From graduating college to dealing with health problems, major life changes can disrupt our social world. A forthcoming book, “Personal Networks over the Life Course: Dynamic Perspectives,” which was written by scholars from UC Berkeley and other institutions, examines how and why our relationships change over a lifetime.
The researchers found that major life events can strain or break some relationships. For example, moving to a new country or graduating college can cause people to lose touch with friends. However, most people eventually rebuild their support networks, whether that be by restrengthening connections with family or by forming new friendships.
The researchers also concluded that stronger ties tend to last. For example, even if one moves to a new country, they will likely remain close to their family. Furthermore, people tend to forge new connections to take the place of ones that fade – for instance, by meeting new friends, coworkers or neighbors.
According to UC Berkeley Sociology Professor Claude Fischer, one of the book’s authors, access to resources also plays an important role in how well people maintain relationships. People with financial stability or strong social skills are more likely to replace lost connections or reconnect with previous ones.