The Cost of Being Lost in the Crowd: How Congregational Size and Social Networks Shape Attenders' Involvement in Community Organizations
Past research indicates that levels of social embeddedness in a congregation differ between small and large congregations. Since embeddedness in religious social networks is an important predictor of community involvement, this study contributes to the literature by examining whether the relationshi...
| Published in: | Review of religious research |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
|
| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Springer
[2015]
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| In: |
Review of religious research
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| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
USA
/ Church congregation
/ Size
/ Social network
/ Community
/ Participation
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| IxTheo Classification: | AD Sociology of religion; religious policy KBQ North America RB Church office; congregation |
| Further subjects: | B
Social Networks
B Congregation size B Community Involvement |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (Verlag) Volltext (doi) |
| Summary: | Past research indicates that levels of social embeddedness in a congregation differ between small and large congregations. Since embeddedness in religious social networks is an important predictor of community involvement, this study contributes to the literature by examining whether the relationship between embeddedness in congregational social networks and involvement in community organizations varies based on congregation size. Using a sample of attenders and their congregations from the 2008/2009 U.S. Congregational Life Survey, a national survey representative of American congregations, this study examines the relationship between social embeddedness in a congregation and involvement in community organizations and the cross-level interaction between congregation size and social embeddedness. Results suggest that the relationship between social embeddedness and involvement in community organizations is positive overall, but stronger in larger congregations. Involvement in community organizations is the most likely for attenders of smaller congregations and attenders who are socially embedded in their congregations, but it is the least likely for attenders of large congregations who are not very embedded in them. |
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| ISSN: | 2211-4866 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Review of religious research
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1007/s13644-014-0201-2 |