Miranda J. Lubbers

Longitudinal analysis of personal networks : the case of Argentinean migrants in Spain

This paper discusses and illustrates various approaches for the longitudinal analysis of personal networks (multilevel analysis, regression analysis, and SIENA). We combined the different types of analyses in a study of the changing personal networks of immigrants. Data were obtained from 25 Argentineans in Spain, who were interviewed twice in a 2-year interval. Qualitative interviews were used to estimate the amount of measurement error and to isolate important predictors. Quantitative analyses showed that the persistence of ties was explained by tie strength, network density, and alters’ country of origin and residence. Furthermore, transitivity appeared to be an important tendency, both for acquiring new contacts and for the relationships among alters. At the network level, immigrants’ networks were remarkably stable in composition and structure despite the high turnover. Clustered graphs have been used to illustrate the results. The results are discussed in light of adaptation to the host society.

A comparison of various approaches to the exponential random graph model : A reanalysis of 102 student networks in school classes

This paper describes an empirical comparison of four specifications of the exponential family of random graph models (ERGM), distinguished by model specification (dyadic independence, Markov, partial conditional dependence) and, for the Markov model, by estimation method (Maximum Pseudolikelihood, Maximum Likelihood). This was done by reanalyzing 102 student networks in 57 junior high school classes. At the level of all classes combined, earlier substantive conclusions were supported by all specifications. However, the different specifications led to different conclusions for individual classes. PL produced unreliable estimates (when ML is regarded as the standard) and had more convergence problems than ML. Furthermore, the estimates of covariate effects were affected considerably by controlling for network structure, although the precise specification of the structural part (Markov or partial conditional dependence) mattered less.

Personal Networks and Ethnic Identifications The Case of Migrants in Spain

This article investigates whether personal networks influenced ethnic self-identifications of migrants in Spain. During the years 2004—6, data were collected about personal networks of migrants in Spain (N = 294) through a questionnaire and a structured interview. The networks were classified into five network profiles on the basis of both variables about structure (e.g. density, betweenness and number of cohesive subgroups) and composition (e.g. country of origin and percentage of family members). Profiles were related to the different ways in which migrants identified themselves. Personal networks in which network members, mostly family and people from the country of origin, formed one dense cluster were associated with ethnic exclusive self-identifications, whereas more heterogeneous personal networks tended to exhibit more plural definitions of belonging. The results show that both individual and network characteristics contribute to an understanding of ethnic self-identification.

Group composition and network structure in school classes

This paper describes the structure of social networks of students within school classes and examines differences in network structure between classes. In order to examine the network structure within school classes, we focused in particular on the principle of homophily, i.e. the tendency that people associate with similar others. When differences between classes were observed, it was investigated whether these were related to group compositional characteristics. A two-stage regression procedure is proposed to analyze social networks of multiple groups. The random coefficient model is discussed briefly as an alternative to the two-stage method.

Visual Statistics for Collections of Clustered Graphs

We propose a method to visually summarize collections of networks on which a clustering of the vertices is given. Our method allows for efficient comparison of individual networks, as well as for visualizing the average composition and structure of a set of networks. As a concrete application we analyze a set of several hundred personal networks of migrants. On the individual level the network images provide visual hints for assessing the mode of acculturation of the respondent. On the population level they show how cultural integration varies with specific characteristics of the migrants such as country of origin, years of residence, or skin color.

Predicting Peer Acceptance in Dutch Youth A Multilevel Analysis

This article uses an ecological approach to predict students’ peer acceptance within junior high school classes. The authors investigate whether various characteristics (self-perception of physical attractiveness and athletic competence, cognitive ability, agreeableness, extraversion, age, parents’ education, number of siblings, siblings at same school, parental control, percentage of classmates who attended the same primary school, ethnicity) predict peer acceptance and whether effects are consistent across classes. Participants are 6,847 students (±13 years) from 461 classes in the Netherlands. Girls’ and boys’ data are analyzed separately using multilevel analyses. Extraversion and the percentage of classmates from the same primary school are the strongest predictors of peer acceptance for boys and girls. Smaller effects are observed for self-perception of athletic competence (boys and girls), agreeableness (girls), and ethnicity (boys). The effects are consistent across classes. The need for more complex models of peer acceptance is discussed.

Personality as a Moderator of Context Effects on Academic Achievement.

We investigated whether personality moderates group influence of classmates on academic achievement and whether these so-called context effects can be attributed to peer pressure. The sample consisted of 2498 students in their first year of Dutch secondary education. The data were analyzed by a two-level (students within classes) analysis, separately for boys (n=1033, in 92 classes) and girls (n=1465, in 119 classes). For both sexes, we found a context effect on Dutch language achievement but not on mathematics achievement. Emotional Stability appeared a moderator of this context effect but for girls only. The results suggest further that peer pressure is not a likely mechanism of group influence of classmates on academic achievement.

Contesting the Nexus between Intermarriage and Integration Findings from a Multi-dimensional Study in Spain

This article examines the nexus between intermarriage and sociocultural dimensions of the integration of immigrants in Spain. The data presented draw on ninety-four in-depth interviews conducted with immigrants of seven different origins in exogamous (mixed) and endogamous (same-origin) unions in Catalonia, the region with the highest rate of immigration and ethno-racial diversity in Spain. We apply a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative analyses. We find that the relationship between intermarriage and integration is complex and multidirectional: intermarriage has a direct effect on some dimensions of integration (e.g., the expansion and diversification of personal/social networks) but has no relationship (e.g., for identification with the society of destination) or a bidirectional relationship (e.g., for the learning of official languages) for others. Furthermore, we find that the outcomes are context-dependent and may be moderated by factors such as country of origin or gender. In sum, our results suggest a much more nuanced picture of the nexus between intermarriage and integration than has traditionally been theorized.

The missing link: Social network analysis in migration and transnationalism

Abstract The focus on social networks in migration studies marked a significant departure of understanding. Social networks are not only a mechanism through which the migration process is patterned, but they also have broader implications for migrants and non-migrants alike. Despite the fact that the network character of migration processes has long been recognized in migration studies, for a long time, Social Network Analysis has not been applied. Taking this scholarly omission as a starting point, we seek in this special issue to discuss recent research into social networks and migration that use SNA approaches.

Bulgarian Migrants in Spain: Social Networks, Patterns of Transnationality, Community Dynamics and Cultural Change in Catalonia (Northeastern Spain) 1

We analyze the Bulgarian migrant social networks in two localities (Roses and Barcelona) of Northeastern Spain (Catalonia), in order to determine the sociodemographic profile of Bulgarian migrants in these localities and assess the different patterns of adaptation (which means selective cultural changes to fit better with dominant practices) and community dynamics developed in each place. The methodology used is the structured interview supported by an open-source program (EgoNet) for collecting personal network data, along with participant observation and in-depth interviews. In addition, Bulgarian migrant associations and entities in Spain have been identified as a part of the global pattern of adaptation of this group. We show that local context matters for the type of adaptation of migrants. Therefore, in small contexts it is possible to form part of a denser and more homogeneous ethnic network, having at the same time a similar proportion of Catalan-Spaniard contacts as in larger towns. Small contexts favor segmented (or dual) adaptation to the host society. This adaptation manifests important and substantial differences between the public sphere (visible to the host society) and the private sphere (family life and close friends).