Abstract
This paper empirically examines three propositions which are derived from network theory, particularly the relationship between friends' network and happiness level as a subjective well-being indicator. Using friendship network data obtained from 1985 NORC General Social Survey for the U.S., and from 1993 CIRES Social Survey for Spain, a cross-national comparison between Spain and the U.S. was performed. Results are compared with previous major Davis' and Burt's works for the U.S. It was found that there was a significant, strong association between happiness and friends' network size for both countries, and that there was not a great happiness difference between them. However, close friendship has a contrary effect on happiness when data from both countries are compared. Concerning socioeconomic status, happiness increased with income, although this effect was higher in Spain than in the U.S.
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Financial support for this project was provided by the Department of Sociology, UMA, and University Computer Center. I am indebted to Juan A. Villena and Mary Oliver for helpful comments on early drafts, and to R. Hidalgo for computing assistance.
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Requena, F. Friendship and subjective well-being in Spain: A cross-national comparison with the United States. Soc Indic Res 35, 271–288 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01079161
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01079161