Social Support Promoted through Physical Activity Networks

Introduction: Health is influence by social interactions. Relationships produce positive psychosocial outcomes by reducing social isolation and providing social support. To understand how relationships among members of a physical activity network deliver social support, we conducted a social network analysis (SNA) study.

Methods: We identified a group of individuals (n=10) who jointly participate in physical activity. Participants took a survey that collected information about their ties with group members. We used SNA to examine the network structure and social interactions between members.

Results: Duration of relationship, intimacy, and frequency of contact are indicators of tie strength. On average, members in the network had known each other for four years (M=.81 years, SD=1.87 years). The network density, or extent that members were intimately connected, was 1.88 (SD= .82). The majority of members spoke to each other between zero and three times a month (58%), but 13.6% talked to each other ten or more times. A subgroup analysis identified two clusters among the ten member network—one subgroup consisting of four tightly connected members (density=12.5) and another subgroup with six less connected members (density=.733). Lastly, we found that members received an average 36% of emotional/informational support from network members. 

Discussion: Our analyses reveal that members are receiving a sustainable amount of emotional/informational support through their relationships. Tie strength among members was relatively weak, which suggests that while network members know one another, they are not closely connected. However, weak ties can still provide social benefit through the spread of information