Whom Can You Count On? Network Distrust of Physicians During Mental Health Treatment

• In Event: 193 - Regular Session. Decision Making and Trust in Health Care

Abstract

Research has demonstrated the importance of personal networks for health outcomes and treatment experiences, but little is known about the influence of culture on health-related network processes. There is often a presumption, furthermore, that network ties are objectively beneficial sources of support. Drawing on cultural health capital theory, I propose the concept network cultural health capital to designate the health-related cultural resources available in personal networks. Using a sample of patients entering mental health treatment (N=155) and their associated network ties (N=1895), I examine the consequences of network health culture for provision of resources to patients during the early treatment career. Specifically, I use random-intercept logistic regression to predict network tie participation in the treatment process, including health discussion and provision of social support. I find that network ties who distrust doctors are less likely to make positive contributions to patients’ treatment careers. I also find evidence for the “dark side” of networks, in that distrustful ties are more likely to hassle or cause problems for patients. I conclude by discussing implications for theorizing the intersection of networks and culture in health research.

Author

• William R McConnell, Indiana University-Bloomington