The importance of social ties in mental health
| Published date | 13 November 2017 |
| Date | 13 November 2017 |
| Pages | 264-270 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-07-2017-0029 |
| Author | Laurie Hare Duke |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Social inclusion |
The importance of social ties in
mental health
Laurie Hare Duke
Abstract
Purpose –Loneliness is associated with a variety of physicaland mental health problems as well as mortality.
In the mental health context, loneliness is sometimes viewed as a symptom of mental disorder rather than a
problem in its own right. The purpose of this paper is to assess the importance of addressing loneliness
amongst mental health service users.
Design/methodology/approach –Narrative overviewof current literatureon lonelinessand health outcomes.
Findings –Loneliness is highly prevalent amongst adults with a variety of different mental health diagnoses in
the UK. Preliminary evidence suggests that loneliness is not a symptom of mental health conditions
themselves, and thus is likely to be either a cause or a consequence of mental ill-health. Lacking good quality
social relationships is a risk factor for a wide range of health problems. The evidence for interventions
targeting loneliness in different populations is lacking. New interventions and further research to tackle
loneliness amongst service users is warranted.
Originality/value –Loneliness has not historically been a key target for intervention within mental health
services. This paper collates the evidence base to provide the foundation for a new wave of interventions to
target the perceived social isolation of service users.
Keywords Loneliness, Mental health, Physical health
Paper type General review
Introduction
Loneliness has recently emerged onto the public health agenda though to date much of the focus
has been upon older adults. The role loneliness plays in the life of people with mental health
problems (of any age) has received less attention. The relationship between loneliness and mental
health is complex and threequestions will be addressed in this review. First, whatis the prevalence
of loneliness (subjective or perceived social isolation) amongst people with mental health problems?
Second, should loneliness to be viewed simply as symptom, cause or consequence of mental
disorder? Third, what is the impact of loneliness upon physical and mental health outcomes? It will
be arguedthat lonelinessis most appropriatelyviewed as both a causeand consequenceof mental
health problems, not as a symptom. Given the high rate of loneliness amongst people with mental
health problems and the negative impact loneliness demonstrates with a wide range of physical and
mental health outcomes, this paper suggests that enhancing social connectedness will be a key
strategy to improve the quality of life of mental health service users.
Background
Humans are social animals and some of our basic needs are thought to be social in nature
(Maslow, 1943; Baumeister and Leary, 1995). Social ties are therefore thought to have a strong
impact upon health and well-being (Berkman and Glass, 2000; Kawachi and Berkman, 2001).
Moreover, social connections and networks of support have been identified as one of the key
components facilitating social inclusion and recovery (Boardman, 2011; Leamy et al., 2011).
Mental health service users often report having fewer social ties (Albert et al., 1998; Pinto, 2006;
Pinfold et al.,2015), a lower sense of belonging than otherpopulation groups (Sargent et al.,2002;
Laurie Hare Duke is a PhD
Student at the Institute of
Mental Health, School of
Medicine, University of
Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
PAGE264
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MENTALHEALTH AND SOCIAL INCLUSION
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VOL. 21 NO. 5 2017, pp. 264-270, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2042-8308 DOI 10.1108/MHSI-07-2017-0029
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