SOCIAL NETWORK CHARACTERISTICS AND NETWORK SATISFACTION OF PEOPLE WITH PSYCHIATRIC DISABILITIES LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY

Abstract

Objectives: To understand the social network characteristics and network satisfaction of people with psychiatric disabilities living in the community in Hong Kong. Method: A modified scale was administered to 251 service users attending 5 Community Mental Health Link (LINK) Services measuring the above variables. Findings: The study suggested that people with psychiatric disabilities living in the community have a small social network. Moreover, network satisfaction is related to network size and physical proximity. The results are discussed in terms of their consistency with overseas findings and the implications for social work practice in network building for people with psychiatric disabilities. Conclusion: The results provided an initial understanding of social network characteristics and network satisfaction of service users receiving LINK service, with particular reference to network size and physical proximity. 目的：探討本地精神病康復者的社交網絡特質及他們對社交網絡的滿意程度。方法： 共251名來自5個「精神健康連網」的服務使用者填寫一份問卷，量度他們的社交網絡特質及對社交網絡的滿意程度。結果： 在社區生活的精神病康復者的社交網絡較小，而他們對社交網絡的滿意程度與其網絡的大小及地域的距離有明顯的關係。研究結果與海外的研究結果一致，爲社會工作實務上提供初步的討論。結論： 研究結果爲探討精神病康復者社交網絡的特質及他們對社交網絡的滿意程度提供初步的了解，更爲研究網絡的大小及地域的距離提供參考。.