Social networks have an important effect on health, and social network analysis has become essential for understanding human behavior and vulnerability. Using exponential random graph models (ERGM), this study explores the associations between mental health and network structure (or more specifically, mental health homophily) and the association between poor mental health and social isolation. Two classes of Romanian adolescents aged 12–14 years participated in the study (n = 26 in each class). We assessed school network, sociodemographic covariates, and mental health using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). ERGM was first used to test the presence of sex and mental health homophily and then to test whether mental health was a predictor of social isolation. The results showed homophily patterns regarding sex and mental health. Moreover, participants with a higher SDQ score had a lower probability of a tie. Overall, this study showed how social networks are structured with different forms of homophily and that adolescents with poor mental health are more likely to be social isolates. Thus, prevention and interventions should focus on these vulnerable adolescents. Methodological advances like ERGM constitute a promising avenue for further research.

中文翻译：

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社交网络与心理健康之间的关系

社交网络对健康有重要影响，社交网络分析已成为了解人类行为和脆弱性的必要条件。本研究使用指数随机图模型 (ERGM)，探讨心理健康与网络结构（或更具体地说，心理健康同质性）之间的关联以及心理健康状况不佳与社会孤立之间的关联。两班 12-14 岁的罗马尼亚青少年参加了这项研究（每班 n = 26）。我们使用优势和困难问卷 (SDQ) 评估了学校网络、社会人口统计协变量和心理健康。ERGM 首先用于测试性和心理健康同质性的存在，然后测试心理健康是否是社会孤立的预测因素。结果显示了关于性和心理健康的同质模式。此外，具有较高 SDQ 分数的参与者的平局概率较低。总体而言，这项研究显示了社交网络是如何以不同形式的同质性构建的，心理健康状况不佳的青少年更有可能成为社会孤立者。因此，预防和干预措施应侧重于这些易受伤害的青少年。ERGM 等方法学进步为进一步研究提供了有希望的途径。