Research in recent years suggests that social contact, social networks and social support are associated with satisfaction and absence of mental disorders in the general population.

This systematic review summarizes research on the effects of interventions in residential areas and neighborhoods to promote social contact, social networks and social support. We included five studies. Three studies came from Norway and two from Canada. All in all, there were about 1150 participants in the studies. There were five different interventions in the five included trials. These were: Participation in a mutual help network for elderly residents in "planned housing" (elderly people whose socioeconomic status is low and who are able to live independently in their own apartment), social network stimulation in a high risk group of middle-aged women, senior center group program for increasing social support, peer counseling for youth and reconstruction of three streets to a 'street-park'.

The report's main message is that it is uncertain whether interventions in residential areas and neighborhoods promote social contacts, social networks and social support. The results suggest that there may be some positive effects but also negative effects of such interventions.

The uncertainty is because the results of the interventions are insufficiently documented for us to draw conclusions about effects. It is important to note that this does not mean that the interventions have no effect, rather, the data are insufficient for us to draw conclusions about the effects of such interventions on social contacts, social networks and social support.

This systematic review indicates that there is a need for more research on the effect of interventions in residential areas and neighborhoods to promote social contacts, social networks and social support in populations.