9 Chapter Social Networks and Social Support Social integration: existence of social ties Social network: web of social relationships that surround individuals o Linkages between people that may or may not provide social support and that may serve functions other than providing support Social support is one of the important functions of social relationships Social capital: certain resources and norms that arise from social networks Dyadic characteristics: characteristics of specific relationships between the focal individual and other people in the network o Structure of social networks can be described in terms of dyadic characteristics and characteristics of the network as a whole o Examples of dyadic characteristics: extent to which resources are given and taken in a relationship, extent of closeness in a relationship o Examples of whole network characteristics: similarity of age, race, socioeconomic status demographics Structural Characteristics of Social Networks o Reciprocity: extent to which resources and support are both given and received o Intensity or strength: extent to which social relationships offer emotional closeness o Complexity: extent to which social relationships serve many functions o Formality: extent to which social relationships exist in organizational/institutional roles o Density: extent to which network members know and interact with each other o Homogeneity: extent to which members are demographically similar o Geographic dispersion: extent to which network members live in close proximity to focal person o Directionality: extent to which members of the dyad share equal power and influence Social networks rise to various social functions: social influence, social control, social undermining, social comparison, companionship, social support Functions of Social Network: o Social capital: resources characterized by norms of reciprocity and social trust o Social influence: process by which thoughts and actions are changed by actions of others o Social undermining: process by which others express negative affect or criticism or hinder one's attainment of goals o Companionship: sharing leisure or other activities with network members o Social support: aid and assistance exchanged through social relationships and interpersonal transactions
Types of Social Support: o Emotional support: expressions of empathy, love, trust, and caring o Instrumental support: tangible aid and services that directly assist a person in need o Informational support: advice, suggestions, and information that a person can use to address problems o Appraisal support: information that is useful for self-evaluation Social support is always intended by the provider of the support to be helpful, distinguishing it from functions other of social networks o Consciously provided, which sets it apart from social influence from observation of behavior o Caring, trust, and respect for each person's right to make choices: this distinguishes social support from other types of social influence that derive from ability to provide or withhold desired resources or approval Broader social network approach has several advantages to focusing on the provision of social support o (1) incorporates functions or characteristics of social relationships other than social support o (2) social support focuses on one relationship, whereas social network approach allows for study of how changes of one relationship affect others o (3) social network approach facilitates the investigation of how structural network characteristics influence the ability Background of the concepts o Social networks and social support do not connote theories: they are concepts that describe structure, process, and functions of social relationships Relationship of social networks and social support to health o Effect of social networks and social support on health (enhance wellbeing) o Effect of social networks and social support on individual coping resources and community resources (can enhance ability to make new connections and identify/solve problems) o Theory of symbolic interactionism: Human behavior is based on meaning that people assign to events--meaning in large part is from social interactions Social network linkages may help them reinterpret events or problems in a more positive and constructive light o Social networks and social support may influence the frequency and duration of exposure to stressors: (find jobs easier, etc) Social network and social support interventions o (1) enhancing existing social network linkages attempt to change attitudes and behaviors of support recipient, provider, or both activities to build skills for effective support mobilization, provision, receipt
enhancing quality of social ties to address specific health issues or provide support across o (2) developing new social network linkages most useful when existing network is small, overburdened, or unable to provide effective support buddy systems, linkages to mentors, self-help groups o (3) enhancing networks through the use of indigenous natural helpers natural helpers: member to whom other network members naturally turn for advice, respected and trusted o (4) enhancing networks at the community level through participatory problem-solving processes identify and resolve community problems identification of overlapping networks within the community, examination of social network characteristics of members of the selected target/need area, community problem solving o or combinations of these