Social networks and health inequalities: A new perspective for research

Andreas Klärner, Markus Gamper, Sylvia Keim-Klärner, Irene Moor, Holger von der Lippe, Matthias Richter, Nico Vonneilich

Research output: Book/ReportBookpeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

This open access book applies insights from the network perspective in health research to explain the reproduction of health inequalities. It discusses the extant literature in this field that strongly correlates differences in social status with health behaviours and outcomes, and add to this literature by providing a coherent theoretical explanation for the causes of these health inequalities. It also shows that much research is needed on the precise factors and the social and socio-psychological mechanisms that are at play in creating and cementing social inequalities in health behaviours. While social support and social relations have received considerable attention within social and behavioural science research on health inequalities, this book considers the whole network of interpersonal relations, structures and influence mechanisms. This is the perspective of the social network analytical approach which has recently gained much attention in health research. The chapters of thisbook cover state-of-the-art research, open research questions, and perspectives for future research. The book provides network analyses on health inequalities from the perspective of sociology, psychology, and public health and is of interest to a wide range of scholars, students and practitioners trying to understand how health inequalities are reproduced across generations.

Original languageEnglish
PublisherSpringer International Publishing
Number of pages343
ISBN (Electronic)9783030977221
ISBN (Print)9783030977214
DOIs
StatePublished - 21 Jun 2022

Keywords

  • Health inequalities
  • Health psychology
  • Health sociology
  • Open access
  • Social capital
  • Social determinants of Health
  • Social inequalities in Health
  • Social network Analysis
  • Social networks
  • Social status
  • Social support

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