@article { , title = {Conceptual framework for social connectedness in mental disorders: systematic review and narrative synthesis}, abstract = {Background: Adults with mental disorders are at high risk of loneliness. Loneliness has been implicated in a wide variety of physical and mental health problems. Social connectedness interventions are one means to tackle loneliness but have shown mixed effectiveness. This study aims to: (1) identify existing measures of social connectedness and (2) develop a conceptual framework of social connectedness to inform future measurement and the development of new interventions. Methods: A systematic review of studies from six bibliographic databases was conducted. Studies were included if a quantitative measure of social connectedness was used amongst samples of adults with a mental disorder. Two analyses were conducted: a best evidence synthesis of measurement properties for identified measures and a narrative synthesis of items from these measures. Results: Twenty-eight papers were included, employing 22 different measures. Measurement properties were of poor or unknown quality. Data synthesis identified a five-dimension conceptual framework of social connectedness: Closeness, Identity and common bond, Valued relationships, Involvement and Cared for and accepted (giving the acronym CIVIC). Limitations: The majority of studies were conducted in high-income countries. It was not possible to validate the conceptual framework using the identified psychometric data. Conclusions: This new five-dimension framework of social connectedness in mental disorders provides the theoretical foundation for developing new measures and interventions for social connectedness.}, doi = {10.1016/j.jad.2018.10.359}, issn = {0165-0327}, journal = {Journal of Affective Disorders}, note = {12 mo. embargo. Updated OL 05.11.2018}, pages = {188-199}, publicationstatus = {Published}, publisher = {Elsevier}, url = {https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1203614}, volume = {245}, year = {2019}, author = {Hare Duke, Laurie and Dening, Tom and de Oliveira, Deborah and Milner, Katja and Slade, Mike} }