The Differential Nature of Weak Ties - Race Differences in Adults' Daily Interactions with Others - abstract

Sep 29, 2026

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Research emphasizes that interactions with weak ties can support well-being, yet structural, cultural, and individual-level racism may shape how racially minoritized adults relate to others, especially outside their network. Using ecological momentary assessment and hierarchical network mapping in the SWEL study (N=168), participants reported daily encounters and their valence (positive, negative, ambivalent). Results showed 36.6% of interactions occurred outside the network and race did not change close versus weak tie proportions. For Black Americans, weak ties related to fewer positive and more ambivalent interactions, with follow-up addressing discrimination as a mechanism. Context matters for understanding daily interaction effects.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

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Abstract

Study design and data

Measures of interaction types and valence

Key results by race

Mechanism and implications

Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 887 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.2999 THE DIFFERENTIAL NATURE OF WEAK TIES: RACE DIFFERENCES IN ADULTS’ DAILY INTERACTIONS WITH OTHERS Katherine Fiori1, Amy Rauer2, Kira Birditt3, Angela Turkelson4, and Oliver Huxhold5, 1. Adelphi University, Garden City, New York, United States, 2. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States, 3. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 4. University of Michigan Institute for Social Research, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 5. German Centre of Gerontology, Berlin, Berlin, Germany Recent research has highlighted the importance of interactions with weak ties for well-being. However, structural, cultural, and individual-level racism may influence the ways in which racially minoritized groups (e.g., Black Americans) interact with others, particularly those individuals outside the network (‘weak ties’). Yet most studies on race differences in social ties take a global approach rather than examining daily encounters. Thus, we used ecological momentary assessment and hierarchical network mapping data to examine whether there were race differences in types of daily social interactions (close/in network vs. weak/outside network interactions) and in their valence (positive, negative, ambivalent). Participants from the Stress and Well-being in Everyday Life (SWEL) study (N = 168; M age = 52.96, range = 33-91; 66.1% female; 47.6% Black) completed surveys every three hours for 4-5 days. Results showed that 36.6% of all interactions occurred with people outside of the network. Although White Americans reported having more interactions than Black Americans, the proportions of interactions with close and weak ties did not differ. Interestingly, we found that the proportion of interactions with weak ties was negatively associated with the proportion of positive interactions and positively associated with the proportion of ambivalent interactions for Black Americans only, controlling for age, gender, education, and total number of interactions. Follow-up analyses consider daily experiences of discrimination as a potential mechanism. Findings point to the importance of acknowledging the role of context in shaping the nature and potential effects of daily social interactions with others.

FAQs

What was the main goal of the study?

To examine whether race differences exist in the types and emotional valence of adults’ daily social interactions, particularly involving weak ties outside one’s network.

How were daily interactions measured?

Participants in the SWEL study completed surveys every three hours for 4–5 days, and the study used ecological momentary assessment together with hierarchical network mapping.

What did the study find about race differences in interaction proportions?

White Americans reported more interactions overall than Black Americans, but the proportions of interactions with close versus weak ties did not differ by race. For Black Americans, weak-tie interactions were linked to fewer positive and more ambivalent interactions.

Sep 29, 2026

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