Abstract
The effects of urbanism on personal networks were investigated through multilevel analysis, using models containing variables measured at different hierarchical levels. The contextual effects of urbanism on the number of intimate kin, neighbors, and friends, as well as the spatial dispersion of such networks, were examined after controlling for individual-level variables. The participants were people aged 25 years and older (n=4,676) living in 30 local communities in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, and Chiba Prefectures. The results indicated the following. (1) Community differences in the total number of kin disappeared after controlling for such variables. However, urbanism was associated with the spatial dispersion of kinship. The number of local kin decreased with increasing urbanism, suggesting that kinship networks in metropolitan communities were geographically dispersed and were selective rather than normative. (2) The number of neighbors decreased with increasing urbanism. (3) Community differences in the total number of friends disappeared after controlling for individual-level variables. However, urbanism was associated with the spatial dispersion of friendships: increasing urbanism was associated with an increased number of friends living at mid-range distances. These results suggest that urbanism promotes the accessibility of friendship resources that are spread throughout urban areas.