Social Network Characteristics

How would you compare and contrast four characteristics of social networks that are used to study social support systems?
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RESPONSE:

1. How would you compare and contrast four characteristics of social networks that are used to study social support systems?

I have did an extensive on-line search and found that not all researchers use the same model of social networks in the study of social support systems.

For example, in one study of social support systems (Haythornthwaite, 1998), the authors drew on the group processes literature for the model. Specifically, she draws on the work of Childambaram and Bostrom (1997). For example, Chidambaram and
Bostrom (1997a) suggest that a ‘well-developed’ [social support system] group has the following characteristics:
(1) Being cohesive,
(2) Managing conflict effectively,
(3) Balancing task and socio-emotional needs,
(4) Communicating effectively, and
(5) Being involved actively …