Social network indices in the Generations and Gender Survey

Pearl A. Dykstra, Christoph Bühler, Tineke Fokkema, Valentina Hlebec, Gregor Petrič, Rok Platinovšek and Tina Kogovšek
Additional contact information
Pearl A. Dykstra: Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam
Christoph Bühler: Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover
Tineke Fokkema: Nederlands Interdisciplinair Demografisch Instituut (NIDI)
Valentina Hlebec: Univerza v Ljubljani
Gregor Petrič: Univerza v Ljubljani
Rok Platinovšek: Univerza v Ljubljani
Tina Kogovšek: Univerza v Ljubljani

Demographic Research, 2016, vol. 34, issue 35, 995-1036

Abstract: Background: In this contribution we critically appraise the social network indices in the Generations and Gender Survey (GGS). Objective: After discussing the rationale for including social network indices in the GGS, we provide descriptive information on social network characteristics and an overview of substantive questions that have been addressed using GGS social network data: antecedents and consequences of demographic behaviour, care, and differences in well-being. We identify topics that have received relatively little attention in GGS research so far, despite the availability of novel and appropriate social network data. We end with a discussion of what is unique about the social network indices in the GGS. Methods: The descriptive information on social network characteristics is based on empirical analyses of GGS data, and an experimental pilot study. The overview of GGS research using social network indices is based on a library search. The identification of what is unique about the social network indices in the GGS is based on a comparison with the European Quality of Life Survey (EQLS), the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement (SHARE), and the International Social Survey Program (ISSP). Results: Results show a high representation of family members in the social networks, and confirm the adequacy of using a cap of five names for network-generating questions. GGS research using the social network indices has largely focused on determinants of fertility behaviour, intergenerational linkages in families, and downward care transfers. Conclusions: Topics that have received relatively little attention are demographic behaviours other than those related to parenthood, upward transfers of practical support, ties with siblings, and stepfamily ties. Social network indices in the GGS show a high degree of overlap with those in other international surveys. The unique features are the inventory of family ties ever born and still living, and the assessment of network members’ normative expectations. The GGS holds a wealth of social network data that warrants a myriad of future investigations.

Keywords: social network; methodology; social support; Generations and Gender Survey (GGS); name generators (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J1 Z0 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:dem:demres:v:34:y:2016:i:35

DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2016.34.35

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