Perceptions of Social Networks Among Adolescents From Zimbabwe and the United States

Abstract

The focus of this project was a cross-cultural examination of adolescents' perceptions of their social support networks. Adolescents between the ages of 13 and 15 in Zimbabwe (n = 132) and the United States (n = 97) completed the Network of Relationships Inventory. Data indicated that in Zimbabwe, adolescents perceived social support as being supplied by a variety of persons from their social network. In contrast, in the United States, adolescents perceived parents and best friends as providers of most social support. In Zimbabwe, adolescents perceived their network members as providing them with a higher degree of intimacy than was perceived by adolescents from the United States, who perceived their network members as providing them with a higher degree of affection. Bestfriends had a more significant role in the lives of adolescentsfrom the United States than in the lives of their counterparts in Zimbabwe. Gender differences were more pronounced among adolescents from the United States as compared to Zimbabwe. Differences were discussed within the framework of social networks functioning to promote competency within one's culture.