Social networks of patients with chronic depression: A systematic review

Introduction and aim: The social networks of patients are an important factor for the prognosis of mental disorders and can be potentially targeted through psycho-social interventions. We aimed to explore these networks in patients with chronic depression, by conducting a systematic review on the characteristics of social networks in this patient group.

Methods: Six databases, three key journals and grey literature were searched. Two reviewers screened the articles, assessed the risk of bias and extracted the information needed. Findings were descriptively synthesised.

Results: Nineteen articles met the inclusion criteria reporting the findings of a total of 873 patients with chronic depression. Four papers presented results without a comparison group (six in comparison to a healthy population, eight to patients with non-chronic major depression and three to patients with other mental disorders). Social networks of patients with chronic depression appeared to be smaller than those of healthy individuals, patients with non-chronic major depression and other disorders.

Limitations: Studies used different concepts of chronic depression and inconsistent methodologies for assessing social networks. Only three studies adopted objective measures.

Conclusions: Whilst the evidence on social networks of patients with chronic depression is limited, the networks appear smaller than in most comparison groups, including patients with non-chronic depression.