The impact of social networks on the wellbeing of single people
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Portsmouth
Department Name: Psychology
Abstract
"ESRC : Jasmine Rollings : 2123967"
The impact of social networks on the wellbeing of single people
Western society has been experiencing a continual growth in the proportion of people who are single. Despite the prevalence of singlehood in today's society, single people continue to experience lower life satisfaction and wellbeing compared to people in relationships. Unfortunately, very little empirical research has been conducted to better understand why single people experience poorer psychological wellbeing outcomes. One important predictor of psychological and physical wellbeing is peoples' access to social support. In fact, supportive social relationships are associated with decreased mortality risk, over and above more conventional health indicators, such as BMI, smoking and drinking behaviour, and immunity. However, research on single peoples' social support networks remains mixed. Single people report better quality relationships with people in their social networks and either comparable or larger social network sizes than people in relationships. Despite this, single people report greater loneliness and lower social support from close others compared to people in relationships. This research project aims to shed light on contexts in which single people may reap the rewards of their social networks and maximise their wellbeing.
Specifically, we will draw on theories about perceived relative deprivation. Perceived relative deprivation refers to a person feeling deprived of something due to comparison with themselves at another time or a comparison group, despite not being objectively deprived. Studies examining relative deprivation in the context of poverty and wealth, have found that if people perceive themselves to be less wealthy compared to those in their neighbourhood (even if they are equally wealthy), they experienced worse physical and mental health outcomes. We will be applying this theory to investigate why single people may perceive a lack of social support, despite having the same - or greater - social networks compared to those in relationships.
I will draw on an existing dataset of Canadian single adults aged 18-68 (N = 408). In this dataset, participants were asked to estimated the percentage of their close social network that is single (vs. in a relationship). Following this, participants completed a daily diary questionnaire for 14 days and reported on their daily perceptions of social support, loneliness, and life satisfaction. Using this data, collected by Dr. Girme of Simon Fraser University, I will examine whether single people who perceive their social networks as being made up of a large proportion of partnered people perceive a lack of social support, and thus poorer wellbeing outcomes. In contrast, I will examine whether single people who perceive their social networks as being made up of a large proportion of single people perceive greater social support, and thus better wellbeing outcomes. Thus, this project aims to shed light on how the composition of single peoples' social networks play an important role in shaping single peoples' perceptions of social support, which are central to determining single peoples' wellbeing. In doing this, the findings from this research will help identify targeted areas for improving the wellbeing of single people.
The impact of social networks on the wellbeing of single people
Western society has been experiencing a continual growth in the proportion of people who are single. Despite the prevalence of singlehood in today's society, single people continue to experience lower life satisfaction and wellbeing compared to people in relationships. Unfortunately, very little empirical research has been conducted to better understand why single people experience poorer psychological wellbeing outcomes. One important predictor of psychological and physical wellbeing is peoples' access to social support. In fact, supportive social relationships are associated with decreased mortality risk, over and above more conventional health indicators, such as BMI, smoking and drinking behaviour, and immunity. However, research on single peoples' social support networks remains mixed. Single people report better quality relationships with people in their social networks and either comparable or larger social network sizes than people in relationships. Despite this, single people report greater loneliness and lower social support from close others compared to people in relationships. This research project aims to shed light on contexts in which single people may reap the rewards of their social networks and maximise their wellbeing.
Specifically, we will draw on theories about perceived relative deprivation. Perceived relative deprivation refers to a person feeling deprived of something due to comparison with themselves at another time or a comparison group, despite not being objectively deprived. Studies examining relative deprivation in the context of poverty and wealth, have found that if people perceive themselves to be less wealthy compared to those in their neighbourhood (even if they are equally wealthy), they experienced worse physical and mental health outcomes. We will be applying this theory to investigate why single people may perceive a lack of social support, despite having the same - or greater - social networks compared to those in relationships.
I will draw on an existing dataset of Canadian single adults aged 18-68 (N = 408). In this dataset, participants were asked to estimated the percentage of their close social network that is single (vs. in a relationship). Following this, participants completed a daily diary questionnaire for 14 days and reported on their daily perceptions of social support, loneliness, and life satisfaction. Using this data, collected by Dr. Girme of Simon Fraser University, I will examine whether single people who perceive their social networks as being made up of a large proportion of partnered people perceive a lack of social support, and thus poorer wellbeing outcomes. In contrast, I will examine whether single people who perceive their social networks as being made up of a large proportion of single people perceive greater social support, and thus better wellbeing outcomes. Thus, this project aims to shed light on how the composition of single peoples' social networks play an important role in shaping single peoples' perceptions of social support, which are central to determining single peoples' wellbeing. In doing this, the findings from this research will help identify targeted areas for improving the wellbeing of single people.
