Table 1 Definition of social network terms
From: Structural and functional network characteristics and facility delivery among women in rural Ghana
Social network terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
Network structure | Properties of the relationship among members within a network |
Network Size | Number of members in a network |
Frequency | How often an individual comes in contact with his/her network members |
Proximity | How close network members live to a focal person |
Network function | Resources exchanged among individuals in a network, such as social support and social influence |
Social support | Different kinds of support provided and received by members within a network |
Instrumental support | Aid/assistance provided by network members |
Emotional support | Empathy, care, and understanding provided by network members |
Information | Advice/ suggestions received from network members |
Social influence | Shared norms and behaviors that impact one’s attitudes and behaviors |
Injunctive norms | Perceptions of acceptable behaviors by network members. Members tend to be influenced by and adhere to such behaviors in order to avoid social sanctioning |
Descriptive norms | Perceptions of common behaviors among network members. Individuals tend to adopt behaviors they believe to be normative among their network members. |