68
five alters (15.3% compared to 12.9%), six alters (9.2% compared to
7.4%), eight alters (3.0% compared to 1.7% in the total sample), nine
alters (1.8% compared to 1.1%), and ten or more alters (3.9% compared
to 2.1%). In summary, Switzerland stands out as the country in which we
found more individuals with empty networks. This is consistent with a
more individualized society, in which the values of autonomy and self-
reliance are reinforced by a rather passive welfare state and conservative
social norms, but also with social economic stability, which makes self-
sufficiency a viable option. The Lithuanian data reveal restricted arrange-
ments, mainly with one to three network members and with little size
variation (lowest standard-deviation score). This indicates that their con-
figurations are highly limited to particular ties (as we will see in the next
section) and probably provide less resources. Individuals living in Portugal
have the largest network sizes, which is consistent with a more familialis-
tic culture and is probably linked to stronger functional interdependency
needed to cope with the setbacks of everyday life. On the other hand, the
large dimensions might be associated with a greater diversity and
availability of ties. Therefore, it is important to look at the predominant
types of ties in each country.
Table 3.1 Percentage and frequency of respondents who mentioned different
number of alters
Portugal
(N = 1049)Switzerland
(N = 786)Lithuania
(N = 1000)Total
(N = 2835)
% N % N % N % N
Empty networks 00.5 5 03.9 31 02.5 25 02.2 61
1 alter 07.4 78 08.1 64 13.0 130 09.6 272
2 alters 14.1 148 14.4 113 17.5 175 15.4 436
3 alters 18.7 196 23.5 185 24.6 246 22.1 627
4 alters 19.0 199 22.1 174 16.4 164 18.9 537
5 alters 15.3 161 13.9 109 09.5 95 12.9 365
6 alters 09.2 97 05.9 46 06.6 66 07.4 209
7 alters 07.1 74 02.3 18 09.9 99 06.7 191
8 alters 03.0 31 02.0 16 00.0 0 01.7 47
9 alters 01.8 19 01.4 11 00.0 0 01.1 30
10+ 03.9 41 02.4 19 00.0 0 02.1 60
χ^2 209.34
Notes: p < 0.05; p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001; underlined and bolded numbers
mean the overrepresentation of the category of tie in the country
R. Gouveia et al.