27 Review of social network intervention studies 2 INTRODUCTION Mental healthcare incorporates more than treatment of an individual with a mental disorder, especially ifmental problems are chronic and complex (WorldHealthOrganization, 2021). It has been extensively demonstrated that supportive social networks, with personal contacts and ties intended to positively contribute to an individual’s social live or identity, have a protective effect on physical and mental health in general populations (Almquist et al., 2017; Cohen & Wills, 1985; Harandi et al., 2017; Heaney & Israel, 2008; Kawachi & Berkman, 2001; Ozbay et al., 2007). In psychiatric populations, supportive social networks were found to promote mental wellbeing (Pinto, 2006), and mental health recovery (Schön et al., 2009), as well as to reduce depression (George, Blazer, Hughes, & Fowler, 1989), substance use, and criminal behaviors (Knight & Simpson, 1996; Wasserman, Stewart, & Delucchi, 2001). At the same time, social networks of psychiatric patients often consist of lower social support levels, and less reciprocal ties (Clifton, Pilkonis, & McCarty, 2007; Pinto, 2006; ter Haar-Pomp et al., 2015). Therefore, strengthening social environments during mental health treatment, utilizing collaborative approaches targeting supportive social networks and loneliness, could be seen as an important goal in mental healthcare (Giacco et al., 2017; World Health Organization, 2021). However, a more in-depth understanding of the additive effects of social network interventions for psychiatric patients is warranted to examine whether mental health treatments can be further improved. Various types of social network interventions have been developed and identified in previous research, such as clinical or formal interventions, social skills training, support groups, mutual help and self-help groups, community empowerment groups, and volunteer-linking, emphasizing different primary approaches to improve mental health (Andersson, 1998; Biegel et al., 1994; Hogan, Linden, & Najarian, 2002; Perese & Wolf, 2005). Clinical interventions are based on psychotherapeutic and systemic approaches used in professional mental healthcare in which a professional aims to enhance existing supportive social networks. A direct influence of the social network on mental problems of an individual is acknowledged, and therefore, network members are included in treatment to decrease these problems (Andersson, 1998; Cohen & Wills, 1985). Social skills training, often professional-led, is designed to enhance the necessary skills to develop and maintain social relationships by teaching these skills and providing an opportunity to practice skills (Biegel et al., 1994; Hogan et al., 2002). Social skills training is based on the social learning theory, assuming that individuals are able to develop and increase skills to enhance social networks by observing and copying behaviors of others (Bandura & Walters, 1977; Segrin
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