社会移動と社会的ネットワーク

キャンベラにおける検証

抄録

　This paper reports a study that investigated effects of occupational mobility on social networks and social support. To gather empirical evidence, a sample survey of women in four study areas of Canberra, Australia was conducted in 1986-1987. Examination of the social context in Canberra led to the hypothesis that downward mobility would tend to have a disruptive influence on interpersonal relationships. This hypothesis guided the data analysis.
　Substantial differences in social relationships were not found according to the categories of occupational status of origin. Furthermore，status of destination only affected some specific types of social relationships (i.e.，frequency of contact with relatives and friends，t he total frequency of contact，and the availability of support from relatives and neighbours). When these two status variables were controlled for，mobility effects were detected in some specific types of social relationships. While extreme upward mobility increased frequency of contact with relatives，extreme downward mobility decreased it. In addition， upward mobility and extreme downward mobility decreased the availability of support from neighbours.
　The findings regarding the effects of social mobility does not support the social context hypothesis. However，this does not mean that mobility effects are absent.Rather，the findings lead us to the alternative hypothesis that because there is an arrower choice of kinship and neighbourhood ties than friendship ties，occupational mobility would tend to have a more disruptive influence on the former two relationships.Whether this hypothesis is correct or not should be the subject of future research.