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Pdf Construction Validation And Application Of The Measurement Of Soci

Leo Migdal
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pdf construction validation and application of the measurement of soci

This paper aims to present a theoretically based, multidimensional and comparable measurement of social cohesion, applicable in 47 European countries/regions using the most recent micro-level data of the European Value Study (EVS) from 2008... The analysis is conducted in five steps. In the first part, we create a set of measurable intermediate indicators that correspond to the social cohesion dimensions suggested by the theory. In the second part, we verify whether these indicators empirically corroborate the multidimensional structure of the concept proposed by the theory. The third part examines whether the obtained intermediate indicators of social cohesion form the same constructs across countries and whether they can yield a cross-country equivalent measure of social cohesion. In the fourth step, composite scores of all dimensions of social cohesion are calculated for all analysed countries/regions.

The last step shows a practical application of the obtained indices and compares levels of social cohesion in six broader geographical regions of Europe to demonstrate the applicability of the measurement in comparative research. This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access. Price excludes VAT (USA) Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout. The theoretical framework of social cohesion presented in this paper was developed and used in the following research works: Dickes et al. (2008, 2011), Dickes (2010), Acket (2010), Acket et al. (2011).

The selection of items for our analysis was guided by the theoretical framework (Table 1). One could, for example, try to include trust in fellow citizens/interpersonal trust as one of the indicators of social cohesion. However, in Bernard’s view (Bernard 1999), formal/attitudinal domain of social cohesion consists of two dimensions: legitimacy and acceptance. The concept of legitimacy concerns various social institutions and not individuals as such. The acceptance dimension is defined by the author as acceptance of differences rather than interpersonal trust. Thus, this indicator was disregarded in this paper.

However, further research could verify what are the links between interpersonal trust and here suggested indicators of social cohesion. Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer. To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to upgrade your browser. Social interactions have gained increasing importance, both as an outcome and as a possible mediator in psychotherapy research. Still, there is a lack of adequate measures capturing relational aspects in multi-person settings. We present a new measure to assess relevant dimensions of quality of relationships and collective efficacy regarding interpersonal interactions in diverse personal and professional social systems including couple partnerships, families, and working teams: the...

Theoretical dimensions were derived from theories of systemic family therapy and organizational psychology. The study was divided in three parts: In Study 1 (N = 537), a short 9-item scale with two interrelated factors was constructed on the basis of exploratory factor analysis. Quality of relationship and collective efficacy emerged as the most relevant dimensions for the quality of social systems. Study 2 (N = 558) confirmed the measurement model using confirmatory factor analysis and established validity with measures of family functioning, life satisfaction, and working team efficacy. Measurement invariance was assessed to ensure that EVOS captures the same latent construct in all social contexts. In Study 3 (N = 317), an English language adaptation was developed, which again confirmed the original measurement model.

The EVOS is a theory-based, economic, reliable, and valid measure that covers important aspects of social relationships, applicable for different social systems. It is the first instrument of its kind and an important addition to existing measures of social relationships and related outcome measures in therapeutic and other counseling settings involving multiple persons. The EVOS scale measures two core dimensions: relationship quality and collective efficacy, reflecting affective and cognitive aspects of social systems. EVOS is designed to be applicable across various contexts, avoiding normative assumptions and focusing on collective 'we' perceptions instead of individual assessments. The aim of the paper is to assess the construct validation of a multidimensional measure of social cohesion which is well theoretically grounded and has an equivalent/ comparable interpretation across all European countries. Up-to-now published research on social cohesion is deficient in either one or both of these important aspects.

This paper attempts to cover this gap. The task is accomplished in two steps. In the first step, we conceptualize social cohesion, flowing mainly from Bernard and Chan’s definitions of social cohesion. Based on this theoretical framework we operationalize social cohesion and derive a set of intermediate indicators in the data. By return we verify whether these indicators empirically reflect/corroborate the multidimensional structure of the concept proposed by the theory. In the second step, we examine whether the obtained intermediate indicators of social cohesion form the same constructs across countries and whether they can yield a cross country equivalent measure of social cohesion.

To test the validity of the theory we use multidimensional scaling and confirmatory factor analysis. Both models are able to verify the equivalence of the structural results between groups (i.e. countries). Confirmatory factor analysis produces further meaningful measures of these constructs. The analyses are based on the data from the 1999 European Values Study (EVS). The outcomes of the analyses reveal that, firstly, the existence of the multifaceted construct of social cohesion suggested by the theory has been corroborated by empirical analysis of the EVS data (i.e.

social cohesion consists of components of formal and substantial relation- ships and political and socio-cultural domains). Secondly, the proposed constructs mea- suring social cohesion are equivalent across all analysed countries and thus allow the calculation of internationally comparable national scores of social cohesion. Application of the aggregate measures at the country level will illustrate the interest of the approach for further research. Help the hub grow and add your publication. As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors.

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This Paper Aims To Present A Theoretically Based, Multidimensional And

This paper aims to present a theoretically based, multidimensional and comparable measurement of social cohesion, applicable in 47 European countries/regions using the most recent micro-level data of the European Value Study (EVS) from 2008... The analysis is conducted in five steps. In the first part, we create a set of measurable intermediate indicators that correspond to the social cohesion dim...

The Last Step Shows A Practical Application Of The Obtained

The last step shows a practical application of the obtained indices and compares levels of social cohesion in six broader geographical regions of Europe to demonstrate the applicability of the measurement in comparative research. This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access. Price excludes VAT (USA) Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout. The theo...

The Selection Of Items For Our Analysis Was Guided By

The selection of items for our analysis was guided by the theoretical framework (Table 1). One could, for example, try to include trust in fellow citizens/interpersonal trust as one of the indicators of social cohesion. However, in Bernard’s view (Bernard 1999), formal/attitudinal domain of social cohesion consists of two dimensions: legitimacy and acceptance. The concept of legitimacy concerns va...

However, Further Research Could Verify What Are The Links Between

However, further research could verify what are the links between interpersonal trust and here suggested indicators of social cohesion. Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer. To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to upgrade your browser. Social interactions have gained increasing importance, both as an outcome and as a possibl...

Theoretical Dimensions Were Derived From Theories Of Systemic Family Therapy

Theoretical dimensions were derived from theories of systemic family therapy and organizational psychology. The study was divided in three parts: In Study 1 (N = 537), a short 9-item scale with two interrelated factors was constructed on the basis of exploratory factor analysis. Quality of relationship and collective efficacy emerged as the most relevant dimensions for the quality of social system...