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How Friendship Network Characteristics Influence Subjective Well-Being

Van der Horst, Mariska, Coffé, Hilde (2012) How Friendship Network Characteristics Influence Subjective Well-Being. Social Indicators Research, 107 (3). pp. 509-529. ISSN 0303-8300. E-ISSN 1573-0921. (doi:10.1007/s11205-011-9861-2) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:52431)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11205-011-9861-2

Abstract

This article explores how friendship network characteristics influence subjective well-being (SWB). Using data from the 2003 General Social Survey of Canada, three components of the friendship network are differentiated: number of friends, frequency of contact, and heterogeneity of friends. We argue that these characteristics shape SWB through the benefits they bring. Benefits considered are more social trust, less stress, better health, and more social support. Results confirm that higher frequency of contacts and higher number of friends, as well as lower heterogeneity of the friendship network are related to more social trust, less stress, and a better health. Frequency of contact and number of friends, as well as more heterogeneity of the friendship network increase the chance of receiving help from friends. With the exception of receiving help from friends, these benefits are in turn related to higher levels of SWB. Only the frequency of meeting friends face-to-face has a remaining positive direct influence on SWB.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1007/s11205-011-9861-2
Uncontrolled keywords: Friendship network Self-reported health Stress Social support Social trust Subjective well-being
Subjects: H Social Sciences
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research
Depositing User: Mariska van der Horst
Date Deposited: 25 Nov 2015 16:55 UTC
Last Modified: 05 Nov 2024 10:38 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/52431 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Van der Horst, Mariska.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5988-7318
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