Social Networks, Social Support and Psychological Adjustment Among Participants in a Mutual Help Organization for the Mentally Ill

The present research uses social network analysis as a framework in which to study relationships between the structure of the social environment, perceptions of social support and current psychological and social functioning for individuals with a history of severe psychopathology. The sample consisted of 97 men and women seeking participation in a mutual-help organization for individuals with serious mental illness. Respondents completed a self-report interview designed to obtain information about both their total networks (i.e. all persons named by the respondent) and helping networks (i.e. those persons who are specifically seen by the respondent as "helpers") and to determine the relative contribution of each type of network to perceived social support. Respondents were then grouped according to patterns of network characteristics considered simultaneously. Relationship quality and mental health indices were used to distinguish between the groups. The association between self-report network data and data obtained from key network members was also examined.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Stein, Catherine Helene

• Psychology, Clinical

Identifier

(UMI)AAI8721765

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/69691