Social networks, attachments and support in minor affective disorders: a replication

Significant deficiencies in personal social networks and social support in non-psychotic psychiatric out-patients have been reported by Henderson ad his colleagues. In a replication study, 50 non-psychotic psychiatric out-patients were compared with 50 matched controls. Patients reported spending less time in social interaction, but more time in unpleasant interaction during the previous week; they also had fewer attachment figures, close relatives and good friends and fewer social contacts than controls. However, the separate analysis of Neurotic and Retarded depressives (using the Present State Examination) failed to replicate all these findings in the Retarded depressives. It is concluded that these associations are confirmed in neurotic patients, but that the more severe depressive disorders require further investigation.