@article{ref1,
title="Social networks and social interaction among people with psychiatric disabilities-comparison of users of day centres and clubhouses",
journal="Global journal of health science",
year="2017",
author="Hultqvist, Jenny and Markström, Urban and Tjörnstrand, Carina and Eklund, Mona",
volume="9",
number="6",
pages="107-120",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare users of community-based mental health day centres (DCs) and clubhouses in Sweden regarding reported social networks and social interaction and the stability of these over time. A further aim was to investigate social network predictors both cross-sectionally and longitudinally.<br><br>METHODS: People regularly attending DCs (n=128) or clubhouses (n=57) completed questionnaires about social network and social interaction (social engagement and social functioning), self-esteem and socio-demographics at baseline and a nine-month follow-up. <br><br>RESULTS: Perceived social engagement and social functioning did not differ between the groups and remained stable over time. Fewer in the DC reported having a close friend but there was no difference regarding having recently (the past week) seen a friend. When naming &quot;someone with whom you can share your innermost thoughts and feelings&quot;, the DC group named more professional contacts, fewer friends and more often &quot;nobody&quot; compared to the clubhouse group. Finally, on both occasions the DC group scored significantly lower on size of the social network compared to the clubhouse users. Self-esteem and having recently seen a friend could predict size of the social network in the cross-sectional perspective. Strong indicators of belonging to the group with a larger social network at follow-up were being a woman, attending a clubhouse programme and having scored high on social network at baseline.<br><br>CONCLUSION & IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE: Having friends and strengthening one's self-esteem may be essential factors for the social network of people with psychiatric disabilities in a short-term perspective. Visiting clubhouses seems advantageous in a longer-term perspective.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1916-9736",
doi="10.5539/gjhs.v9n6p107",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/gjhs.v9n6p107"
}