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Abstract

The structure and composition of social support networks were examined in a sample of fifty-seven chronically strained couples. Data were collected with structured interviews and arranged in `support matrices' of network members by support functions, and each network member was individually tagged. Scores representing the size of the overall support networks and the number of support providers in specific functional categories were computed separately for relatives and for friends/acquaintances. Principal component analysis (PCA) with couples as `cases' was used to evaluate common and individual determinants of support networks. In addition, for all categories of support providers the actual overlap between wives' and husbands' networks was computed. The determinants of the overall and specific support networks were largely couple specific, resulting in a considerable similarity of spouses' networks regarding size and composition. However, the sets of confidants of husbands and wives were almost completely disjunctive. Specific sex differences were also found. The results are discussed with respect to the health-promoting functions of marriage.

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Social Support Networks of Chronically Strained Couples: Similarity and Overlap

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