Female Social Networks Research Articles

System quality features and continuous usage intention of social network users: a multi-group analysis with gender

Purpose This paper aims to conceptualize a framework drawn upon the self-regulation theory to study the effect of system quality features on the continuous usage intention of social network users. The study explores the relationship among the selected variables and identifies the determinants of continuous usage intention of social networks. Design/methodology/approach A survey method was used to collect data from 301 male and 311 female social network users to test the research model with the help of the structural equation modelling technique. Findings The results show a difference between male and female social media users for the continuous usage intention of social networks. A substantial difference in the relationship was seen between the attitude and continuous usage intention, where female social network users had a more robust and significant relationship than their male counterparts. Originality/value This study uses the self-regulation theory to understand the continuous usage intention of social networks in the Indian context. This research study contributes to the existing literature on social networks/social media and the adoption intention.

Repercussions of patrilocal residence on mothers' social support networks among Tsimane forager-farmers.

While it is commonly thought that patrilocality is associated with worse outcomes for women and their children due to lower social support, few studies have examined whether the structure of female social networks covaries with post-marital residence. Here, we analyse scan sample data collected among Tsimane forager-farmers. We compare the social groups and activity partners of 181 women residing in the same community as their parents, their husband's parents, both or neither. Relative to women living closer to their in-laws, women living closer to their parents are less likely to be alone or solely in the company of their nuclear family (odds ratio (OR): 0.6, 95% CI: 0.3-0.9), and more likely to be observed with others when engaging in food processing and manufacturing of market or household goods, but not other activities. Women are slightly more likely to receive childcare support from outside the nuclear family when they live closer to their parents (OR = 1.8, 95% CI 0.8-3.9). Their social group size and their children's probability of receiving allocare decrease significantly with distance from their parents, but not their in-laws. Our findings highlight the importance of women's proximity to kin, but also indicate that patrilocality per se is not costly to Tsimane women. This article is part of the theme issue 'Cooperation among women: evolutionary and cross-cultural perspectives'.

Thriving together: the benefits of women's social ties for physical, psychological and relationship health.

The relationship between social support and well-being is well established in social psychology, with evidence suggesting that these benefits are especially prominent among women. When faced with an environmental stressor, women are more likely to adopt a tend-and-befriend strategy rather than fight-or-flight. Furthermore, female friendships tend to be higher in self-disclosure and more frequently relied on for social support, which is associated with physical and psychological benefits. Women are also more effective at providing social support, further augmenting those benefits. We begin with an overview of the characteristics of women's social ties and how they can be especially useful in times of stress. We then transition to the benefits of female social networks even in the absence of negative events and incorporate research from health and social psychology to consider the positive implications of having strong social bonds and the negative implications of lacking such bonds. Additionally, we consider cross-cultural differences in tendencies to seek out social support and its subsequent benefits, as well as the need for more research with culturally diverse samples. It remains unclear the extent to which patterns of social support benefits for women vary cross-culturally. This article is part of the theme issue 'Cooperation among women: evolutionary and cross-cultural perspectives'.

Female cooperative labour networks in hunter-gatherers and horticulturalists.

Cooperation in food acquisition is a hallmark of the human species. Given that costs and benefits of cooperation vary among production regimes and work activities, the transition from hunting-and-gathering to agriculture is likely to have reshaped the structure of cooperative subsistence networks. Hunter-gatherers often forage in groups and are generally more interdependent and experience higher short-term food acquisition risk than horticulturalists, suggesting that cooperative labour should be more widespread and frequent for hunter-gatherers. Here we compare female cooperative labour networks of Batek hunter-gatherers of Peninsular Malaysia and Tsimane forager-horticulturalists of Bolivia. We find that Batek foraging results in high daily variation in labour partnerships, facilitating frequent cooperation in diffuse networks comprised of kin and non-kin. By contrast, Tsimane horticulture involves more restricted giving and receiving of labour, confined mostly to spouses and primary or distant kin. Tsimane women also interact with few individuals in the context of hunting/fishing activities and forage mainly with spouses and primary kin. These differences give rise to camp- or village-level networks that are more modular (have more substructure when partitioned) among Tsimane horticulturalists. Our findings suggest that subsistence activities shape the formation and extent of female social networks, particularly with respect to connections with other women and non-kin. We discuss the implications of restricted female labour networks in the context of gender relations, power dynamics and the adoption of farming in humans. This article is part of the theme issue 'Cooperation among women: evolutionary and cross-cultural perspectives'.

Digital health information and female adolescents with turkish migration background

Abstract Background Youth with Turkish migration background (TRMB) are repeatedly classified as a vulnerable group. Digital health information, which is prepared and made available by various providers in a variety of ways, may represent an opportunity to promote the health of these adolescents. Empirical findings on wheter young people have access to digital health information and what role digital health information plays in their everyday lives are hard to find. Methods In the project ELMi, a project of the HLCA Consortium, funded by the BMBF, female adolescents with TRMB were interviewed. Individual interviews as well as a focus group discussion were conducted and evaluated according to the Qualitative Content Analysis. Results Female adolescents with TRMB have technical access to digital health information. They use New Media to obtain health information. When searching for digital health information, it is important for the adolescents to be able to find factual and comprehensibly formulated information quickly. German-language homepages are preferred by them. Parallel to the digital platform they regard female persons from their own social network as contact persons for health questions. They draw on their health-related knowledge and experience in order to be able to obtain answers to their own questions. Conclusions Digital health information and the health-related knowledge and experience of the female social network are considered as a health related resource. German-language electronic information with low-threshold content can represent an opportunity to reach female adolescents with TRMB Key messages • Female adolescents with TRMB demonstrate technical and content access to digital health information. • Digital health information represents an opportunity to reach the target group.

Female leaders' social network structures and managerial performance: The moderating effects of promotional orientation and climate for inclusion.

Leaders' managerial performance is influenced not only by their attributes and leadership styles but also by their social network structures. This study examines the effect of female leaders' in-degree centrality on their managerial performance and how the relationship is moderated by leaders' regulatory focus and workplace climate for inclusion. Hereby, we used survey data of 340 female leaders working in multinational organizations and managerial performance ratings by their supervisors. Results showed that the leaders' in-degree centrality positively related to their managerial performance and that a high climate for inclusion increases this relationship, whereas female leaders' promotional orientation did not. However, when the climate for inclusion was high, female leaders' promotional orientation positively related to managerial performance. This study reveals that female leaders' feeling of inclusion at a workplace complements their promotional orientation and augments the effect of network structures on managerial performance. Our findings provide new prospects for future studies to examine a leader's managerial performance by incorporating social, relational, and structural contexts. This study contributes to women's leadership and social network literature by explaining the boundary conditions that enhance female leaders' managerial performance.

Effect of Infant Presence on Social Networks of Sterilized and Intact Wild Female Balinese Macaques (Macaca fascicularis).

Simple SummaryIn primates, social interactions are significantly influenced by the female reproductive cycle and the presence of infants. In particular, unweaned infants act as amplifiers of social interactions: they facilitate contact between group members while also triggering occasional conflicts. Sterilized females no longer having young offspring could see their social integration modified. We studied intact and recently sterilized wild female long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) to see if infant presence was influencing the females’ place and role in the social group. We used the social network analysis tool to compare grooming and proximity to other females for females in three nursing conditions (with young infant (YI), with old infant (OI), and non-nursing (NN). YI females were less involved in grooming but stayed in closer proximity to other females than OI and NN females. We suggest that YI females keeping proximity to others was a way to maximize their infants’ protection, while avoiding too direct social interactions, such as grooming, to protect them from kidnapping risk. Overall, sterilization did not deteriorate female social integration, at least shortly after the surgery. Further research should track the social status of non-nursing females over a long time period, in aid of making sound population management decisions.Contraception is increasingly used to control wild animal populations. However, as reproductive condition influences social interactions in primates, the absence of new offspring could influence the females’ social integration. We studied two groups of wild macaques (Macaca fascicularis) including females recently sterilized in the Ubud Monkey Forest, Indonesia. We used social network analysis to examine female grooming and proximity networks and investigated the role of infant presence on social centrality and group connectivity, while controlling for the fertility status (sterilized N = 14, intact N = 34). We compared the ego networks of females experiencing different nursing conditions (young infant (YI) vs. old infant (OI) vs. non-nursing (NN) females). YI females were less central in the grooming network than other females while being more central in proximity networks, suggesting they could keep proximity within the group to protect their infant from hazards, while decreasing direct grooming interactions, involving potential risks such as kidnapping. The centrality of sterilized and intact females was similar, except for the proximity network where sterilized females had more partners and a better group connectivity. These results confirm the influence of nursing condition in female macaque social networks and did not show any negative short-term effects of sterilization on social integration.

SNS 여성 이용자의 신체불만족과 식이장애에 미치는 영향요인에 관한 연구: 대상화이론과 사회비교이론을 중심으로

SNS 여성 이용자의 신체불만족과 식이장애에 미치는 영향요인에 관한 연구: 대상화이론과 사회비교이론을 중심으로

Higher sociability leads to lower reproductive success in female kangaroos.

In social mammals, social integration is generally assumed to improve females' reproductive success. Most species demonstrating this relationship exhibit complex forms of social bonds and interactions. However, female eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) exhibit differentiated social relationships, yet do not appear to cooperate directly. It is unclear what the fitness consequences of such sociability could be in species that do not exhibit obvious forms of cooperation. Using 4 years of life history, spatial and social data from a wild population of approximately 200 individually recognizable female eastern grey kangaroos, we tested whether higher levels of sociability are associated with greater reproductive success. Contrary to expectations, we found that the size of a female's social network, her numbers of preferential associations with other females and her group sizes all negatively influenced her reproductive success. These factors influenced the survival of dependent young that had left the pouch rather than those that were still in the pouch. We also show that primiparous females (first-time breeders) were less likely to have surviving young. Our findings suggest that social bonds are not always beneficial for reproductive success in group-living species, and that female kangaroos may experience trade-offs between successfully rearing young and maintaining affiliative relationships.

Gender differences in social network of cognitive function among community-dwelling older adults.

A social network, which is a set of people connected through socially meaningful relationships, is considered protective for neurocognitive disorders. Men and women have been found to have different opportunities for social participation and it is possible social networks do not form the same way. We hypothesized, male and female social networks would have different protective influences on cognitive function. The Korean Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, a cohort study involving health examination and social network survey among adults aged ≥60 years in South Korea was conducted from 2014 to 2015. In total, 501 participants (208 men and 293 women) were included in the study. Through face-to-face sessions, participants were asked to answer questionnaires about general characteristics, depressive symptoms, instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), social activity, cognitive function and social network variables (degree, betweenness, and closeness centrality and brokerage roles). Multiple linear regression models were used to investigate whether cognitive functions of men and women are differently influenced by their social networks, and path analysis was used to find the direct/indirect influence of social networks on cognitive function. Out-degree centrality and social activity scores were positively correlated with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores only in women. In both genders, age and IADL scores were negatively associated with MMSE scores, while educational level was positively correlated. Cognitive function of women was influenced by social activity and the number of members they considered friends. This finding suggests the influence of social networks on cognitive function differ by gender. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 467-473.

Re-writing the domestic role: transnational migrants\u2019 households between informal and formal social protection in Ecuador and in Spain

Ecuadorian migration to Spain can be described as an emblematic case of feminization of international migration. As the scholarship showed, this migration flow has been shaped by transnational female social networks in which different types of capital circulate and which are re-produced across generations, providing social protection for people involved in them, both migrants and non-migrants. Starting from three ethnographic studies conducted with Ecuadorian adults and teenage migrants in Seville and in different Ecuadorian localities between 2004 and 2011, this paper has two aims. First, it investigates the crucial role played by migrant women of the first and second generation to create a safety net for the members of their transnational households, in terms of child and elderly care, combining tactically both informal and formal social protection along the different stages of their migratory projects. Second, adopting an intersectional lens, which looks particularly at the dialectic between gender and generation, it analyses the tensions and conflicts generated by the re-positioning of these women within their transnational households. The paper contributes to the literature through questioning the changing gender role and relations in transnational social protection.

"To speak or not to speak": A qualitative analysis on the attitude and willingness of women to start conversations about voluntary medical male circumcision with their partners in a peri-urban area, South Africa.

IntroductionVoluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) reduces the risk of HIV infection in heterosexual men and has long-term indirect protection for women, yet VMMC uptake in South Africa remains low (49.8%) in men (25–49 years). We explored the attitude and willingness of women to start conversations on VMMC with their sexual partners in a South African peri-urban setting to increase VMMC uptake.MethodsThirty women with median age of 30 years (inter-quartile range 26–33 years) were interviewed in a language of their choice. Key questions included: types of approach to use, gender roles, benefits and barriers to introducing the topic of VMMC, and perceptions of VMMC. Interviews were digitally-recorded, transcribed, and translated. Through a standard iterative process, a codebook was developed (QSR NVIVO 10 software) and inductive thematic analysis applied.ResultsMost women were willing talk to their sexual partners about circumcision, but indicated that the decision to circumcise remained that of their sexual partner. Women felt that they should encourage their partners, show more interest in circumcision, be patient, speak in a caring and respectful tone, choose a correct time when their partner was relaxed and talk in a private space about VMMC. Using magazine/newspaper articles, pamphlets or advertisements were identified as tools that could aid their discussion. Substantial barriers to initiating conversations on VMMC included accusations by partner on infidelity, fear of gender-based violence, cultural restrictions and hesitation to speak to a mature partner about circumcision.ConclusionsWomen need to ensure that before talking to their partner about circumcision, the environment and approach that they use are conducive. Female social network forums could be used to educate women on conversation techniques, skills to use when talking to their partners and how to address communication challenges about circumcision. Involvement of women in VMMC awareness campaigns could encourage circumcision uptake among men.

Ecotourism Development and the Egocentric Network of Female Residents: A Case Study in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

ABSTRACTCommunity-based ecotourism is increasingly recognized as a form of sustainable development designed to promote local livelihood, environmental conservation and culture, and even new social relationships. We combine quantitative and qualitative data to establish a social network of female residents based on an egocentric network perspective for Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. The aims are to determine (1) the change of the scale and structure of the female social network in tourist destinations, (2) the causes of these changes and (3) the benefits of these changes for women in tourist destinations. However, this communication network is not functioning perfectly because actors experience a lack of interdependence.

Female Social Networks: Identifying Better Communication Platforms to Advertise Nonprofit Services in Rural Pakistan

ABSTRACTWomen’s access to nonprofit organizations providing financial and community services is an issue in remote areas of Pakistan. Weak communication of nonprofit services to potential female clientele is a significant barrier to women’s access to nonprofit services. This article examines how personal networks among women in remote areas may improve the information delivery about the women-focused nonprofit projects in Pakistan. The women’s networks also play a critical role in members’ motivating each other to join the services offered by the nonprofit organizations. The study used concepts of network and social capital and current network analysis techniques. Data from three remote locations in Pakistan were analyzed using a 2-mode network analysis, content analysis of nonprofit websites, and face-to-face interviews. UCINET software program identified network routines (centrality measures).The study found that friends, neighbors, and local schools are significant information sources for women. Most information about income-producing projects came from their spouses. Information about social services came from friends, neighbors, or social gatherings. Husbands have high betweenness centrality indicating high power over women’s access to services. Closeness centrality measures indicate that women are not well connected for exchanging information on nonprofit services.

Rapidly developing multimorbidity and disability in older adults: does social background matter?

Multimorbidity is among the most disabling geriatric conditions. In this study, we explored whether a rapid development of multimorbidity potentiates its impact on the functional independence of older adults, and whether different sociodemographic factors play a role beyond the rate of chronic disease accumulation. A random sample of persons aged ≥60 years (n = 2387) from the Swedish National study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen (SNAC-K) was followed over 6 years. The speed of multimorbidity development was estimated as the rate of chronic disease accumulation (linear mixed models) and further dichotomized into the upper versus the three lower rate quartiles. Binomial negative mixed models were used to analyse the association between speed of multimorbidity development and disability (impaired basic and instrumental activities of daily living), expressed as the incidence rate ratio (IRR). The effect of sociodemographic factors, including sex, education, occupation and social network, was investigated. The risk of new activity impairment was higher among participants who developed multimorbidity faster (IRR 2.4, 95% CI 1.9-3.1) compared with those who accumulated diseases more slowly overtime, even after considering the baseline number of chronic conditions. Only female sex (IRR for women vs. men 1.6, 95% CI 1.2-2.0) and social network (IRR for poor vs. rich social network 1.7, 95% CI 1.3-2.2) showed an effect on disability beyond the rate of chronic disease accumulation. Rapidly developing multimorbidity is a negative prognostic factor for disability. However, sociodemographic factors such as sex and social network may determine older adults' reserves of functional ability, helping them to live independently despite the rapid accumulation of chronic conditions.

Women in top management - A social network perspective in German context

Women play a crucial role in top management. However, limited empirical studies in female leadership have investigated the formation and dynamics of female leaders’ networks, and compared them to those of their male colleagues. Building on resource dependency and identification theories, this paper suggests two rationales that underline and explain female leaders’ social network patterns, namely, borrowing social capital and benefiting from homophily. Using German DAX30 interlocking network data (2010 to 2015), this paper confirms the unique pattern of female leaders’ social network, thereby contributing to the ongoing discussion on the female leadership and social network literature. The analysis further showed that women utilize their social networks differently, and are better embedded, than men in the interlocking network. We excluded the possibility that women are well connected only because they serve on big companies. The results also showed that women have more heterogeneous personal networks than men, which supports the self-reinforcing effect of women inclusion strategies. This study therefore guides future research on network dynamics in the design of personal behavior rule, and encourages strategies of gender equality in order to introduce more women in the top management.

Social Network Clustering of Sexual Violence Experienced by Adolescent Girls.

We used data on 3,139 female social network friendship dyads from 3 waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (wave I: 1994-1995; wave II: 1996; and wave IV: 2007-2008) to assess whether friends' reports of experiencing sexual violence (SV) and friends' substance use risk scores predicted whether adolescents and young adults would experience SV themselves. We also used longitudinal analyses to test the associations of combined wave-I and -II risk factors with wave-IV reports of SV and of combined wave-I and -II SV with network connectivity at wave II. After adjustment for a participant's substance use risk score, each 1-point increase in a friend's substance use risk score increased a respondent's odds of experiencing SV by 1.19 (95% confidence interval: 1.03, 1.36). Having a friend who reported SV increased a respondent's odds of reporting SV by 1.95 (95% confidence interval: 1.25, 3.07), although not after we included school-level fixed effects. Having a friend who experienced SV in adolescence did however increase the respondent's odds of reporting SV as a young adult by 1.54 (95% confidence interval: 1.00, 2.37). Respondents who reported SV by wave II had less network connectedness at wave II. Experiences of SV and substance use within adolescent girls' friendship networks are linked to risk for SV into young adulthood, which suggests that network-focused SV prevention and intervention approaches may be warranted.

An investigation into users' information security awareness on social networks in south western Nigeria

Background: Social networks (SNs) offer new and exciting opportunities for interaction among people, cutting across different stratum of the society and providing a ubiquitous mechanism that supports a wide variety of activities. They are at the same time being exploited by criminals to fraudulently obtain information from unsuspecting users. Unfortunately, the seamless communication and semblance of safety assumed by most users make them oblivious to the potential online dangers.Objective: Using quantitative methods on selected social sites, this study empirically examined the information security awareness of SN users in south western Nigeria.Method: A self-designed research instrument was administered for data collection while descriptive and inferential statistics were employed using chi-square, cross-tabulation and t-test for data analysis and result interpretation.Result: Findings from the analysed data suggest that the risk perception vary among male and female SN users and that the general perception of risks regarding SN usage is also very low.Conclusion: Adequate security awareness coupled with detailed legal measures are required to keep SNs secured. However, an individual is duly responsible for the habit of ignoring potential risks posed by the networks.

Navigating the city: internal migration of Oaxacan indigenous women

ABSTRACTThe relationship between migration and gender roles has received increased attention in recent decades but most of the literature has focused on transnational migration while the relationships between transnational and internal migration, and gender roles and internal migration have not been widely studied. In this paper, I analyse internal migration as a ‘transborder experience’. I argue that indigenous women from Zegache who engage in internal migration to Mexico City pose greater challenges to ‘traditional’ gender roles in their community because their experience as single young women navigating Mexico’s capital and their reliance on female social networks allow them to obtain social legitimation by claiming migration experience and courageousness. I contrast migration to Mexico City with transnational migration. Although transnational migration challenges, to some extent, existing gender roles, women from Zegache who migrate transnationally often do so as part of couples and within gendered social networks.

Promoting community-based lifestyle modification and weight management in African American endometrial cancer survivors and their female social network

Promoting community-based lifestyle modification and weight management in African American endometrial cancer survivors and their female social network