© British Association of Social Workers
The Role of Social Networks in the Maintenance of Schizophrenic Patients
R. D. W. Taylor is Senior Lecturer in Social Work in the Department of Applied Community Studies, Manchester Polytechnic. Dr. P. Huxley is Lecturer in Psychiatric Social Work, Department of Psychiatry, University of Manchester and Hospital Co-ordinator, Psychiatric Social Work, Manchester Social Services Department. Dr. Johnson is Consultant Psychiatrist, University Hospital of South Manchester.
Summary
The levels of social support available to the nearest relatives of a sample of 45 outpatient schizophrenics are measured in terms of both the structure of their social networks and the quality of their network relationships. It is hypothesized that the level of social support available to the closest associate of the schizophrenic patient is linked to the level of functioning found in the patient.
Good social performance in the patient is found with the structural aspects of the nearest relative's social network whereas good clinical performance in the patient is related to the interactional aspects of the relative's network.
The results indicate that a view of maintenance in schizophrenic patients which incorporates both social and clinical functioning needs to consider the structural as well as the interpersonal characteristics of the networks of their closest associates.