THE RELATIONSHIP OF SOCIAL NETWORK CHARACTERISTICS TO THE PERFORMANCE OF SELF-CARE BY THE CHRONICALLY MENTALLY ILL ADULT IN THE COMMUNITY.
Contributors: University of California, San Francisco.
Published: 1986
Number of pages: 238
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: This study described the social network characteristics and the performance of self-care by the chronically mentally ill adult in the community. Further, the study explored the relationship between these variables. Orem's Self-care Model was a useful framework for the study.

The methodology used was both descriptive and correlational. Data were collected using questionnaires including a Demographic Data Sheet, the Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire, the Social Relationship Scale, the Level of Rehabilitation Scale, and two subscales of the Katz Adjustment Scales--the Level of Expectations of Socially-expected Activities, and the Level of Performance of Socially-expected Activities. The data were analyzed using quantitative techniques.

The subjects of the study were a homogeneous group of 15 chronically mentally ill adults, ages 20 to 45, with diagnoses of schizophrenia, affective disorder or borderline personality.

The findings showed that the networks of the male subjects were significantly smaller with respect to the Total Network (composite of size, duration, and frequency of contact) than the comparison group. This was not true for the female subjects whose networks were comparable to those of the comparison group. The pattern of interaction that emerged was that subjects had significantly more multiplex relationships, and significantly fewer reciprocal relationships, than the comparison group. Family and friends were the two major sources of support, with female subjects listing more additional sources of support.

The self-care pattern observed was that subjects performed "activities of daily living" most proficiently, but were somewhat deficient in the areas of social activities. Subjects' self-care improved over time.

With respect to interactional and qualitative network characteristics, satisfaction with network relationships, reciprocity and helpfulness were all significantly correlated with different subscales of the self-care measure, including cognition and home activities, activities of daily living and social activities.

The study documents that chronically mentally ill adults do not live in isolation though their networks tend to be smaller, and as having more multiplex, but fewer reciprocal, relationships. They can and do maintain self-care activities in the community. Furthermore, satisfaction with network relationships, reciprocity and perceived helpfulness of the network may be more important than size.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 47-06, Section: B, page: 2377.

Thesis (D.N.S.)--UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO, 1986.

School code: 0034.