Sunbelt XXXI International Network for Social Network ... - INSNA

Using Social Network Analysis To Map Family Stories Of Autism In An Urban ContextSolomon, Olga; Mary, Lawlor; Fujimoto, Kayo; Poulson, Marie; Yin, Larry; Valente, ThomasSocial Networks and HealthQualitative Approaches, Family, Autism, HealthFRI.PM1In this study we interviewed several families regarding their experiences with autism in an urban context. Family narratives reflect their experiences withgetting information about autism, access to services, and coping with the everyday challenges of having an autistic child. Social Network Analysis (SNA) wasused to map family relations and connectivity to resources concerning diagnosis and services using ego‐centric techniques. Results show that families variedquite considerably in the composition and use of family and friends for accessing the resources to autism diagnosis and services they need after the diagnosis isreceived.Using Social Network Analysis To Understand Household Vulnerability And ResilienceCassidy, Lin; Barnes, GrenvilleSocial Influence and SupportResilience, Adaptive Capacity, Rural Communities, Betweenness Centrality, AfricaSAT.PM1In this paper we examine resilience and vulnerability as two opposite poles of the adaptability of social‐ecological systems. In order for poor, marginal ruralcommunities to adapt to the vagaries of climate change and other more local stresses, they will need to become more resilient. This will entail enhancing thecapacity of communities to cope with ‘shocks’ such as droughts or economic crises without changing their fundamental identity. We analyze a community inrural Botswana to uncover how different households make use of social networks to deal with three major shocks identified by community members ‐ livestockdisease, crop damage, and human disease and death. Habu is a community that has already experienced more than its fair share of shocks, having survivedthe ravages of cattle lung disease (CBPP), HIV‐AIDS, and crop damage due to a burgeoning elephant population in the area. We surveyed 145 households inthe community of Habu using a structured questionnaire that focused on demographics, livelihood strategies and social networks. A measure of resilience wasderived from demographic characteristics and livelihood strategies. Within each of the three shock categories we analyzed social networks relating toinformation, labor, food and money exchange. We used centrality measures (degree and betweenness) as proxies for connectivity and examine therelationship between connectivity and resilience.