Network effects, network structure and consumer interaction in mobile telecommunications in Europe and Asia

This paper estimates the importance of (tariff-mediated) network effects and the impact of a consumer's social network on her choice of mobile phone provider. The study uses network data obtained from surveys of students in several European and Asian countries. We use the Quadratic Assignment Procedure, a non-parametric permutation test, to adjust for the particular error structure of network data. We find that respondents strongly coordinate their choice of mobile phone providers, but only if their provider induces network effects. This suggests that this coordination depends on network effects rather than on information contagion or pressure to conform to the social environment.

Social Recommendation Based on Content and Trust

Report published in the Proceedings of the National Conference on "Education and Research in the Information Society", Plovdiv, May, 2014

Observation of Matthew effects in Sina Weibo microblogger

This paper researches on Matthew Effect in Sina Weibo microblogger. We choose the microblogs in the ranking list of Hot Microblog App in Sina Weibo microblogger as target of our study. The differences of repost number of microblogs in the ranking list between before and after the time when it enter the ranking list of Hot Microblog app are analyzed. And we compare the spread features of the microblogs in the ranking list with those hot microblogs not in the list and those ordinary microblogs of users who have some microblog in the ranking list before. Our study proves the existence of Matthew Effect in social network. © 2013 IEEE.

Connecting social media to e-commerce:cold-start product recommendation using microblogging information

In recent years, the boundaries between e-commerce and social networking have become increasingly blurred. Many e-commerce websites support the mechanism of social login where users can sign on the websites using their social network identities such as their Facebook or Twitter accounts. Users can also post their newly purchased products on microblogs with links to the e-commerce product web pages. In this paper, we propose a novel solution for cross-site cold-start product recommendation, which aims to recommend products from e-commerce websites to users at social networking sites in 'cold-start' situations, a problem which has rarely been explored before. A major challenge is how to leverage knowledge extracted from social networking sites for cross-site cold-start product recommendation. We propose to use the linked users across social networking sites and e-commerce websites (users who have social networking accounts and have made purchases on e-commerce websites) as a bridge to map users' social networking features to another feature representation for product recommendation. In specific, we propose learning both users' and products' feature representations (called user embeddings and product embeddings, respectively) from data collected from e-commerce websites using recurrent neural networks and then apply a modified gradient boosting trees method to transform users' social networking features into user embeddings. We then develop a feature-based matrix factorization approach which can leverage the learnt user embeddings for cold-start product recommendation. Experimental results on a large dataset constructed from the largest Chinese microblogging service Sina Weibo and the largest Chinese B2C e-commerce website JingDong have shown the effectiveness of our proposed framework.

The network structure of Hungarian business clusters

This article investigates the attitudes to inter-firm co-operation in Hungary by analysing a special group of business networks: the business clusters. Following an overview of cluster policy, a wide range of selfproclaimed business clusters are identified. A small elite of these business networks evolves into successful, sustainable innovative business clusters. However, in the majority of cases, these consortia of interfirm co-operation are not based on a mutually satisfactory model, and as a consequence, many clusters do not survive in the longer term. The paper uses the concepts and models of social network theory in order to explain, why and under what circumstances inter-firm co-operation in clusters enhances the competitiveness of the network as a whole, or alternatively, under what circumstances the cluster remains dependent on Government subsidies. The empirical basis of the study is a thorough internet research about the Hungarian cluster movement; a questionnaire based expert survey among managers of clusters and member companies and a set of in-depth interviews among managers of self-proclaimed clusters. The last chapter analyises the applicability of social network theory in the analysis of business networks and a model involving the value chain is recommended.

Late adolescents in transition: Social networks, parent relations, and well -being

A two-year longitudinal study was conducted to investigate late adolescents in transition. An initial investigation with senior high school students assessed students prior to leaving home for college and after college entrance. Of the original 131 participants recontacted two years after their graduation, 78 returned surveys. The study (a) explored changes in social network structure and function, (b) determined whether late adolescent-parent-peer relations change over time, and (c) identified prospectively the impact of social support, adolescent-parent-peer relations, and attachment security on well-being and feelings about the transition after high school. Students attending college locally reported an increase in total network support at Time 2. Regardless of location, more support from friends was received after the transition from high school, whereas family support did not vary across time. Parent relations were closer after the transition and were predictive of various well-being measures and feelings about the transition from high school. ^

Labeling large scale social media data using budget-driven One-class SVM classification

The social media classification problems draw more and more attention in the past few years. With the rapid development of Internet and the popularity of computers, there is astronomical amount of information in the social network (social media platforms). The datasets are generally large scale and are often corrupted by noise. The presence of noise in training set has strong impact on the performance of supervised learning (classification) techniques. A budget-driven One-class SVM approach is presented in this thesis that is suitable for large scale social media data classification. Our approach is based on an existing online One-class SVM learning algorithm, referred as STOCS (Self-Tuning One-Class SVM) algorithm. To justify our choice, we first analyze the noise-resilient ability of STOCS using synthetic data. The experiments suggest that STOCS is more robust against label noise than several other existing approaches. Next, to handle big data classification problem for social media data, we introduce several budget driven features, which allow the algorithm to be trained within limited time and under limited memory requirement. Besides, the resulting algorithm can be easily adapted to changes in dynamic data with minimal computational cost. Compared with two state-of-the-art approaches, Lib-Linear and kNN, our approach is shown to be competitive with lower requirements of memory and time.

Empirical aspects of a mixed method approach to economic network analysis

We discuss the interactions among the various phases of network research design in the context of our current work using Mixed Methods and SNA on networks and rural economic development. We claim that there are very intricate inter-dependencies among the various phases of network research design - from theory and formulation of research questions right through to modes of analysis and interpretation. Through examples drawn from our work we illustrate how choices about methods for Sampling and Data Collection are influenced by these interdependencies.

Estrategias de visibilización y procesos de identificación boliviana en la prensa gráfica y en la red social Facebook, en dos ciudades del centro de la provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina

Los usos y las formas de identificación intra y extra grupo a través de los medios de comunicación son aspectos escasamente explorados en los estudios sobre las identidades en ciudades de tipo intermedias del centro de la provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Por ello, el objetivo de este trabajo consiste en analizar y discutir los modos en que se visibilizan y construyen las representaciones y manifestaciones de los inmigrantes y descendientes bolivianos, específicamente en la red social Facebook y en la prensa gráfica local de las ciudades de Olavarría y Azul. Se pretende contribuir a la comprensión de la manera en que se producen los diversos discursos y saberes de estos grupos, así como identificar a estos medios de comunicación como instrumentos que posibilitan intervenir desde otros espacios de reconocimiento y legitimidad.

Circular migration and the Internet: The role of social networks in the sociocultural context of Mexican residents in Barcelona

This work focuses on the study of the circular migration between America and Europe, particularly in the discussion about knowledge transfer and the way that social networks reconfigure the form of information distribution among people, that due to labor and academic issues have left their own country. The main purpose of this work is to study the impact of social media use in migration flows between Mexico and Spain, more specifically the use by Mexican migrants who have moved for  multiple years principally for educational purposes and then have returned to their respective locations in Mexico seeking to integrate themselves into the labor market. Our data collection concentrated exclusively on a group created on Facebook by Mexicans who mostly reside in Barcelona, Spain or wish to travel to the city for economic, educational or tourist reasons.  The results of this research show that while social networks are spaces for exchange and integration, there is a clear tendency by this group to "narrow lines" and to look back to their homeland, slowing the process of opening socially in their new context.

Perfis de Redes Sociais Pessoais de Idosos com e Sem Apoio de Respostas Sociais: um contributo para o desenvolvimento de tipologias no Diagnóstico Social

Sendo um dos objetivos do Serviço Social a promoção do bem-estar social, e considerando a relevância das redes sociais pessoais e do suporte social no bem-estar das pessoas idosas, o presente estudo analisa perfis de redes sociais pessoais de idosos, tendo em conta as suas características estruturais, funcionais e relacionais-contextuais, na perspectiva do Serviço Social sistémico. Na última etapa da vida identificam-se na rede social de um individuo vários determinantes com efeitos cumulativos que favorecem o estreitamento das redes sociais, sendo os contextos de vida, as necessidades de apoio de respostas sociais e a institucionalização, fatores relevantes para a investigação. A investigação quantitativa, utilizou um inquérito por questionário para caracterizar sociodemograficamente a amostra e o Instrumento de Análise de Rede Social Pessoal (Guadalupe, 2009) para caracterizar a rede nas suas dimensões e características, privilegiando-se uma análise bivariada das variáveis. A amostra é composta por 317 idosos com idade igual ou superior a 65 anos. Comparámos três subamostras: 209 idosos que não usufruem do apoio de respostas sociais (65,9%), sendo estes maioritariamente de sexo feminino, casado(a)s ou a viver em união de facto e com média de 75 anos; 71 idosos que usufruem de apoio de respostas sociais (22,4%), na sua maioria de sexo feminino, viúvo(a)s e com 80 anos de média de idade; 37 idosos institucionalizados em Lar (11,7%), mulheres na sua maioria, viúvo(a)s, com média de 83 anos. A hipótese inicial do nosso estudo era a existência de três perfis distintos nas redes sociais pessoais de idosos, conforme a sua relação com as respostas sociais, no entanto, concluiu-se que existe um padrão comum nas redes sociais destes idosos, quer a nível estrutural, como a nível funcional ou contextual. Todavia, identificamos algumas diferenças significativas (p < 0,041) entre os perfis explorados, na composição das redes, na reciprocidade de apoio, na satisfação da rede, na densidade, na frequência de contactos, na distância geográfica e na durabilidades das relações. O estudo constitui-se como um contributo para o Serviço Social, na medida em que oferece conhecimento sobre as redes sociais dos idosos em diferentes contextos de vida, não oferecendo, no entanto, uma categorização que possibilite a construção cabal de tipologias, mas antes, fornece uma base orientadora da avaliação das redes sociais pessoais e de suporte social de idosos para o diagnóstico social. / Being one of Social Work goals the promotion of social well-being, and considering the relevance of personal social networks and social support in the well-being of the elderly, the present study analyzes personal social network’s profiles of elderly people, taking into account their structural, functional and relational-contextual characteristics, in a Social Work systemic perspective. In the last stage of life are identified in an individual's various social network determinants with cumulative effects favouring the narrowing of social networks, being life contexts, the support needs of social responses and institutionalization, relevant factors to the investigation. Our quantitative research used a survey to characterize socially and demographically the sample and the Personal Social Network Analysis Tool (Guadalupe, 2009) to characterize the network in its dimensions and characteristics, using a bivariate analysis of the variables. The sample is composed of 317 elderly aged 65 years old or more. We compared three sub-samples: 209 seniors who do not have the support of social services (65.9%), mostly female, married or cohabiting and with an average of 75 years old; 71 seniors who have support of social services (22.4%), mostly women, widowed and with 80 years of average age; 37 institutionalized elderly (11.7%), mostly women, widowed, with an average age of 83 years. The initial hypothesis of our study was the existence of three distinct personal profiles on social networks, according to their relationship to the social services, however, we have concluded that there is a common pattern in social networks of these elderly, at their structural, functional or contextual level. However, we identified some significant differences (p < 0.041) between the explored profiles, in the composition of networks, support reciprocity, network satisfaction, density, frequency of contacts, geographical distance and durability of relations. The study is a contribution to Social Work, insofar as it provides knowledge about personal social networks of the elderly in different life contexts, not offering, however, a fully categorization that allows the construction of typologies, but rather, provides guidance lines in the evaluation of personal social networks and social support of the elderly to the social diagnosis.

Rede Social Pessoal de Jovens Acolhidos em Lares de Infância e Juventude

A rede social dos sujeitos tem sido considerada fundamental para lidar com a adversidade. O objetivo central deste estudo foi caracterizar as redes sociais pessoais de jovens em regime de acolhimento institucional prolongado, na perspetiva dos próprios e dos técnicos das instituições e perceber se estas relacionam com o projeto de vida. Participaram 84 jovens, com idades compreendidas entre os 12 e os 20 anos de idade, acolhidos em 6 lares de infância e juventude do distrito de Santarém. Os participantes são na sua maioria do sexo feminino, com uma idade média de 15 anos. Para avaliação das variáveis em estudo utilizou-se a versão revista sumária do Instrumento de Avaliação de Redes Sociais Pessoais (IARSP-RS) e um questionário de autorresposta de caracterização da instituição de acolhimento. Os resultados desta investigação permitiram verificar que as redes dos jovens em situação de acolhimento institucional são fragmentadas, constituídas, em média, por 12 elementos e predominantemente compostas por familiares, amigos e profissionais das instituições, destacando-se as relações familiares. O nível de apoio social percebido é elevado na função emocional e informativa. Verificou-se uma maior reciprocidade do apoio por parte das jovens do sexo feminino, a institucionalização pode potenciar a expansão da rede social de suporte e a frequência de contactos associa-se à distância geográfica. A satisfação dos jovens com o suporte social é elevada. Metade dos jovens perspetivam a saída da instituição pela via da autonomização. A perceção dos profissionais das redes de suporte social é mais limitada, no tamanho, reciprocidade, satisfação com o suporte social e nas relações estabelecidas com a família, amigos da comunidade envolvente e relações de trabalho/estudo. Por outro lado, os técnicos identificam um nível mais elevado de densidade e de vínculos com os técnicos e educadores da instituição. Não se verificaram diferenças significativas nas características da rede social em função do projeto de vida, porém perceberam-se diferenças no projeto de vida em função da idade e da duração do acolhimento. A rede social apresenta um potencial protetor que vale a pena conhecer, fomentar e valorizar, destacando-se que é importante conhecer a perspetiva do próprio sujeito, já que esta tem um carácter muito pessoal. / The social network has been considered fundamental to deal with the adversities. The main objective of this study was to characterize the social network of the youngesters in prolonged institutional care, from the perspective of themselves and professionals of the institutions and to observe if their social network fits with their life project. 84 youngsters with ages between 12 and 20 years old living in 6 institutions of childhood and juvenile care from de district of Santarém participated in this study. The participants are mainly female, with an average age of 15 years old. To evaluate the variables in study, it was applied a version of the summary review of the Instrument of Evaluation of Personal Social Networks (IARSP-RS) and a survey of self-response to characterize the institutional care. The results of this investigation allowed to conclude that the social network of youngsters in a situation of institutional care are fragmented, composed by an average of 12 elements and primarily composed by family members, friends and professionals, but the most significant were the family relationships. It was observed that social support is high in terms of emotional and informative functions. It was observed an higher mutual support from the young ladies, institutionalization may foster the expansion of the social support network and that the frequency of connections is related with geographic distance. The satisfaction of the youngsters with social support is high. Half of the youngsters previews getting out of the institution by becoming autonomous. The understanding of the professionals of the social support network is more limited, about size, mutuality, satisfaction with the social support, family, friends of involving community and relationship of work/study. On the other side, the professionals identify an higher level of density and bonds with the technicals and educators of the institutions. Significative differences in the characteristics social network in terms of the life project weren’t found, however there were diferences in the life project in terms of the age and the duration of institutionalization. The social network has a protector potential that is worth of studying, promote and valorize, highlighting that it is important to know the perspective of the individual, because of its personal nature.

Rede Social Pessoal de Cuidadores Informais de Adultos com Necessidades Especiais

Objetivo. Devido ao aumento da esperança de vida, os adultos com necessidades especiais vivem mais tempo, sendo os seus principais cuidadores, geralmente familiares, também mais envelhecidos. Tal situação representa novas necessidades específicas de apoio, sendo inúmeros os desafios colocados ao Serviço Social no sentido de garantir o bem-estar da pessoa com incapacidade e dos seus cuidadores. Assim, este estudo tem como objetivo realizar um levantamento das necessidades de apoio e a caraterização da rede social pessoal de apoio do cuidador informal de adultos com necessidades especiais. Participantes. A amostra é constituída por 40 cuidadores informais de adultos com necessidades especiais, integrados na resposta social “Centro de Atividades Ocupacionais-CAO” da Associação de Paralisia Cerebral de Coimbra, de ambos os sexos com idade igual ou superior a 40 anos. Material e métodos. Foi utilizado o Instrumento de Avaliação da Rede Social Pessoal e um questionário para caracterização sociodemográfica e sociofamiliar dos cuidadores, assim como para avaliação de necessidades. Resultados. Aproximadamente um terço dos cuidadores relatou a experiência de níveis moderados de sobrecarga associada à prestação de cuidados, enquanto mais de metade relatou a experiência de níveis elevados e muito elevados dessa sobrecarga; o apoio financeiro foi referido como a forma de apoio mais necessária no presente, ainda que o apoio em residência tenha sido percecionado por cerca de um terço dos cuidadores como a forma de apoio mais necessária no futuro; enquanto mais de metade considerou o apoio domiciliário e de unidade residencial (institucional). Estes cuidadores familiares referiram a "incerteza" e a "esperança" como os sentimentos mais frequentemente experienciados em relação ao futuro das suas vidas. No que respeita às redes sociais, as relações familiares são centrais a nível estrutural; em termos de caraterísticas funcionais da rede, foram observados valores mais elevados para as dimensões de reciprocidade do apoio e satisfação com a rede social. Implicações. Este estudo sublinha a importância da avaliação das necessidades de apoio dos cuidadores familiares de adultos com necessidades especiais. A sua implementação sistemática pode auxiliar a tomada de decisão baseada na evidência empírica para as intervenções do Serviço Social, tais como na planificação e gestão de respostas e serviços sociais, a par do reconhecimento e ativação dos recursos das próprias famílias, de forma a promover a eficiência dos recursos e eficácia das intervenções, focadas no bem-estar do cidadão com deficiência e das suas famílias. / Aim. The general increase in human life expectancy has resulted in greater rates of survival for adults with special care needs, as well as for their ageing family caregivers. This situation poses different and specific support needs, which represent a major challenge in social work interventions aimed at ensuring the well-being of disabled persons and their caregivers. Therefore, this study was aimed to describe the needs for support and the perceived social support network of family caregivers of adults with special care needs. Participants. The sample for this study comprised 40 family caregivers of disabled adults with special care needs, of both genders and aged 40 years old at minimum, who attended a long-term care facility at Coimbra Cerebral Palsy Association. Material and methods. Participants were administered a self-report questionnaire on socio-economic, family and caregiving needs, along with the Instrument for Assessing Personal Social Networks. Results. Nearly one third a family caregivers experienced moderate caregiving burden, while more than half experienced high or very high levels of caregiving burden; financial support was perceived as the most needed form of support in the present, but residential home care was identified as the most needed form of support in the future; while more than a half considered home-based support and residential support viable options for their disabled family members with special care needs. These family caregivers reported "uncertainty" and "hope" as the most common feelings towards their family life in the future. On the topic of social networks, family relations were found to be crucial at the structural level; in terms of functional characteristics of the network, elevated scores were observed for reciprocity of support and satisfaction with the social network. Implications. This study highlights the importance of increasing the specificity of the assessments of needs for support in family caregivers of disabled adults with special care needs. The systematic conduction of these assessments may assist evidence-based decision making in social work interventions, such as for planning and managing social services, acknowledging and activating the families' own resources, and ultimately promote the efficacy and effectiveness 57 interventions aimed at improving the well-being of disabled citizens and their families.

Participação Social e Redes Sociais Pessoais de Idosos

Objetivo: O objetivo central deste estudo é caracterizar as redes sociais pessoais de indivíduos com idade igual ou superior a 65 anos, a nível estrutural, funcional e relacional-contextual, analisando-as segundo o nível de participação social dos idosos ao longo da sua vida em estruturas comunitárias ligadas ao lazer, cultura, desporto, religião e voluntariado. Metodologia: Para a avaliação das variáveis em estudo foram utilizados o Instrumento de Análise da Rede Social Pessoal, versão para idosos (IARSP – Idosos) (Guadalupe, 2010; Guadalupe & Vicente, 2012) para avaliar as dimensões da rede social pessoal, um questionário para caracterizar as variáveis sociodemográficas e a participação social e a Satisfaction With Life Scale – SWLS (Diener, 1985) que permite avaliar o grau de satisfação com a vida. Participantes: A amostra é constituída por 567 idosos, com uma média de idades de 75 anos (DP=7,6), entre os 65 anos e os 98 anos, maioritariamente do sexo feminino (63,0%), casados ou em união de facto (53,7%) e com escolaridade (69,8%), sobretudo ao nível do quarto ano (51,3%). A maioria dos idosos inquiridos não vive só (79,4%) numa zona de residência maioritariamente inserida em aglomerado populacional em região rural (57,0%) e não usufrui de qualquer tipo de apoio de resposta social (75,5%). Resultados: A amostra divide-se entre os que participaram comunitariamente ao longo da vida (47,8%; n = 271) e os que não participaram (52,2%; n = 296), sendo que entre os que participam 16,7% fazem-no com elevada frequência. Os idosos do sexo feminino, com idade igual ou inferior a 75 anos, casados, com habilitações literárias e que vivem acompanhados, são os que têm uma maior probabilidade de ter uma participação social mais ativa. Os idosos que apresentam participação social têm uma rede maior, com um membro a mais em média (M = 8,52 vs. 7,51, p = 0,027), e uma composição distinta dos que não participam, com menor peso das relações familiares (M = 72,61% vs. 80,81%, p < 0,001), maior peso e mais relações de amizade (M = 15,43% vs. M = 9,24%, p < 0,001) e maior presença de relações de trabalho (M = 1,11% vs. 0,13%, p = 0,006). Relativamente às características funcionais, podemos constatar que a reciprocidade de apoio é percebida como maior (p = 0,010) entre os idosos que participam comunitariamente, não se verificando diferenças noutras variáveis funcionais e relacionais-contextuais. O nível de participação e a satisfação com o nível de participação correlacionam-se positivamente com a satisfação percebida com a vida (p < 0,001). Conclusão: As conclusões apontam para um efeito da participação social ao longo da vida em estruturas comunitárias nas características estruturais das redes sociais pessoais dos idosos, não se verificando interferência na maioria das características funcionais e nas relacionais-contextuais. Verificámos ainda que há uma associação entre a participação social e a satisfação com a vida, sendo mais satisfeitos os que participam em estruturas comunitárias. É possível constatar que a rede daqueles que referem ter participação social é tendencialmente maior e heterogénea na composição, quando comparada com as redes dos sem participação social, assumindo, assim, relevância na estruturação de uma rede mais diversa e ampla, devendo ser estimulada no sentido de promover uma rede com recursos potencialmente positivos e um envelhecimento mais ativo. / Objectives: The central objective of this study is to characterize the personal social networks of the elderly, aged 65 years or more, analyzing them according to the level of social participation throughout their life in community structures related to leisure, culture, sports, religion and volunteering. Methodology: For the evaluation of the variables we used the Social Network Analysis Tool (IARSP-elderly) (Guadalupe, 2010; Guadalupe Vicente, 2012) to assess the dimensions of the social network; a questionnaire to evaluate social participation; and the Satisfaction With Life Scale SWLS – (Diener, 1985) to acess the degree of satisfaction with life. Participants: The sample consists of 567 elderly, with an average age of 75 years old (SD = 7,595), between 65 and 98 years old, mostly female (63.0 %), married (53.7%) with education (69.8%), mainly with the 4th grade (51.3%). Most of the respondents do not live alone (79.4%) in agglomerations in rural region (57.0%) and are not users of social services (75.5%). Results: The sample is divided between those who had community participation throughout life (47.8 %; n = 271) and those who did not participated (52,2%; n = 296). Between the first, 16.7% do it with high frequency. The elderly women, aged less than 75 years old, married, with educational qualifications and living not alone, are those who have a higher likelihood of having a more active social participation. The elderly that present social participation have a larger network, with one more member (M = 8,52 vs. 7,51, p = 0,027), and a composition distinct from not participating, with less proportion of family relations (M = 72,61% vs. 80,81%, p < 0,001), greater proportion and more friendships (M = 15,43% vs. M = 9,24%, p < 0,001) and greater presence of working relations (M = 1,11% vs. 0,13%, p = 0,006). Regarding the functional dimension, the reciprocity of support is perceived as higher (p = 0.010) among seniors participating in community and there were no differences in other functional and relational-contextual variables. The level of participation and satisfaction with the level of participation correlate positively with perceived satisfaction with life (p <0.001). Conclusion: The findings point to an effect of lifelong social participation in community in structural characteristics of personal social networks of the elderly, not verifying interference in most of the functional and the contextual-relational characteristics. We have also found that there is an association between social participation and life satisfaction, being more satisfied when they participate in community structures. The social network of the elderly who reported having social participation tends to be larger and heterogeneous in composition compared with those without social participation, thus assuming importance in structuring a more diverse and extensive network, should be encouraged in order to promote a network with potentially positive resources and a more active aging.

Rede Social Pessoal, Qualidade de Vida e Depressão em Idosos

Em Portugal e no Mundo Ocidental a população está a envelhecer, colocando esta nova realidade enormes desafios à sociedade. A sua crescente relevância deve-se sobretudo às consideráveis repercussões a nível pessoal, familiar, sociopolítico e económico e que afetam pessoas de todas as idades e a sociedade como um todo, colocando desafios específicos relativamente às relações interpessoais, à qualidade de vida e à saúde mental na pessoa idosa. Deste modo, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo analisar a associação entre a qualidade de vida, a depressão e as características das redes sociais pessoais dos idosos. Participaram no estudo 317 indivíduos, sendo 202 do sexo feminino e 115 do sexo masculino, com idade igual ou superior a 65 anos, com uma média de 77 anos (DP=7,57). Na recolha de dados recorremos a três instrumentos: Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS Short Form 15), (Yesavage et al., 1983; Almeida & Almeida, 1999); Instrumento de Avaliação de Qualidade de Vida da OMS (WHOQOL), (OMS, 1998; Canavarro et al., 2006); Instrumento de Avaliação das Redes Sociais Pessoais (IARSP – Idosos), (Guadalupe, 2010; Guadalupe & Vicente, 2012). Dos resultados destacamos que as características funcionais da rede social pessoal se diferenciaram de forma estatisticamente significativa entre as subamostras de idosos segundo os níveis de qualidade de vida percebida. Saliente-se que, além da relação significativa entre a depressão e qualidade de vida, em que os idosos com um nível mais baixo de qualidade de vida percebida apresentam maiores níveis de depressão (p<0,001), as características funcionais das redes sociais apresentam uma associação clara com a qualidade de vida (p<0,005) e a maioria com a depressão (p<0,014), o que não acontece com as estruturais e com as relacionais-contextuais. Outros resultados indicam que indivíduos com diferentes níveis de qualidade de vida percebida possuem uma estrutura idêntica da rede social pessoal. Ao nível da análise da associação entre as variáveis funcionais da Rede Social Pessoal, Qualidade de Vida e Depressão, o modelo analítico transmite-nos indicadores de investigação e intervenção precisos, o que demonstra a necessidade da continuidade e aprofundamento do presente estudo num âmbito amostral mais alargado e heterogéneo. / In Portugal and in the eastern world, the aging of population creates huge challenges to societies. It's growing relevance is owed to considerable repercussions on the personal, familiar, socio-politic and economic level that affect people of all ages and society as a whole, creating specific challenges regarding interpersonal relationships, quality of life and mental health of the elderly. The current work has the objective of analyzing the association between quality of life, depression and the characteristics of personal social networks of the elderly. 317 individuals have participated in this study, 202 female and 115 male, with age equal or above 65 years old, with an average of 77 years old (DP=7,57). We used three assessment instruments to collect data: Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS Short Form 15), (Yesavage et al., 1983; Almeida & Almeida, 1999); WHO’s Quality of Life Evaluation instrument (WHOQOL) (WHO, 1998; Canavarro et al., 2006); Personal Social Network Analysis Tool (IARSP-Elderly),(Guadalupe, 2010; Guadalupe & Vicente, 2012). The results show that the functional personal network characteristics are significantly different according to their level of quality of life. It should also be noted that not only there is a significant association between depression and quality of life, in which elderly people with a lower quality of life level show higher levels of depression (p<0,001), there is also a clear association between the functional social network characteristics and quality of life (p<0,005), and the majority with depression (p<0,014), which doesn’t happen with structural and relational-contextual social network characteristics. Other results indicate that different levels of quality of life acquire an identical social network structure. On the matter of association between the functional variables of social networks, quality of fife and depression, the analytic model shows precise indicators of research and intervention, which instills us a need to continue and enlarge this study with an wider and more heterogeneous sample.