Associations between multidimensional social support and satisfaction with community mental health services: evidence from China with heterogeneity analysis

Background Mental health presents a significant global public health challenge. China is transitioning toward a community-based mental health service model; however, service quality and satisfaction remain constrained by an overreliance on medical-technical solutions and insufficient attention to broader psychosocial factors. The mechanisms through which different dimensions of social support are associated with service satisfaction, and their variation across subgroups, are poorly understood. This study aims to investigate the impact of multidimensional social support on patients with mental disorders (PMD)’ satisfaction with community mental health services (SCMHS) and to examine the heterogeneity of these effects across gender and age groups. Methods Drawing on social support theory, we constructed an analytical framework encompassing emotional, technical, and economic support dimensions. Field survey data were collected from three Chinese cities (Shanghai, Changsha, and Liuzhou) representing eastern, central, and western regions. A probit regression model was employed for empirical analysis, and robustness was tested using propensity score matching (PSM), alternative explanatory variables, and alternative regression models. Results Social support is significantly and positively associated with SCMHS. All three dimensions—emotional (most prominent), technical, and economic support—exhibit significant positive associations. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that: (1) the positive association between social support and SCMHS is stronger for male patients than for females; (2) older adult patients are more strongly associated with economic support, whereas younger groups show stronger associations with emotional and technical support. Conclusion The findings suggest that improving SCMHS may require an integrated support model that combines psychosocial care with medical interventions. Policy interventions should move beyond generalized supply toward precision matching, tailoring services to the specific needs of different demographic subgroups to enhance satisfaction and promote inclusive mental health governance.