Purpose: The aim of the present study was to illuminate a theoretical framework about autonomy as a capacity, which takes into consideration both the cognitive functioning of the individual as well as access to social networks. Design and Method: In order to illuminate a theoretical framework about autonomy as a capacity, a quantitative study comprising a dataset of involuntarily and voluntarily admitted patients at acute general psychiatric wards was used. Findings: Respondents who reported meeting friends, family, relatives or acquaintances often had a significant higher functioning in terms of total GAF score compared to respondents who reported meeting friends, family, relatives or acquaintances as seldom or never. Practice Implications: The efforts of nursing care practices to care for and treat severe mental illness may benefit from greater awareness about research on functioning and access to social networks. Such research is a valuable contribution to further develop a theoretical framework about autonomy within the nursing profession.