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The major life events taxonomy: Social readjustment, social media information sharing, and online network separation during times of life transition

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  • Oliver L. Haimson
  • Albert J. Carter
  • Shanley Corvite
  • Brookelyn Wheeler
  • Lingbo Wang
  • Tianxiao Liu
  • Alexxus Lige

Abstract

When people experience major life changes, this often impacts their self‐presentation, networks, and online behavior in substantial ways. To effectively study major life transitions and events, we surveyed a large U.S. sample (n = 554) to create the Major Life Events Taxonomy, a list of 121 life events in 12 categories. We then applied this taxonomy to a second large U.S. survey sample (n = 775) to understand on average how much social readjustment each event required, how likely each event was to be shared on social media with different types of audiences, and how much online network separation each involved. We found that social readjustment is positively correlated with sharing on social media, with both broad audiences and close ties as well as in online spaces separate from one's network of known ties. Some life transitions involve high levels of sharing with both separate audiences and broad audiences on social media, providing evidence for what previous research has called social media as social transition machinery. Researchers can use the Major Life Events Taxonomy to examine how people's life transition experiences relate to their behaviors, technology use, and health and well‐being outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Oliver L. Haimson & Albert J. Carter & Shanley Corvite & Brookelyn Wheeler & Lingbo Wang & Tianxiao Liu & Alexxus Lige, 2021. "The major life events taxonomy: Social readjustment, social media information sharing, and online network separation during times of life transition," Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 72(7), pages 933-947, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:jinfst:v:72:y:2021:i:7:p:933-947
    DOI: 10.1002/asi.24455
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wilkinson, Renae & Cowden, Richard G. & Chen, Ying & VanderWeele, Tyler J., 2023. "Exposure to negative life events, change in their perceived impact, and subsequent well-being among U.S. adults: A longitudinal outcome-wide analysis," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).

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