SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Social Networks”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Social networks, ideation, and contraceptive behavior in Bangladesh: a longitudinal analysis.

Longitudinal survey data from a panel of married women in Bangladesh is used to estimate the impact of a social network approach to family planning field worker communication and to test a theoretical model of behavior change that explains why women adopt modern contraceptives. Government field workers were trained to organize group discussions with women in the homes of opinion leaders located at central points in each village's social network. A set of intervening variables, referred to collectively as 'ideation', are derived from diffusion of innovation and social network theory to explain how the social network approach affects contraceptive behavior. The rate of increase in modern contraceptive use was found to be five times greater among women in the social network approach than among women who were visited by field workers at home. The impact of the social network approach on modern contraceptive use was almost double that of conventional field worker visits after controlling for the effects of prior contraceptive use and intention, prior home visits, and selected socio-demographic characteristics. Both approaches had the same degree of impact on ideation. The results confirm the influence of ideation on fertility change and suggest that family planning programs would benefit from training field workers to use a social network approach.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Social networks and infectious disease: the Colorado Springs Study.

The social network paradigm provides a set of concepts and methods useful for studying the structure of a population through which infectious agents transmitted during close personal contact spread, and an opportunity to develop improved disease control programs. The research discussed was a first attempt to use a social network approach to better understand factors affecting the transmission of a variety of pathogens, including hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV), in a population of prostitutes, injecting drug users (IDU) and their personal associates in a moderate-sized city (Colorado Springs, CO). Some of the challenges of studying large social networks in epidemiological research are described, some initial results reported and a new view of interconnections in an at risk population provided. Overall, for the first time in epidemiologic research a large number of individuals (over 600) were found connected to each other, directly or indirectly, using a network design. The average distance (along observed social relationships) between persons infected with HIV and susceptible persons was about three steps (3.1) in the core network region. All susceptibles in the core were within seven steps of HIV infection.

Colorado↗

PubMed2003

The relationship between social networks and occupational and self-care functioning in people with psychosis.

BACKGROUND: Relatively few studies have examined relationships between the social networks of people with psychotic disorder and other aspects of their functioning. The aim of this paper is to describe the social networks of people with psychosis and to investigate relationships between social networks and personal and occupational functioning, taking account of illness course. METHODS: A two-phase epidemiological survey of persons with psychosis was conducted in four predominantly urban areas of Australia. A census and screen for psychosis was followed by a semi-structured interview of a stratified random sample of participants to assess their functioning. Data relating to functioning and social networks from 908 individuals (most with a diagnosis of schizophrenia) were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM). RESULTS: The majority of people with psychosis (67 %) had a network comprising of family and friends, 15 % were defined as having a family-dominated network, 11 % a friends-dominated network and 7 % of participants were defined as socially isolated (no family or friends). Participants who had friends and family in their network (12 %) or who had a family-dominated network (7 %) were more likely to be in full-time employment compared with those with a friends-dominated network (4 %) or those who were socially isolated (5 %). Dysfunction in self-care was more frequently reported among socially isolated people (50 %) and those with family-dominated networks (47 %) than among those with friends-dominated networks (35 %) and those who had friends and family in their social network (23 %). SEM revealed a strong association between social integration and functioning (r = 0.71), even after controlling for illness course. Social integration was defined as having contact with family and/or friends and functioning was defined as having employment and no difficulties in self-care. Male gender was associated with poorer self-care, and female gender was slightly, but significantly, associated with a greater likelihood of having friends. CONCLUSION: There is a strong relationship between social networks and functioning after taking account of course of illness. That is, the presence of family and friends is generally associated with better self-care and employment. Interventions that are targeted at improving social relationships are likely to have a positive impact on self-care and occupational functioning (and vice versa).

Employment↗

PubMed2002

Cohesion of the primary social network and sustained service use before the first psychiatric hospitalization.

This study analyzed the relationship between social network dynamics and initial help-seeking behaviors. The primary social network was reconstructed for the period beginning with initial observation of unusual behavior and ending with first psychiatric hospitalization. The social network's influence was analyzed based on the concept of social network cohesion, considering both structure and content of social ties. The results demonstrate that networks succeed in referring the family member to services and in maintaining a clinical follow-up to the degree that they are cohesive. When a network lacks cohesiveness, the onset and development of problem behaviors are less easily recognized. These findings confirm the importance of social and interactional contexts in decision-making processes leading to use of psychiatric services and specify the roles they play.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Does diagnosis matter? Differential effects of 12-step participation and social networks on abstinence.

Previous studies that have examined the effects of specific aspects of 12-step participation and social network composition on abstinence have focused mostly on alcohol-related outcomes and have screened out drug dependent persons. This article explores whether these predictors differentially affect abstinence based on DSM-III-R substance dependence disorder (alcohol dependence, drug dependence, and both alcohol and drug dependence). A heterogeneous community sample of treatment seekers (N=302) randomized to day treatment programs were followed at 6 and 12 months. Bivariate and multivariate regression models were used to test whether engagement in 12-step practices and social network influences to drink or use drugs predicted total abstinence from alcohol and drugs differentially by dependence disorder. Chi-square automatic interaction detector (CHAID) segmentation analyses were then conducted to identify the specific 12-step activities and social network thresholds that best distinguished higher rates of abstinence in each dependence category. Results showed that the number of 12-step meetings attended and number of prescribed 12-step activities engaged in similarly predicted abstinence for alcoholics, drug addicts, and those dependent on both alcohol and drugs. However, specific activities were associated with abstinence differentially by dependence disorder. While many activities differentiated abstinence for drug addicts and those dependent on both alcohol and drugs, for alcoholics only two Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) activities distinguished abstinence (having a sponsor and doing service). Key predictors of abstinence (CHAID) varied by follow-up and dependence disorder, except for doing service in AA and/or Narcotics Anonymous, which was the only specific 12-step activity that was a best predictor of abstinence in all three categories one year following treatment. Thus, "giving back" to one's peer community through service work, an important 12-step belief, seems to be universally valuable later in recovery. As for social network influences, a multivariate regression model showed that having a higher proportion of abstinent individuals in the network was associated with abstinence for alcoholics at 6 months only and for drug dependent persons at 12 months only. CHAID models supported these results and provided specific thresholds for 12-step measures (e.g., >20 meetings for alcoholics, 2 or more nondrinkers in the social network, 3 or more persons supporting reduction for those dependent on both alcohol and drugs, and having 2 or more nondrinkers for those dependent on drugs only). These results support the value of treatment providers prioritizing certain 12-step-related practices and social network changes based on their client dependence profiles. Early on, those with an alcohol diagnosis need to make a commitment to meetings and obtain a sponsor; also, they need to place themselves in a network that encourages sobriety. Early on, those who are drug-dependent-only especially need to become connected with 12-step programs to the extent that they consider themselves a member, and, later, saturate themselves in a highly supportive and predominantly nondrinking environment. Alcohol and drug dependent clients need more intense ongoing 12-step involvement (sponsor and meetings) as well as having nondrinking individuals and people supportive of abstinence in their network. For all clients, doing service is especially important at the longer 12-month posttreatment timeframe.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1982

Social networks and health status: linking theory, research, and practice.

Social support and social networks are among the psychosocial influences of physical and mental wellbeing. This literature review attempts to link the theory, research, and practice relevant to social networks and their association with health status. It is necessary that we extend our intervention strategies to build upon and collaborate with the individual and collective expertise of social networks.

Health Education↗

PubMed1992

Job strain and mortality in elderly men: social network, support, and influence as buffers.

The aim was to investigate whether job strain affects mortality in a representative population of elderly men, and whether social network and social support outside the workplace can buffer the negative health effects of job strain. A higher relative mortality risk (RR) was found among men exposed to job strain (RR = 1.7). The combination of exposure to job strain and seven different measures of weak social network and social support was associated with a further increased RR ranging from 2.1 to 4.6.

Aged↗

PubMed1986

Assessing support and stress in the social networks of chronic patients.

The social support network of deinstitutionalized chronic mentally ill patients can help moderate life stresses and reduce the need for rehospitalization. The authors have developed a list of questions that can be used in assessing the various characteristics of a patient's social network, including the number of people in the network, the types of roles assumed in each relationship, and the nature of behavioral exchanges in each relationship. They believe that research on the social networks of chronic patients may provide information that will lead to more effective intervention.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

The effect of personality disorder on clinical outcome, social networks and adjustment: a controlled clinical trial of psychiatric emergencies.

One hundred psychiatric emergencies presenting to an inner London teaching hospital had formal assessments of psychopathology, personality disorder (using both ICD-10 and the Personality Assessment Schedule), social networks and social functioning before being randomly assigned to a multidisciplinary community-based team (Early Intervention Service (N = 48) or conventional hospital-based psychiatric services (N = 52) and treated for a period of 12 weeks. The ICD-10 classification yielded a higher proportion (50%) of personality disordered patients than the Personality Assessment Schedule (34%) and those from ethnic minorities (mainly Afro-Caribbean) and upper social classes had a lower incidence of personality disorder. Social networks were smaller in personality disordered patients and there were fewer attachment figures. Improvement in social function, and to a lesser extent with depressive symptomatology, was better in patients with no differences were found between the numbers and duration of social contacts in the two services and it is concluded that the better outcome in the community-treated patients was independent of changes in social networks.

Community Mental Health Services↗

PubMed1997

The relationship of social environment, social networks, and health outcomes in the Seattle Longitudinal Study: two analytical approaches.

This study examined the relation of social networks and perceived social environment to health outcomes and cost utilization over a 1-year period in a community sample of 387 (173 males, 214 females). Two analytical strategies, a variable-oriented approach and a subject-oriented approach, were used to complement each other: structural equation modeling assessed the direct relationship between social relationships and health, while cluster analysis examined how social relationship patterns were related to health outcomes. Lower levels of perceived social environment were associated with an increased number of hospital visits. For unmarried individuals, increased age was associated with greater medical usage and estimated total health care cost, while low perceived social environment was related to a greater number of doctor visits. Among married individuals, women had more frequent doctor visits, medication usage, estimated outpatient costs, and primary care visits. Married individuals with low levels of social networks had increased total health care costs, outpatient costs, and primary care visits. Cluster analysis was used to group individuals by characteristics of perceived social environment and social networks. Members of the cluster groups with greater health problems were more likely to be isolated, had the least social contact, and had lower levels of education and income. Including subject-oriented approaches is useful in complementing more popular regression methods for data analysis.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

[A field assessment of a community 'rehabilitation class' for home handicapped persons--focusing on participant social network].

The purpose of this study is to evaluate a community 'Rehabilitation class' for its effectiveness. A function of the 'Rehabilitation class' is the expansion of a participant's social network, and the following hypothesis was formulated: the reciprocal relationships of participant and class or staff members bring about psychological effectiveness and a change of their awareness, resulting in the expansion of social networks. Actual class activity, psychological aspects and social networks of twenty-six participants and twenty care takers, who responded to a questionnaire survey, were examined with respect to the above hypothesis. Those reporting having changed were compared to those reporting no change. The results were as follows: (1) Class activity was directed at developing relationships among participants, and while most of them were changed positively, it appeared that staff members were not sufficiently involved. (2) There were 23 participants in the 'changed' group. Most of their care takers and family were changed positively. Eleven reported receiving significant emotional support from other 'Rehabilitation class' members, and therefore their social networks appeared to have expanded generally. (3) The 'non changed' group consisted of 3 participants whose social networks did not appear to have expanded. (4) Social networks outside the home were not expanded for all participants, probably due to their reported receiving little social support from others outside family members, and because they had few social roles outside the home. Based on the above results, it is concluded that effective classes involve participants individually, and encourage the independent activity of participants, and that it is necessary to have networking with other organizations in community, and the 'Rehabilitation class' should be provided to smaller local regions.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Social networks and cancer screening in four U.S. Hispanic groups.

BACKGROUND: Evidence shows that social relationships play an important role in health and health behavior. We examined the relationship between social networks and cancer screening among four U.S. Hispanic groups. METHODS: We used telephone surveys to collect data in eight U.S. regions that have concentrations of diverse Hispanic-origin populations. We interviewed 8903 Hispanic adults, for a response rate of 83%; analysis was restricted to the 2383 women aged > or =40. As a measure of social integration, we formed a social network index from items on the number of close relatives and friends, frequency of contact, and church membership. We used logistic regression to estimate the effects of social integration on screening, adjusting for sociodemographic factors. RESULTS: Among Mexican, Cuban, and Central-American women, the effect of social integration on mammography screening was slight. The odds ratios (OR) per unit change in social integration category ranged from 1.16 to 1.22 with confidence intervals (CI) that overlapped with the null. For Pap smear screening, the effect was strongest among Mexican-American women (OR=1.44, 95% CI=1.21 to 1.72), but also evident among Central-American women (OR=1.22, 95% CI=0.72 to 2.06) and Cuban women (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 0.81 to 1.93). Among Puerto Rican women, social integration had no effect on either mammography (OR=1.03) or Pap smear screening (OR=1.08). CONCLUSIONS: Independent of socioeconomic factors, social integration appears to influence cancer screening participation of Hispanic women. The modest effect is not universal across Hispanic groups and was stronger for Pap smear than for mammography screening behavior. Researchers should recognize Hispanic group differences in social network characteristics and the potential of social networks to change screening behavior.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Identifying, recruiting, and assessing social networks at high risk for HIV/AIDS: methodology, practice, and a case study in St Petersburg, Russia.

Population segments at highest risk for HIV are often hidden, marginalized, and hard to reach by conventional prevention programmes. This pattern is especially true in Central and Eastern Europe, where major HIV epidemics have recently appeared, where population members do not perceive themselves as belonging to a community, and where there is little precedence for strong community-based organization service programmes. In these circumstances, naturally existing intact social networks still can be targeted by prevention programmes. HIV prevention interventions undertaken with at-risk social networks can establish new group norms, reduce the risk behaviour of network members, and can reach 'hidden' members of a population known personally to leaders of the social networks. This article illustrates a methodology and a practical description for: (1) accessing high-risk social networks in a community population; (2) identifying and enumerating the membership of the social networks; (3) identifying the social leadership of the networks; and (4) establishing the HIV risk behaviour levels of the recruited networks. To illustrate how social network methods can be applied in the field, the article provides case study reports of HIV prevention fieldwork practice targeting high-risk networks of young men who have sex with men and young heterosexual adults in St Petersburg, Russia. Although there is an extensive conceptual literature on the influence of social networks on risk behaviour, this article describes specific and practical techniques that can be in the development of approaches for social network-based interventions.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Widowhood and illness: a comparison of social network characteristics in France, Germany, Japan, and the United States.

This study examined social network characteristics of adults aged 70 to 90 years in relation to widowhood and illness in France, Germany, Japan, and the United States. Participants were drawn from representative samples from each of the 4 countries (total N = 1,331). Resource deficit profiles based on whether respondents were widowed, ill, both, or neither were directly related to social network characteristics for German and Japanese adults, were differentially related by gender and age for French adults, and were not related to social networks of Americans. Country, gender, and age differences in total network size, proportion of close network members, and frequency of contact with network members are reported. Similarities and differences found in the associations between normative late-life deficits and social network characteristics in the 4 countries point to the importance of investigating sociocultural factors that mediate the impact of resource loss and afford life quality in very old age.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Social networks of people with mental retardation in residential settings.

Information was collected on the social networks of 500 adults with mental retardation receiving different types of residential supports. Results indicated that (a) the reported median size of participants' social networks (excluding staff) was 2 people; (b) 83% of participants were reported to have a staff member; 72%, a member of their family; 54%, another person with mental retardation; and 30%, a person who did not fit into any of these categories in their social network; (c) variation in the size and composition of participants' social networks was associated with a range of variables, including the personal characteristics of residents (age, autism, ability, and challenging behavior), the type of previous and current accommodation, staffing ratios, institutional climate, and the implementation of "active support."

Cross-Sectional Studies↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Social networks and marital status predict mortality in older women: prospective evidence from the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures (SOF).

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between social network size and prospective mortality risk among a large sample of older, Caucasian women. METHOD: The study included 7524 Caucasian community-dwelling women, age 65 or older (mean age = 74.1), who participated from four U.S. communities. Study participants completed a protocol that included anthropomorphic and health assessments at baseline and the Lubben Social Network Scale at year 2. We followed participants for an average of 6 years after they had completed the year-2 assessment. We used hospital records and a copy of the participant's official death certificate to document mortality and cause of death in accordance to ICD-9 revision codes. RESULTS: A total of 1451 deaths (19.3% of sample) were observed over follow-up, 215 (3.4%) due to cardiovascular causes. Higher social network scores were a robust predictor of lower multivariate-adjusted mortality (RR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.86-0.98), controlling for age, comorbid disease, body mass, smoking, depression, and education. However, social network benefits were attenuated after controlling for marital status. Married participants showed lower total (RR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.74-0.94) and CVD (RR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.43-0.81) covariate-adjusted death rates compared with unmarried participants. CONCLUSIONS: Social network scores and marriage were each associated with reduced prospective mortality risk among older women. The relationships shown here suggest that much of the protection afforded by larger social networks in older women results from marriage rather than other forms of social relationships. Mechanisms at the physiological or behavioral level explaining social relationship benefits remain important areas for future research.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Command and control in emergency services operations: a social network analysis.

There is increasing interest in the use of social network analysis as a tool to study the performance of teams and organizations. In this paper, processes of command and control in the emergency services are explored from the perspective of social network theory. We report a set of network analyses (comprising visualization, a selection of mathematical metrics, and a discussion of procedures) based on the observation of six emergency service incidents: three fire service operations involving the treatment of hazardous chemicals, and three police operations involving immediate response to emergency calls. The findings are discussed in terms of our attempts to categorize the network structures against a set of extant command and control network archetypes and the relationship between those structures; comments on the qualities the networks display are put into the contexts of the incidents reported. We suggest that social network analysis may have a valuable part to play in the general study of command and control.

Efficiency, Organizational↗

PubMed2004

Emotional intelligence skills for maintaining social networks in healthcare organizations.

For healthcare organizations to survive in these increasingly challenging times, leadership and management must face mounting interpersonal concerns. The authors present the boundaries of internal and external social networks with respect to leadership and managerial functions: Social networks within the organization are stretched by reductions in available resources and structural ambiguity, whereas external social networks are stressed by interorganizational competitive pressures. The authors present the development of emotional intelligence skills in employees as a strategic training objective that can strengthen the internal and external social networks of healthcare organizations. The authors delineate the unique functions of leadership and management with respect to the application of emotional intelligence skills and discuss training and future research implications for emotional intelligence skill sets and social networks.

Emotions↗