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. 1997 Jul:171:15-9.
doi: 10.1192/bjp.171.1.15.

Social networks and service use among representative cases of psychosis in south London

T Becker  1 , G Thornicroft, M Leese, P McCrone, S Johnson, M Albert, D Turner
Affiliations

Social networks and service use among representative cases of psychosis in south London

T Becker et al. Br J Psychiatry. 1997 Jul.

Abstract

Background: Large social networks in patients with severe mental illness have been reported to be associated with a low rate of hospitalisation. We aim to determine whether social network size is related to the likelihood of hospitalisation and the amount of service use.

Method: As part of a prospective controlled study, baseline interview data for a random sample of one-year prevalent cases with non-organic psychosis were analysed with respect to social network characteristics and service use during a six-month period.

Results: The likelihood of hospitalisation decreased with an increase in network size, while the number of services used by patients grew as the social network size increased.

Conclusions: While larger social networks may be associated with a lower likelihood of hospitalization, they may also be related to wider use of non-hospital services.

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