What do we mean by “social” in mental health research?

This article presents a methodology designed to study what is considered “social” in research on the topic of mental health. Examining a sample of 289 academic publications, we coded the meanings attributed to “social” and their linkage to mental health. Reflecting on this methodology offers a way to discuss the various uses of the adjective “social,” and highlights the significance of its (often lacking) definition in the construction of research objects. •This article presents a methodology designed to study what is considered “social” in research on the topic of mental health.•Uses a coding grid of the multiple meanings of the word “social” in academic publications.•Suggests that the word “social” functions more as a semantic array than as a signifier.•Propose three semantic axes to clarify what “social” means: externality, causality and function.