Welcome to UCNets

The UC Berkeley Social Networks Study, or “UCNets” seeks to improve our understanding about our social lives, how we spend time with family, friends, and others.  Research shows that people’s social connections affect their health and happiness.  So, learning more about people’s relationships is an important task for health researchers.

In this panel study of social ties, it will be possible to see how a person’s connections change as a result of life changes, such as marriage or divorce, moving, retiring, illness, and other events.  Because people’s personal networks shape physical and emotional well-being, understanding how and why networks change will have important health implications, especially as Americans encounter changing families, new lifestyles, and economic challenges.

We are not currently collecting data. We thank all of our participants who have been so generous with their time and thoughts.  They are the heroes of our research.

Need help?  Just email ucnets@berkeley.edu.

Participants

With thanks to you, our UCNets participants, we continue to be busy analyzing the results of all three Waves of this study.

Updates for Researchers

Occupational Data Code.
We developed and applied an occupational coding scheme across all the questions that ask about occupation. We have a file that assigns one of 23 categories to the open-ended answers.
Ethnicity.
Also, if you have other queries about codes that involve some open-ended answers –e.g., ethnicity– feel from to inquire as well.

All 3 Waves on NACDA:  Visit https://www.icpsr.umich.edu/web/ ICPSR/studies/36975 to download data and documentation. Also visit our Data & Documentation page. Write to us if you need additional information.

COVID-19 and Mental Health: We conducted a special web survey in fall 2020 on the effect of social distancing and mental health. The questionnaire is in the documentation section of this website. Data may be available by special request.