Psychosocial and Career Support from Different Types of Role-Multiplexity in Developmental Relationships

Abstract

Related to role theory's expansion approach, this study focused on how various social roles in one focal person-network member relationship (i.e., multiplexity) relate to the amount of psychosocial and career support. We expected different types of multiplex relationships in comparison to simplex relationships to be positively associated with the support received by the focal person. Via multilevel analysis in M plus, 2995 dyadic relationships of developmental networks nested in 533 persons were analysed. Concerning psychosocial support, a positive association with multiplex relationships from the non-work context, and the combination of work and non-work context could be observed. Multiplex relationships from the work context and multiplex relationships from the work and non-work context were positively associated with career support.

Social Networks in the Work-Nonwork Borderland: Developing an Integrative Model of Cross-Domain Multiplex Relationships

“…Importantly, the most salient and theoretically driven experiences of cross-domain multiplexity occur through the blending of roles (e.g., Ashforth et al, 2000; Barthauer et al, 2018; Clark, 2000; Li & Piezunka, 2020; Verbrugge, 1979) and behavioral interactions (e.g., Clark, 2002). What’s more, many of the other types of tie contents (e.g., flows or similarities) are embedded within, or complement, role relations and behavioral interactions.…”

“…Third, while it is relatively common for studies to examine friendship as one strand of a multiplex tie (e.g., Cotton et al, 2011;Ibarra, 1993;Schinoff et al, 2020;Shah et al, 2017), only a small handful of studies examine the coexistence of nonwork ties (e.g., friendship, family) and work ties through the lens of the work non-work interface (see Ashforth, Kreiner, Fugate, & Johnson, 2001a, 2001bBarthauer et al, 2018;Clark, 2002;Li & Piezunka, 2020). Yet, cross-domain multiplex relationships are qualitatively distinct from other forms of multiplexity because they (1) implicate relational norms, expectations, and hierarchies across both the work and nonwork domains, (2) are uniquely situated in the liminal space between work and nonwork domains, and (3) require intentional management of these norms to maintain stability and balance.…”

“…Despite developments in each stream and their complementary foundations, alongside increased attention to the phenomenon of multiplexity over the past two decades (Ertug et al, 2023; Kuwabara et al, 2010; Methot & Rosado-Solomon, 2020), there is a paucity of research that explicitly addresses cross-domain multiplexity —multifaceted relationships that occupy a blended work–nonwork role space by superimposing work and nonwork roles, interactions, and exchanges (Barthauer et al, 2018). But, we see several reasons to integrate this phenomenon into both the social networks and work-nonwork interface literature more intentionally.…”

Quid pro quo? The benefit of reciprocity, multiplexity, and multireciprocity in early career peer support

“…Considering weighted ties, balance considers the amount of benefits (e.g., support) given versus those received in a relationship. Adam's (Adams 1965) theory of inequity in social exchanges posits that reciprocity requires balance. Under-but also over-benefiting would have negative consequences for the person concerned, resulting in feelings of anger or guilt, respectively (Adams 1965).…”

“…Adam's (Adams 1965) theory of inequity in social exchanges posits that reciprocity requires balance. Under-but also over-benefiting would have negative consequences for the person concerned, resulting in feelings of anger or guilt, respectively (Adams 1965). Additionally, both giving and receiving support comes with psychological costs.…”