Mental Health and Desired Social Support: A Four-Wave Panel Study

Abstract

The first aim of this study was to determine whether dissatisfaction with close (attachment) and less close (social integration) relationships was primarily reflected in desiring less or more social support. The second aim was to explore the temporal order of this association using latent variable LISREL analysis. Mental health was assessed by the-30-item General Health Questionnaire and desire for social support by the Interview Schedule for Social Interaction. These variables were measured at four consecutive waves each 4 months apart in a representative sample of 225 adult residents in Canberra. Psychological distress was associated with desiring more rather than less support. The LISREL analyses suggested that while mental health and desired level of attachment were unrelated, poorer previous mental health appeared to subsequently increase desired level of social integration.