The Effect of Social Conditioning on the Personal Networks of University Students: The Italian Case

The University world has changed over the years, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. Several domains of the academic life experience have been remodelled: relational aspects, resources exchanged within and outside the university, methods of teaching and attending class, communication between students and professors. The expansion of digital connection networks has influenced many aspects of the individual's daily activities, including university life. Employing a quantitative analysis approach while also taking a qualitative perspective, the present study describes the personal support network of 587 Italian university students 1 year after the outbreak of the pandemic and aims to capture their perception of the changes that have occurred in their relationships in these last few years. We explore the structural features of networks, relational properties, types of resources mobilised by support members and aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of how the pandemic has reshaped social interactions. Results show that the support networks described by participants were of small and medium density. Primarily, the network offered symbolic support and companionship, whereas the percentage of network members helping in study activities, mobilising services and information resources tended to be much smaller. Furthermore, the overarching narrative depicts a complex interplay between the fraying of relationships, profound changes in social dynamics and loss of in-person contacts.