Social support and social networks: synthesis and review

Abstract

Social network analysis is a collection of methodological tools that provide a variety of measures and models for describing relationships among social actors embedded in networks of social support. Although methodologists have made great advancements in the area of statistical models for networks, little social support research has moved beyond descriptive measurements of network data. Here we review selected social support literature that has begun to utilize a greater variety of network analyses. We describe and synthesize this literature, then discuss other quantitative tools of use in describing and studying support networks. We also review recent developments in theoretical and applied social support research including research on the role of support networks for persons with HIV/AIDS and older adults. We conclude by discussing the most recently developed statistical models for networks, highlighting their use in a variety of contexts.

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