The effectiveness of community friendship groups on participant social and mental health: a meta-analysis

Social disconnectedness and isolation are risk factors for poor mental health. Community-based friendship group interventions have been designed to increase an individual's social capital and consequently their mental wellbeing. Structured and unstructured friendship groups reflect two distinct approaches to friendship group interventions.

Citation:
Grishina M, Rooney RM, Millar L, Mann R, Mancini VO. The effectiveness of community friendship groups on participant social and mental health: a meta-analysis. Front Psychol. 2023;14

Keywords:
Social Isolation; community friendship groups; depression; social and mental health; social capital; social connectedness; social support.

Abstract:
Social disconnectedness and isolation are risk factors for poor mental health. Community-based friendship group interventions have been designed to increase an individual's social capital and consequently their mental wellbeing. Structured and unstructured friendship groups reflect two distinct approaches to friendship group interventions.