Social Support Networks and Recovery from Depression: A Medical Sociological Study of Mental Health Patients in Ikpoba-Okha LGA, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to determine the impact of social support networks on recovery from depression among patients with depression residing in Ikpoba-Okha LGA, Benin City, Edo State. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted to examine the relationship between social support networks and recovery from depression among adults in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Edo State. A total of 200 clinically diagnosed patients with depression were selected through simple random sampling from a population of 450 patients. Data were collected using a structured, validated questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test at a 5% level of significance. Results: Family members, healthcare professionals and religious institutions were the major sources of social support. Social support positively influenced emotional well-being, treatment adherence, confidence and recovery, while community support was relatively low. Major barriers to accessing support included misconceptions about depression, financial constraints, inability to afford medication and stigma. A significant relationship was found between social support and recovery from depression (χ² = 24.56, df = 4, p < 0.001), indicating that stronger social support networks enhance recovery outcomes. Conclusion: The study concludes that strong family, healthcare and religious support significantly enhance recovery from depression, while stigma, financial challenges, limited community support and cultural misconceptions hinder recovery, underscoring the need for comprehensive psychosocial and community-based interventions alongside medical treatment.