Broadly speaking, social ties are typically considered in terms of structure and content. Structural aspects are reflected in measures of social integration and social networks, whereas positive and negative content is reflected in measures of social support and stress. Social integration refers to the existence and quantity of particular ties and, sometimes, to frequency of contact with those ties (House et al. 1988). Social isolation, the relative absence of social integration, may be a particularly important predictor of adverse health outcomes (Bearman & Moody 2004, Brummett et al. 2001, Seeman et al. 2002). Social networks are characterized by structural linkages between a focal individual and others in his/her network (Bearman & Moody 2004, Smith & Christakis 2008). Social support refers to the emotionally sustaining qualities of relationships, whereas stress refers to the challenges and difficulties that may inhere in relationships (House et al. 1988, Thoits 1995).
