Importance of social support for mental health of Lithuanian emigrants

Abstract

Objective. This study was intended to evaluate relations between social support and mental health indicators in a sample of Lithuanians emigrants. Methods. A cross-sectional survey using self-report questionnaire (with social networks’ support questions and Mental Health Continuum-Short form) was carried out in group of Lithuanian emigrants from 25 countries. The total sample included 620 respondents (80.2 percent females; mean age 32.2 years). Results. All aspects of Lithuanian emigrants’ mental health (emotional well-being, social well-being, and psychological well-being) were significantly predicted by emotional and instrumental support from social networks. Duration of emigration, size of social networks in the country of emigration as though as gender, age or having a paid work were not related to any aspect of mental health. Still predictive value of all independent variables for mental health were quite low. Conclusion. The results confirm that social support related to social networks of emigrants is important factor for their mental health indicators, but other aspects of emigration should be taken into account in order to have full picture of emigrants’ mental health.