Chinese Journal of Sociology

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The Effects of Social Networks on Life Satisfaction：A TwoWave Longitudinal Study of Beijing，Shanghai, and Guangdong

  

  1. MA Dan，Department of Sociology，Shanghai University
  • Online:2015-05-20 Published:2015-05-20
  • Contact: MA Dan，Department of Sociology，Shanghai University E-mail:mayidan@shu.edu.cn

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Abstract: Social network is of special significance in Chinese society and the importance of social network in the functioning of individuals has long been noted. This study empirically examines the relationships between various aspects of social network and individual life satisfaction， using data from Chinese family panel studies in Beijing， Shanghai and Guangdong province in 2008 and 2009. The study applies hierarchical linear model and analysis of covariance models.
The size and composition of Chinese New Year Greeting network and the frequency of participation in social networks are examined in this paper. An inverted Ushaped relationship is found between network size and life satisfaction in the random effect regression model, indicating that social network size first increases and then decreases life satisfaction. The results also show that proportion of friends of network, frequency of neighborhood interaction, and frequency of informal social network participation are positively associated with life satisfaction.
Analysis of covariance model is used to test the causal relationships with panel data. The result shows that the increases in Chinese New Year Greeting network size, proportion of friends in the network, and frequency of informal social network participation improve individual life satisfaction. But no evidence proves that an increase in neighborhood interaction can improve the level of life satisfaction.

Key words: social capital , life satisfaction , hierarchical linear model ,  social network , analysis of covariance