Modelling ambivalent triads in family research

Vera De Bel,Tom A.B Snijders,Eric D Widmer

doi:10.1016/j.ssresearch.2021.102577

Vera De Bel, Tom A.B Snijders + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssresearch.2021.102577

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Abstract

This research focuses on ambivalence in family networks and presents a framework for investigating how triadic configurations, beyond specific dyads, may affect individual outcomes such as well-being. First, the paper introduces the ambivalent triad census, counting the frequencies of 18 non-isomorphic triads in which ties can be positive, negative, or ambivalent, in non-directed networks, and proposes the linear combinations of three theoretical mechanisms (ambivalent balance, diffusion of stress, divide and conquer) predicting how embeddedness in an ambivalent triad may affect individual well-being. Second, the ambivalent triad census is applied to 300 non-directed family networks, 150 stepfamilies and 150 first-time families, in which mothers reported about the relationships with and between family members. Results show that mothers embedded in triads exhibiting more ambivalent balance and less diffusion of stress score higher on social self-esteem. The study emphasizes the importance of studying ambivalence in higher-level relational structures, such as triads, in families.

Highlights

This research focuses on ambivalence in family networks and presents a framework for investigating how triadic configurations, beyond specific dyads, may affect individual outcomes such as well-being
The final model shows a positive significant effect, for the ambivalent balance and diffusion of stress combination (b = 0.115, S.E. = 0.038, p < 0.01 two-sided), which means that mothers who are embedded in a higher proportion of triads exhibiting more ambivalent balance and low diffusion-of-stress score higher on social self-esteem
To predict how individual well-being may depend on embeddedness in family triads, three mechanisms were tested: ambivalent balance, diffusion of stress, and divide and conquer

Summary

Introduction

This research focuses on ambivalence in family networks and presents a framework for investigating how triadic configurations, beyond specific dyads, may affect individual outcomes such as well-being. The ambivalent triad census is applied to 300 non-directed family networks, 150 stepfamilies and 150 first-time families, in which mothers reported about the relationships with and between family members. The paper introduces the ambivalent triad census, counting the frequencies of 18 non-isomorphic triads in which ties can be positive, negative, or ambivalent, in non-directed networks, and proposes the linear combinations of three theoretical mechanisms (ambivalent balance, diffusion of stress, divide and conquer) predicting how embeddedness in an ambivalent triad may affect individual well-being. The first part is methodological and considers non-directed networks in which ties can be positive, negative, or ambivalent For such networks, an ego-centered ambivalent triad census is proposed expressing how individuals (further on referred to as the focal actor or ego) are embedded in the network. Focusing on family networks, three mechanisms are defined, balance, diffusion of stress, and divide and conquer, according to which we may understand how embeddedness in an (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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