Social network size is quantified using standard questions about the number of children, family, and friends each participant has and how often they interact with them. Social network size is the number of these individuals (children, family, and friends) seen at least once a month. In ROS, social network size is based on the number of community members, relatives, and friends seen at least once a month.
Participants are asked the following questions:
- How many living children do you have?
- How many of your children do you see at least once a month?
- Do you see your child at least once a month?
- How many close relatives do you have?
- How many of these close relatives do you usually see at least once a month?
- Do you see your close relative at least once a month?
- How many close friends do you have?
- How many of these close friends do you see at least once a month?
- Do you see your close friend at least once a month?
ROS participants are asked the following questions:
- How many close friends do you have in your community; that is, people that you really feel at ease with; people with whom you can talk about private and personal matters and can call upon for help?
- How many of these close friends do you talk to at least once a month?
- How many relatives do you have that you feel really close to?
- How many of these close relatives do you usually see at least once a month?
- How many close friends do you have?
- Do you see these friends at least once a month?
- How many of your close friends do you see at least once a month?