Racial-Ethnic Differences in Social Networks and Perceived Support: Measurement Considerations and Implications for Disparities Research

Authors

Melissa Flores, University of Arizona
John M. Ruiz, University of Arizona
Christian Goans, University of North Texas
Bert N. Uchino, University of Utah
Michiyo Hirai, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
Ruben Tinajero, University of Utah
Timothy W. Smith, University of Utah

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2020

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

Racial-ethnic differences in physical/mental health are well documented as being associated with disparities; however, emerging conceptual models increasingly suggest that group differences in social functioning and organization contribute to these relationships. There is little work examining whether racial-ethnic groups respond similarly to classic measures of social networks and perceived support and whether there are significant between-groups differences on these measures.

METHOD:

A multisite, cross-sectional study of 2,793 non-Hispanic White (NHW), non-Hispanic Black (NHB), and Hispanic participants was conducted using common measures of social networks and perceived support. A confirmatory factor analytic model was used to test for the invariance of factor covariance and mean structures in a three latent constructs model including social network, social provisions, and interpersonal support. Between-group differences in structural and functional support were assessed.

RESULTS:

We established measurement invariance of the latent representations of these measures suggesting that racial-ethnic groups responded comparably. In direct comparisons, Hispanics and NHWs demonstrated similar levels of network structure and support. In contrast, NHWs reported support advantages on a majority of measures compared with NHBs.

CONCLUSIONS:

Findings support the use of these measures across groups and provide initial support for potential differences in this hypothesized mediator of racial-ethnic health disparities.

Comments

© 2020 APA. Original published version available at https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000283

Recommended Citation

Flores, M., Ruiz, J., Goans, C., Uchino, B., Hirai, M., Tinajero, R., & Smith, T. (2020). Racial-Ethnic Differences in Social Networks and Perceived Support: Measurement Considerations and Implications for Disparities Research. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 26(2), 189–199. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000283

First Page

189

Last Page

199

Publication Title

Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology

DOI

10.1037/cdp0000283