The Importance of "Being There": a Qualitative Study of What Veterans with Depression Want in Social Support.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Social connectedness exerts strong influences on health, including major depression and suicide. A major component of social connectedness is having individual relationships with close supports, romantic partners, and other trusted members of one's social network.

Objective

The objective of this study was to understand how individuals' relationships with close supports might be leveraged to improve outcomes for primary care patients with depression and at risk for suicide.

Design

In this qualitative study, we used a semi-structured interview guide to probe patient experiences, views, and preferences related to social support.

Participants

We conducted interviews with 30 primary care patients at a Veterans Health Administration (VA) medical center who

SUBMITTER: Teo AR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7352022 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature