Social network characteristics and well-being in Italy: insights from the PHRASI Study

• Published in: Annali di igiene Vol. 36; no. 2; p. 169
• Main Authors: Berselli, Nausicaa, Caminiti, Marta, Ancona, Angela, Stacchini, Lorenzo, Gallinoro, Veronica, Catalini, Alessandro, Cosma, Claudia, De Nicolò, Valentina, Mazza, Clara, Minutolo, Giuseppa, Cedrone, Fabrizio, Gianfredi, Vincenza
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Italy 01.03.2024
• Subjects: Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Italy; Public Health; Social Networking; Social Support; Surveys and Questionnaires; Italy; Social networking; cross-sectional study; well-being; mental health; Public Health; healthcare personnel
• ISSN: 1120-9135
• DOI: 10.7416/ai.2024.2598

Mental well-being should be prioritized in public health as it represents a valuable resource for individuals and communities, influencing behavior, social cohesion and social inclusion. The support individuals receive from their social networks can have a significant impact on mental well-being. This study used data from the Public Health Residents' Anonymous Survey in Italy, a nationwide cross-sectional survey. The objective was to assess the level of well-being among the Public Health Residents and investigate the association between the social network characteristics and the well-being in this population. The current cross-sectional study targeted 1,600 public health residents enrolled in various Italian public health specialization schools between June 14 and July 26, 2022. Participants self-reported both functional and structural characteristics of social network. Well-being was assessed using the WHO-5 well-being index. Linear regression models, adjusted for age and sex, were applied to examine the association between WHO-5 score and social network characteristics. Out of 379 participants, 51.5% reported bad well-being. Those with bad well-being are more likely women, experience lower peer-to-peer and supervisor support, face higher work-to-private life interference, and less frequently have a partner. Greater peer-to-peer support (β=1.13, 95% CI=0.68; 1.57), and increased supervisor support (β=1.26, 95% CI=0.86; 1.67), were associated with higher levels of well-being. Conversely, higher work-to-private life interference was associated with lower perceived well-being. Having a partner resulted in a better perceived well-being (β=1.96, 95% CI=0.94; 2.98). In logistic regression analysis, higher peer-to-peer support (OR=0.68, 95% CI = 0.55;0.85) greater supervisor support (OR=0.60, 95% CI=0.49;0.74) and having a partner (OR=0.51, 95% CI = 0.32;0.82) were associated with reduced odds of bad well-being. Conversely, increased WLI was associated with higher odds of bad well-being (OR=1.47, 95% CI = 1.19;1.82). The characteristics of an individual's social network play a crucial role in her/his well-being and should be considered both in personal and professional contexts when aimed to enhance mental well-being in communities.