Children's social networks and their implications for mental health and well-being

Williamson, Elizabeth

Children's social networks and their implications for mental health and well-being

Thesis / Dissertation

2025

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Department of Psychology

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Abstract

The convoy model of social relations examines social networks as complex and evolving support structures. The exploration of children's social convoys is in its early stages, with limited research investigating how social network characteristics are associated with children's mental health and well-being. The current study aimed to fill this gap by examining the composition of preadolescent South African children's social convoys, as well as the implications of various structural features for mental health and well-being. Cross sectional data from 126 children aged 9- to 12-years-old from five schools across Cape Town and their parents were used in this study. The data were collected using standardised questionnaires and interviews. The findings revealed that children generally nominated parents, siblings, and often grandparents in their inner circles, and placed extended family members, friends, and professionals in the middle and outer circles of their social networks. Correlational and multiple regression analyses indicated that greater inner circle diversity had a positive association with both child- and parent-reported positive affect, and greater contact frequency with friends was negatively associated with total difficulties. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that father absence from the inner circle was associated with more psychological difficulties and a poorer quality of life. Sibling and extended family member presence in the inner circle were associated with more child-reported positive affect, while grandparent presence was associated with more prosocial behaviour. Overall, the findings support both universal and culture-specific trends in children's social network composition, as well as the presence of relationships between specific structural features and mental health and well-being. It is recommended that interventions supporting children's mental health and well-being focus on fostering diverse inner circles by strengthening bonds with fathers and siblings as well as grandparents and extended family members.