Stability of egocentric social networks in children. Personal and functional dynamics across microsystems.

Autor/inn/en	Titze, Karl; Elting, Christian; Sommer-Himmel, Roswitha
Titel	Stability of egocentric social networks in children. Personal and functional dynamics across microsystems.
Quelle	In: Social networks, (2026) 87, S. 1-11 PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Link als defekt meldenVerfügbarkeit
Beigaben	Tabellen; Anhang
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	online; gedruckt; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0378-8733
DOI	10.1016/j.socnet.2026.04.016
Schlagwörter	Peer-Beziehungen; Soziale Beziehung; Familienbeziehungen; Frühpädagogik; Bildungsforschung
Abstract	Highlights: This study is the first to examine both the personal and functional stability of children's egocentric social networks. Family members and relational burdens are more stable in family contexts, whereas resources are often more stable extrafamilially. Children appear to adjust relationships outside the family to maintain and optimize social resources. Both stability and change in social relationships may support social learning, well-being, and network optimization. The SoBeKi-R is a reliable, child-friendly instrument for assessing children's egocentric social networks. Abstract: This study assesses the stability of egocentric social networks in children aged 5-12, focusing on variation across microsystems such as family, school, and leisure, and examining how relationship resources and burdens are associated with stability. The study included 156 children (59% girls) using a structured interview (SoBeKi-R) over two sessions 5-63 days apart. It evaluated the stability of named individuals (personal stability) and the stability of relationship characteristics (functional stability) within these networks and examined how perceived resources and burdens relate to stability. Results indicated that familial relationships were significantly more stable (92%) compared to extrafamilial relationships (61%). Functional stability showed a differentiated pattern: burdens were more stable in family contexts, whereas resources were relatively more stable in extrafamilial settings, suggesting that children may selectively maintain or adjust social relationships in extrafamilial contexts in line with their social needs. Stability in extrafamilial relationships decreased with increasing time between assessments, whereas familial relationships remained largely stable across varying intervals. These findings highlight the complex interplay between stable and evolving relationships in children's social networks, particularly the distinction between personal and functional stability, suggesting that while stable relationships provide important support, changes in relationships may also contribute to the development and maintenance of social resources.
Erfasst von	Externer Selbsteintrag
Update	2026/4