Table 1 Summary of the key findings from the suite of dyadic and repeated interactions among members of the mental health ecosystem.

From: Quantitative account of social interactions in a mental health care ecosystem: cooperation, trust and collective action

Participants with anxiety display markedly different behavior compared to other diagnostics.

• More likely to opt for the cooperative strategy compared to participants with bipolar disorder.

MWU test p < 0.05.

• Associated with the most positive expectations about the partner’s behavior.

cexp = 0.77 ± 0.08. MWU tests comparisons across diagnostics p < 0.05.

• Show a significantly high frequency of cooperative interactions compared to individuals with bipolar disorder or depression.

c = 0.71 ± 0.08 MWU tests comparisons p < 0.05 and p < 0.1.

• Return significantly less than participants with psychosis or other disorders.

r = 0.37 ± 0.05. MWU test comparisons p < 0.1.

Cooperation depends on the role that actors play in the recovery process.

• Significant differences in the frequency of cooperative interactions across role groups.

KW-RS test, p < 0.05.

• Caregivers contribute with large degrees of cooperativeness and optimism.

c = 0.72 ± 0.05, cexp = 0.65 ± 0.06.

• Relatives are the weak links of the ecosystem.

c = 0.33 ± 0.16, cexp = 0.44 ± 0.18.

Individuals with MD support the cost of collective action.

• MD contribute more than caregivers and non caregivers to the public good.

Independent t-test p < 0.005. Average contributions: 22.95 ± 0.63 MUs, and 20.34 ± 0.68 MUs respectively.

• Groups with half or more MD do better in sustaining cooperation in the first rounds.

Independent t-test p < 0.01.

• Inequality in the distribution of final payoffs is at his maximum in groups where MD constitute half of the group.

Gini coefficient 0.289.

  1. MWU: Mann-Whitney-U, KW-RS: Kruskal-Wallis rank sum, c: cooperation level, cexp: expected cooperation level, r: return ratio in Trust Game, and MUs: monetary units.
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