Migrant domestic workers (MDWs) are separated from family and at-home support networks while working abroad. This may affect their mental health due to stressors, social isolation and loneliness. Evidence shows mixed results on whether social capital and social support enhance MDWs’ mental health, warranting further investigation. This study assessed how positive and negative dimensions of social network capital are associated with mental health, loneliness and self-rated health among MDWs in Macao SAR, China.

Using respondent-driven sampling, 1,681 MDWs (Filipino n = 1329; Indonesian n = 352) were enrolled. Egocentric name-generating questions captured network size, emotional closeness, social support helpfulness, reciprocity burden and financial support access. Multivariable linear regression examined associations stratified by nationality, and subgroup analysis by network type were examined. To address multiple comparisons across five network capital measures and five outcomes, p-values were adjusted using the Benjamini–Hochberg (BH) false discovery rate procedure.

Network capital characteristics differed across network types. The mean (standard deviation) overall network size was 6.00 (3.77) for Filipino MDWs and 3.69 (2.52) for Indonesian MDWs. Following BH adjustment, among Filipino MDWs, greater social support helpfulness was associated with lower loneliness (Standardized β [Stdβ] = −0.15, Standard error [SE] = 0.02, p < 0.001) and better self-rated health [Stdβ = 0.15, SE = 0.01, p < 0.001]), while higher reciprocity burden was consistently associated with poorer outcomes (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD]: Stdβ = 0.21, SE = 0.63, p < 0.001). Network size was associated with higher mental health symptom scores (Depression: Stdβ = 0.08, SE = 0.04, p = 0.004; Anxiety: Stdβ = 0.08, SE = 0.04, p = 0.003; PTSD: Stdβ = 0.08, SE = 0.11, p = 0.003), but less loneliness (Stdβ = –0.07, SE = 0.01, p = 0.007). Among Indonesian MDWs, reciprocity burden and financial support access showed associations primarily with depression (reciprocity burden: Stdβ = 0.44, SE = 0.60, p < 0.001; financial support: Stdβ = 0.22, SE = 0.97, p = 0.007) and anxiety (reciprocity burden: Stdβ = 0.32, SE = 0.60, p < 0.001; financial support: Stdβ = 0.23, SE = 0.97, p = 0.008) within roommate networks. Most standardized effect sizes were modest (Stdβ < 0.25).

Network capital is associated with mental health, loneliness and self-rated health among MDWs, but patterns differ by nationality and network type. Culturally responsive and context-specific strategies that strengthen supportive ties and reduce network-related burdens may improve MDWs’ health.

We aimed to examine advice interactions among family physicians using social network analysis (SNA) by categorizing advice interaction according to the five advice dimensions.

Inter-individual interactions for information exchange is a powerful tool for the pursuit of solutions to issues. These interactions may involve advice-seeking.

The whole network approach was adopted and face-to-face research was conducted with 139 family physicians. Data were analysed using social network software, UCINET and visualized using the NETDRAW software. To examine the multidimensional advice networks, the frequency, density, reciprocity (dyad) measures were used. The Quadratic Assignment Procedure was used in UCINET to measure the correlations between the dimensions of advice. The Girvan–Newman algorithm was used to examine clustering in the advice network.

Density values in the advice dimensions were very low. This indicates that the network was sparse, with limited interactions among family physicians in terms of giving and receiving advice. The strength of the ties in the dimensions was realized through validation, solutions, problem reformulation, meta-information, and legitimization, respectively. The results showed that the relationships between the dimensions were moderately, positively and significantly correlated. The advice network exhibited high modularity. Family physicians tended to seek advice from colleagues at the family health centers where they worked. We presented a visual representation of advice networks in primary healthcare settings. Identifying multidimensional advice networks through social network analysis can provide insight into how information is disseminated among family physicians. Our findings could contribute to decision makers in developing solution-oriented processes.

Loneliness is a global public health concern that has been widely associated with a variety of mental health impairments. Two dimensions of loneliness have been differentiated, that is, social loneliness (the perceived absence or inadequacy of a broader social network) and emotional loneliness (the perceived absence of a close, intimate relationship or emotional support from a significant person). The present study aimed to test the hypothesis that both dimensions of loneliness are differentially associated with mental health outcomes.

Altogether, 3275 individuals (aged 45.2 ± 15.7 years, 47.9% men), enrolled from the general population, were assessed at two waves spanning 6 to 7 months. Social and emotional loneliness were quantified using the 11-item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale. Social isolation was assessed with the six-item Lubben Social Network Scale, depressive symptoms with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, generalised anxiety with the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7, social anxiety with the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale, and paranoid ideation with the Revised Green et al. Paranoid Thoughts Scale. The data were analysed using a cross-lagged panel network model. Covariates included age, gender, education, employment status, place of residence, monthly income, the history of psychiatric treatment and substance use.

Both dimensions of loneliness were bidirectionally associated and were found to have the highest overall weight of outcoming network connections. Emotional loneliness was bidirectionally and positively associated with all measures of mental health. In turn, social loneliness predicted higher levels of social anxiety but was not associated with other mental health outcomes. It was bidirectionally associated with social isolation.

The findings imply the relevance of differentiating social and emotional dimensions of loneliness in the assessment of its underlying mechanisms and consequences for mental health. Emotional loneliness might show a greater importance in the development of psychopathological symptoms compared to its social dimension.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted daily social interactions, potentially affecting mental health. Understanding the risk of depressive and anxiety symptoms is essential for guiding mental health strategies during future crises.

To explore how social networks influenced mental health outcomes during the pandemic and how these relationships changed over time.

Data from the Omtanke2020 study, a prospective cohort study of Swedish adults, were analysed using structural equation modelling (N = 10 918). Surveys at baseline and follow-up at 6 and 12 months assessed social networks, including structural components (e.g. relationship status, frequency of social contact) and perceived components (e.g. emotional support from family, feeling safe at home). Cross-lagged panel modelling was used to observe changes over time in the associations between social network indicators and depressive and anxiety symptoms.

Stronger perceived social support – specifically closeness to family, perceived warmth or love from others and increased societal cohesion – were negatively correlated with depressive and anxiety symptoms across all time points (β coefficients = −0.14 to −0.23, all P < 0.001). Social network variables consistently predicted mental health outcomes, with effect sizes remaining relatively stable over time (β coefficient = −0.17 at baseline, β coefficient = −0.21 at 1-year follow-up).

This study highlights the protective role of the social network – namely perceived social support – in combatting depressive and anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interventions that strengthen close interpersonal ties and community cohesion may help mitigate mental health impacts during future public health crises.

The complexity and nuance of how social networks shape dietary behaviours and health dynamics remain underexplored, particularly in collectivist societies where family and peer relationships strongly impact health. This study applies social network analysis to examine these dynamics in Singapore.

An online household survey of young adults (age 21–35) and family (21+) assessed the consumption of healthy food groups (fruit, vegetable intake), unhealthy food groups (fast food, snack consumption) and social network characteristics (interaction frequency, emotional closeness, shared meals and perceived health influence). Data were analysed using network analysis, mixed regression models and generalised estimating equations.

Online Singaporean household survey.

Among 116 participants from thirty-six households, 345 unique individuals and 1145 dyadic relationships were identified, with networks averaging 9·7 nodes (sd: 4·7) and 33·2 edges (sd: 27·3). Mutual health influence was strongest in spousal (β = 0·89, 95 % CI: 0·42, 1·35) and intergenerational ties (older-to-younger: β = 0·62, 95 % CI: 0·29, 0·94; younger-to-older: β = 0·36, 95 % CI: 0·03, 0·68) and associated with emotional closeness (β = 0·38, 95 % CI: 0·30, 0·46) and shared meals (β = 0·43, 95 % CI: 0·36, 0·49). Greater family health effort correlated with lower snack (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]: 0·50, 95 % CI: 0·29, 0·85) and fast-food consumption (AOR: 0·41, 95 % CI: 0·22, 0·77), while higher perceived family health associated with increased snack intake (AOR: 3·21, 95 % CI: 1·58, 6·52). Frequent meals with friends associated with lower fast-food intake (AOR: 0·50, 95 % CI: 0·30, 0·84), but no associations with fruit or vegetable intake were found.

Findings highlight intergenerational and spousal ties as key health influencers, particularly through shared meals, and the complex role of social networks in shaping diet. Analyses suggest network-based interventions may be more useful in reducing unhealthy rather than promoting healthy eating behaviours.

Interdisciplinary collaboration is essential for addressing scientific challenges, particularly in integrated fields like mobile health (mHealth), which combines computer communication and medicine to deliver healthcare services. The formation of collaborative relationships in such field is an emerging topic, with conversations among interdisciplinary scholars serving as a critical indicator of relationship development. This study aims to examine the specific effects of different conversation types (research or social oriented) on interdisciplinary collaboration and explore the impact of communication mode.

We tracked conversations among interdisciplinary scholars participating in a 15-day hybrid mHealth training program, which uniquely captures both scholars’ conversation networks and the conversation quality. Three types of conversation networks were recorded (topics about current research, future research, or small talk). Using longitudinal network models, we compared the effect of different types of conversation quality on network formation and evaluated the interaction between conversation quality and communication mode (in-person or online).

We found that the quality of social conversations on non-research-related topics had robust effects in promoting the formation of interdisciplinary communications. In-person communication is more conducive for current and future research conversations, while online communication is valued for small talk.

This study highlights the power of perception of personal conversation in interdisciplinary collaboration formation. The diverse effects of communication mode on different conversation networks are revealed. Our findings offer valuable insights for the event designs of interdisciplinary training program.

Loneliness and social isolation pose significant public health concerns globally, with adverse effects on mental health and well-being. Although the terms are often used interchangeably, loneliness refers to the subjective feeling of lacking social connections, whereas social isolation is the objective absence of social support or networks.

To investigate the prevalence of loneliness and social isolation and their associations with psychiatric disorders.

This study used data from the Republic of Korea National Mental Health Survey 2021, a nationally representative survey. A total of 5511 adults aged 18–79 residing in South Korea participated in the survey. Loneliness and social isolation were assessed using the Loneliness and Social Isolation Scale, whereas psychiatric disorders were evaluated using the Korean version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Multivariate logistic regressions were performed after adjustment for sociodemographic variables.

Among the participants, 11.8% reported experiencing loneliness, 4.3% reported social isolation and 3.4% reported both. Co-occurrence of loneliness and social isolation was significantly associated with psychiatric disorders (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 7.59, 95% CI: 5.48–10.52). Loneliness alone was associated with greater prevalence and higher probability of psychiatric disorders (AOR 3.12, 95% CI: 2.63–3.71), whereas social isolation did not show any significant association (AOR 0.88, 95% CI: 0.64–1.22).

The co-occurrence of loneliness and social isolation is particularly detrimental to mental health. This finding emphasises the need for targeted interventions to promote social connection and reduce feelings of isolation.