Lifelines Family Ties "Multi-functional ties and well-being in family networks before and after parental divorce"

Family networks are often compared to safety nets because the network resembles a web of linked relationships that can be activated when needed, such as when parents divorce, enabling the mobilization of support ties in the network. However, divorce also inherently changes the structure of the network and family members providing support may become less accessible. As a resilient response, still accessible relationships may start to fulfill multiple functions. This study investigates whether multi-functional family ties, i.e., ties that serve multiple needs simultaneously, are associated with higher well-being and whether multi-functional ties are especially important in families that experienced parental divorce. Next, it is studied whether receiving such ties from nuclear or extended family members contributes to well-being. The multi-actor family network data Lifelines Family Ties are analyzed in which 
in which a total of 160 children, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and stepfamily members from 43 families reported about their current and past family relationships with 524 family members. The results show that receiving multi-functional ties is associated with higher well-being and that receiving them from one’s nuclear family members had a somewhat stronger effect than receiving them from extended family members. Family members from families who experienced parental divorce reported an increase in well-being over time, but this effect cannot be explained by a change in the number of multi-functional ties received. 

3-7 keywords: family networks, multi-functional family relationships; well-being; parental divorce; nuclear/extended kin; safety net; resilience