual disorders. In addition, the role that families play in treatment and recovery as well as the impact of clients' dual disorders upon family members needs examination. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Using social support for LGBTQ clients with mental illness to be out of the closet, in treatment, and in the community
- Author:
- KLEIN Eileen
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services, 29(3), 2017, pp.221-232.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) individuals are often faced with societal challenges that can lead to mental health or substance abuse issues. They may be misunderstood or mistreated when seeking services because of a lack of training in offering culturally sensitive treatment by service providers. A programme, the Rainbow Heights Club, was developed to support LGBTQ individuals with a mental health diagnosis. All of the members are in treatment for their mental health and/or substance abuse problems, but prior to the development of the programme did not have a place to feel accepted, supported, or have a sense of community. Members were surveyed determine if Rainbow Heights was helpful in maintaining themselves in the community. Results indicated that 75% of members are more consistent in following prescribed treatments, keeping them free from inpatient hospitalisation, and 79% reported being clean and sober since coming to the Club. (Edited publisher abstract)
Understanding the whole person: part one of a series of literature reviews on severe and multiple disadvantage
- Authors:
- TERRY Lucy, CARDWELL Vicki
- Publisher:
- Revolving Doors Agency
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 27
- Place of publication:
- London
Based on a review of the literature in three different disciplinary fields, this report highlights common themes in research into recovery from mental illness; recovery from drug and alcohol problems; and desistance from crime. It is the first in a series of literature reviews on severe and multiple disadvantage to bring the evidence base together and to better understand the common themes across people's journeys of recovery and change. The literature in all three domains found that recovery is an ongoing journey that takes considerable time. Other common themes identified factors that were helpful in recovery, including: a strong and positive personal identity; agency and empowerment of individuals; positive meaning in life; the importance of social networks and social capital; and hope for the future. Key differences in recovery across the domains were what people were recovering from, in mental health the focuses is on recovery from institutionalisation rather than processes of behaviour and motivational change taking place in a social context. Recovery in mental health also emphasises the need for socially inclusive policies and adaptations that allow people with an ongoing severe mental illness to still participate on their own terms. Lessons for policy and service delivery are highlighted. The report concludes that themes from across the three domains offer key areas to focus on when supporting people to overcome multiple problems. (Edited publisher abstract)
Use of professional and informal support by Black men with mental disorders
- Authors:
- WOODWARD Amanda Toler, TAYLOR Robert Joseph, CHATTERS Linda M.
- Journal article citation:
- Research on Social Work Practice, 21(3), May 2011, pp.328-336.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This study aimed to investigate the use of different help-seeking options among African American and Caribbean black men with mental disorder. The study used data taken from the National Survey of American Life. The analytic sample included 371 African American and 138 Caribbean Black men who met diagnostic criteria for a mood disorder, an anxiety disorder, or a substance use disorder. The findings showed that 33% used both professional services and informal support, 14% relied on professional services only, 24% used informal support only, and 29% did not seek help. African American men were more likely than Caribbean Blacks to rely on informal support alone. Having co-occurring mental and substance disorders, experiencing an episode in the past 12 months, and having more people in the informal network increased the likelihood of using professional services and informal supports. Marital status, age, and socioeconomic status were also significantly related to help seeking. Almost 1 in 3 Black men with a psychiatric disorder did not receive assistance from either professional or informal helpers, suggesting a substantial amount of unmet need. However, the reliance on informal support also suggests a strong protective role that informal networks play in the lives of Black men.
Empirically supported family and peer interventions for dual disorders
- Author:
- MOORE Barbara C.
- Journal article citation:
- Research on Social Work Practice, 15(4), July 2005, pp.231-245.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This article selectively reviews evidence-based family and peer interventions for co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders. Although few researchers have specifically investigated family interventions for dual disorders, considerable empirical evidence exists for the effectiveness of such interventions in treating each of the two disorders separately. Quality of supporting research is examined and implications for dual disorders are explored. Findings from multiple studies are that inclusion of families in treatment helps to engage treatment-resistant individuals, promotes treatment adherence and psychiatric stability, reduces relapse, reduces alcohol and illicit drug use, and improves well-being of clients and family members. Research and treatment implications are discussed with suggestions for integration of approaches derived from the two historically separate fields.
Social networks of people with dual diagnosis: the quantity and quality of relationships at different stages of substance use treatment
- Authors:
- MacDONALD Elspeth M., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Community Mental Health Journal, 40(5), October 2004, pp.451-464.
- Publisher:
- Springer
This study compares the social networks, perceived levels of social support, and satisfaction with this support, for people with serious mental illnesses and comorbid problematic use of alcohol and other drugs who are at different stages of substance use recovery. Participants in the late stage of recovery were more likely to perceive greater social support from their non substance-using social contacts than participants in the early stage. This social support was more likely to be from professionals than other non-substance-using contacts in their networks. The support from professionals is discussed in relation to engagement in integrated dual diagnosis interventions.
Mental health and emerging adulthood among homeless young people
- Author:
- WHITBECK Les B.
- Publisher:
- Psychology Press
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 298p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- New York
This book reports a three year longitudinal study on mental health problems of homeless young people, in their mid teens to early twenties, from urban areas of Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri. The data, collected at three month intervals, covers emerging adulthood among runaways and homeless young people, mental health, unintentional and intentional injuries, adult roles, social networks, intimate relationships and economic adjustments, and lost and new opportunities. Homeless young people suffer many stresses and psychological consequences of missing key adolescent, developmental tasks are discussed. The author, and collaborators, focus on mental health and depression in Chapters 3 and 4, traumatic histories, substance misuse patterns and dissociative symptoms in chapters 5, 6 and 7, and physical injuries, self-harm, suicide ideation and health services utilisation in chapters 8, 9, 10 and 11. Social networks at home and on the streets, sexuality, relationships and pregnancy, and survival strategies, hunger, education and housing are covered in Chapters 12, 13 and 14. Psychological problems associated with victimisation experienced before and after running away are noted to shape behaviour, interpersonal relationships and chances of future adjustment to conventional life. Some, more serious, consequences and continuities of mental health problems are discussed in chapters 15 and 16.