Size of the social network versus quality of social support: which is more protective against PTSD?

Jonathan Platt; Katherine M Keyes; Karestan C Koenen

doi:10.1007/s00127-013-0798-4

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Size of the social network versus quality of social support: which is more protective against PTSD?

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Size of the social network versus quality of social support: which is more protective against PTSD?

Jonathan Platt, Katherine M Keyes and Karestan C Koenen

Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology, Vol.49(8), pp.1279-1286

08/2014

DOI: 10.1007/s00127-013-0798-4

PMCID: PMC7864543

PMID: 24310782

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Abstract

Supportive social networks are important to the post-traumatic response process. However, the effects of social network structure may be distinct from the perceived function of those networks. The present study examined the relative importance of role diversity and perceived strength of social support in mitigating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Data were drawn from respondents who report lifetime potentially traumatic events in the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (N = 31,650). The Social Network Index (SNI) was used to measure the diversity of social connections. The Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL-12) was used to measure the perceived availability of social support within the network. Odds of current PTSD were compared among individuals representing four dichotomous types of social support: high diversity/high perceived strength, high diversity/low perceived strength, low diversity/high perceived strength, and low diversity/low perceived strength to examine which type of support is more protective against PTSD. Unadjusted odds of PTSD were 1.59 (95 % CI 1.39-1.82) for those with low versus high perceived support strength, and 1.10 (0.94-1.28) among those with non-diverse versus diverse social networks. Compared to the reference group (high diversity/high perceived strength), the adjusted odds of current PTSD were higher for two groups: low diversity/low perceived strength (OR = 1.62; 1.33-1.99), and low diversity/high perceived strength (OR = 1.57; 1.3-1.91). The high diversity/low perceived strength group had no greater odds of PTSD (OR = 1.02; 0.81-1.28). The diversity of a social network is potentially more protective against PTSD than the perception of strong social support. This suggests that programs, which engage individuals in social groups and activities may effectively attenuate the risk of PTSD. A better understanding of how these networks operate with respect to PTSD prevention and mitigation holds promise for improving psychiatric health.

Adolescent

Adult

Aged

Cross-Sectional Studies

Female

Humans

Interpersonal Relations

Interviews as Topic

Male

Middle Aged

Perception

Social Networking

Social Support

Socioeconomic Factors

Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - psychology

United States - epidemiology

Young Adult

Details

Title: Subtitle: Size of the social network versus quality of social support: which is more protective against PTSD?
Creators: Jonathan Platt - Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA, jmp2198@columbia.edu
Katherine M Keyes
Karestan C Koenen
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology, Vol.49(8), pp.1279-1286
DOI: 10.1007/s00127-013-0798-4
PMID: 24310782
PMCID: PMC7864543
NLM abbreviation: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol
ISSN: 0933-7954
eISSN: 1433-9285
Grant note: K01 AA021511 / NIAAA NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 08/2014
Academic Unit: Epidemiology; Center for Social Science Innovation; Injury Prevention Research Center
Record Identifier: 9984214785202771

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