Relationships Stretched Thin: Social Support Mobilization in Poverty

Lubbers, Miranda J.; García, Hugo Valenzuela; Castaño, Paula Escribano; Molina, José Luis; Casellas, Antònia; Rebollo, Jorge Grau

doi:10.1177/0002716220911913

Cited by 25 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…We anticipated that the networks of those affected by MEH would share similar characteristics with other matched groups of poor [ 13 ] (p. 465) in terms of size (i.e., their personal networks would be smaller than those who are not poor) [ 38 ], homophily (i.e., the individual’s contacts sharing similar socioeconomic situations and statuses) [ 14 ], and temporality [ 15 ]. All these characteristics are present in our cases as well.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some authors have reviewed the use of personal network analysis for measuring access to or the availability of social support through name generators [ 11 , 12 ]. In this vein, Lubbers et al conclude that the support networks of the poor tend to be smaller than those who are not poor [ 13 ], homophilic (i.e., relationships tend to occur between individuals who share a similar socioeconomic status) [ 14 ], and temporary (since they can only provide aid for a limited period) [ 15 ]. We do expect that the personal networks of those affected by MEH would be still smaller [ 16 ], yet most homeless people still have sporadic contact with their families.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Relational Vulnerability of People Experiencing Multiple Exclusion Homelessness (MEH) in Spain

García

Molina

Lubbers

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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This paper draws on research analyzing the emotional and relational impacts of poverty and exclusion on charities’ clients in Spain since the 2008–2009 economic crisis, including people experiencing multiple exclusion homelessness (MEH). The study adopts a mixed-methods approach in which twenty in-depth cases were collected in different geographical locations, including twelve cases experiencing MEH. Unlike other disadvantaged groups, those affected by MEH suffer material shortages, traumatic experiences, psychological disorders, physical illnesses, and a high degree of relational vulnerability, as reflected in the structure and composition of their personal networks, which tend to be smaller in size, with just a few weak and temporary contacts, and with care professionals playing an important role. These charity users often need long-term socio-sanitary care, which challenges public and private health-care systems. Therefore, our contribution to this Special Issue is directed toward improving understanding of the relational characteristics of severely excluded people, how social support affects their personal networks, and the challenges this assistance poses to care services.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Relational Vulnerability of People Experiencing Multiple Exclusion Homelessness (MEH) in Spain

García

Molina

Lubbers

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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“…Even though studies primarily concentrated on ties of material aid, there is still discussion about how other factors intersect those personal networks. Some of those are adversities without control of the ego, which could differ from reciprocity norms (Offer, 2012), stigmatisation (Offer, 2012;Ray et al, 2016), power differentials among people (Lavee, 2016), and even exclusion from family networks (Lubbers et al, 2020). These factors can lead to the inability of older people to reach each other and therefore be socially excluded.…”

Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Life Trajectories on Retirement: Socioeconomic Differences in Social Support Networks

Ruiz¹,

Bellotti

2021

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In general, the literature about social support networks (SSNs) has been divided into two different statements: On the one hand, social support is a safety net that helps the ego confront disadvantages in life. On the other hand, studies have shown how SSNs could act as sources of constraints for ego, especially in poverty. In this study, we looked into the SSNs of older people over time and found how those two paths co‐exist and depend on the socioeconomic status of ego. Then, this article aims to discover how cumulative social inequalities intersect with social networks in facilitating or hampering social support over time, impacting retirement experience. Specifically, we want to observe if and how the life trajectories of older people from different socioeconomic statuses affect how people build their SSNs in terms of structure and composition. This article presents a mixed‐method project that collected qualitative life history interviews from 30 older women and men in Santiago, Chile. The results show that socioeconomic status plays a role in shaping individual experiences of retirement but that these experiences are shaped through SSNs structural and compositional characteristics. People identify salient life events and the relevant networks and conjointly discuss supportive and/or exploitative aspects of their networks. The amount of support they give to others or that they receive from their alters accumulates over time, resulting in a progressive social inclusion or exclusion mechanism. This article concludes that SSNs during retirement are shaped by the ego’s socioeconomic status and life history.

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“…One of the benefits of social capital is the achievement of social support, which can be defined as the "emotional, informational, or practical assistance from significant others, such as family members, friends, or co-workers'' (Thoits, 2010, p. S46). As explained by Lubbers et al (2020b), three mechanisms govern the constitution and functioning of personal networks: the social foci, the homophily (partly induced by social foci), and social norms (obligation, reciprocity, autonomy, and equity). Taking into account these aspects, Lubbers et al (2020b) expected that the support networks of poor people were smaller, resources scarcer, and with norms impeding social support mobilisation.…”

Section: Social Support and Social Exclusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As explained by Lubbers et al (2020b), three mechanisms govern the constitution and functioning of personal networks: the social foci, the homophily (partly induced by social foci), and social norms (obligation, reciprocity, autonomy, and equity). Taking into account these aspects, Lubbers et al (2020b) expected that the support networks of poor people were smaller, resources scarcer, and with norms impeding social support mobilisation. Nevertheless, their qualitative results showed a great variation in network size (some individuals had lost contacts while others frequented new social environments) and in availability of resources, with important help given by acquaintances.…”

Section: Social Support and Social Exclusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Two Sides of the Coin: The Link Between Relational Exclusion and Socioeconomic Exclusion

Luken

García‐Faroldi

2021

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Social capital, derived from the individual embeddedness in a net of personal relationships that gives access to a pool of potential resources, is crucial in understanding how some people experience a higher risk of falling into social exclusion. In this article, we related some compositional and structural factors of egocentered networks to various measures on economic deprivation and social exclusion. We considered different explanatory dimensions: ego’s sociodemographic characteristics and ego’s social capital. Social capital was measured both in terms of expressive and instrumental support, and took into account network size, strong ties density, and alters’ average job prestige, differentiating between inherited and achieved capital, a distinction that has deserved little attention so far. We used data from the Spanish General Social Survey 2013 (N = 5,094), a nationally representative database not applied for similar purposes up to the present. Results show how economic deprivation and social exclusion are associated with ascribed and achieved characteristics, both at the micro level (individual) and the meso level (network). At the micro level, women, immigrants, young people, less‐educated people, the unemployed, and those who do not trust others have higher estimated values on the variables with regards to social disadvantage. At the meso level, social exclusion is associated with lower occupational prestige of achieved relationships, fewer contacts for obtaining economic or medical help (but more contacts for childcare) and smaller non‐kin core discussion networks. In a familistic society with a limited welfare system, results help to disentangle the level of dependence people have on their own social resources.

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Relationships Stretched Thin: Social Support Mobilization in Poverty

Cited by 25 publications

References 45 publications

The Relational Vulnerability of People Experiencing Multiple Exclusion Homelessness (MEH) in Spain

The Relational Vulnerability of People Experiencing Multiple Exclusion Homelessness (MEH) in Spain

The Impact of Life Trajectories on Retirement: Socioeconomic Differences in Social Support Networks

Two Sides of the Coin: The Link Between Relational Exclusion and Socioeconomic Exclusion

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