Relational Mechanisms and Health Disparities

• In Event: 50205 - Big Problems, Middle-Range Theories

Abstract

Despite advances in network theories of social disparities, empirical tests of specific relational mechanisms driving intergroup inequality remain relatively rare. We propose a conceptual framework that distinguishes between attribute-first mechanisms (where social attributes shape tie evolution) and network-first mechanisms (where ties shape social attributes). We then apply this framework to analyze health disparities in the case of school friendships and native-immigrant health disparities using longitudinal observations of health and networks in a large U.S. high school (N = 1,028 individuals). We first estimate relational mechanisms for two health outcomes: BMI (for which immigrants have a health advantage relative to native counterparts) and depression (for which immigrants face a health disadvantage). Then, we conduct empirically calibrated simulations that activate or deactivate each mechanism. Our results suggest that network-first mechanisms are critical to changes in health disparities: social influence intensifies the immigrant BMI advantage, whereas network-size-based resilience mitigates the immigrant depression disadvantage. In contrast, attribute-first mechanisms, such as homophily and depression-based withdrawal, do not drive changes to health disparities given the persistence of initial network structures. Our approach highlights the need for differentiating relational mechanisms in studying health disparities, and helps to strengthen micro-macro linkages in networked explanations for inequality.

Authors

• Chen-Shuo Hong, National Taiwan University

• Linda Zhao, University of Chicago