Which measures matter? A behavioral ecology view of “market integration” among the matrilineal Mosuo of Southwest China

• DOI: 10.31235/osf.io/gsku3
• Publication Date: 2021-06-25T18:10:26Z
• Authors: Siobhan Mattison; Darragh Hare; Adam Z. Reynolds; Chun-Yi Sum; Mary K Shenk; Tami Blumenfield; Mingjie Su; Hui Li; Katherine Wander
• Keywords: Affect

Market integration (MI) is a complex process through which individuals transition from relatively subsistence-based to market-oriented activities. Changes associated with MI alter the landscapes of individual health and reproductive decision-making. While consequences are often easily detected, specific pathways affects decision-making context-dependent under-investigated. We employed an information-theoretic model selection approach characterize relationships between multiple indicators three outcomes commonly MI, waist circumference (n = 431), systolic blood pressure 472), age at first reproduction 974), among adult matrilineal Mosuo participants 505 households in six villages southwest China. Different indicators, distributed across individual, household, community levels social organization, predicted these outcomes, demonstrating that individuals’ personal circumstances, household structure, affect how they experience respond MI. emphasize importance identifying measuring context-appropriate organization. Theoretical frameworks situate hypotheses within social, cultural, historical contexts will be most capable elements different domains decision making.