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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 9/2022

Open Access 17-11-2021 | Original Paper

Neighbourhood characteristics and social isolation of people with psychosis: a multi-site cross-sectional study

Authors: Domenico Giacco, James B. Kirkbride, Anna O. Ermakova, Martin Webber, Penny Xanthopoulou, Stefan Priebe

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 9/2022

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Abstract

Purpose

People with psychosis are vulnerable to social isolation, which is associated with worse clinical outcomes. In general populations, people living in areas with higher population density have more social contacts, while those living in more socially deprived and fragmented areas are less satisfied with their relationships. We assessed whether and how neighbourhood factors are associated with social contacts and satisfaction with friendships for people with psychosis.

Methods

We carried out a cross-sectional study including people with psychosis aged 18–65 years in urban and rural sites in England. Population density and social deprivation and fragmentation indexes were described within Lower Level Super Output Areas (LSOA). Their associations with participants’ social contacts and satisfaction with friendships were tested with negative binomial and ordinal regression models, respectively.

Results

We surveyed 511 participants with psychotic disorders. They had a median of two social contacts in the previous week (interquartile range [IQR] = 1–4), and rated satisfaction with friendships as 5 out of 7 (Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life; IQR = 4–6). Higher population density was associated with fewer social contacts (Z-standardised relative risk [RR] = 0.88; 95% CI = 0.79–0.99, p = 0.03), but not with satisfaction with friendships (RR = 1.08; 95% CI = 0.93–1.26, p = 0.31). No associations were found for social contacts or satisfaction with friendships with social deprivation or fragmentation indexes.

Conclusions

Clinicians in urban areas should be aware that their patients with psychosis are more socially isolated when more people live around them, and this could impact their clinical outcomes. These findings may inform housing programmes.
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Metadata
Title
Neighbourhood characteristics and social isolation of people with psychosis: a multi-site cross-sectional study
Authors
Domenico Giacco
James B. Kirkbride
Anna O. Ermakova
Martin Webber
Penny Xanthopoulou
Stefan Priebe
Publication date
17-11-2021
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 9/2022
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-021-02190-x

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