What is Social Capital?
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Social capital has been variously defined with a common emphasis on the role of social networks, civil norms and social trust which lead to cooperation for mutual benefit.
Social capital operates at both individual and community level and is influenced by the extent to which people are embedded within their families, social networks and communities, and have a sense of belonging and civic identity (Morrow, 1999).
Several dimensions of social capital have been identified*:
- Social participation e.g. Number of cultural, leisure, social groups belonged to and frequency and intensity of involvement; Volunteering - frequency and intensity of involvement
- Empowerment e.g. People have skills to contribute to community activity; People have increased confidence to participate in community activity; People connect and network with other people and organisations within the community
- Civic participation, e.g. Perceptions of ability to influence events; Contact with public officials or political representatives; Involvement with local action groups; Propensity to vote
- Social networks and social support, e.g. Frequency of seeing/speaking to relatives /friends/neighbours; Extent of virtual networks and frequency of contact; Perceived control and satisfaction with life; Exchange of help
- Reciprocity and trust / Connectedness, e.g. Trust in other people who are like you; Trust in other people who are not like you; Doing favours and vice versa; Perception of shared values
- Views of the local area, e.g. Views on physical environment; Facilities in the area; Enjoyment of living in the area; Fear of crime
Social capital and health
There is increasing interest in the links between social capital and health and well-being and its role in addressing health inequalities.
People with high levels of social capital are generally happier, have better mental health, lower mortality rates, and are less likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease and stroke than similar individuals with low levels of social capital (Borgonovi, 2010).
Social capital can also be beneficial for health in terms of:
People with high levels of social capital are generally happier, have better mental health, lower mortality rates, and are less likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease and stroke than similar individuals with low levels of social capital (Borgonovi, 2010).
Social capital can also be beneficial for health in terms of:
- Furnishing tangible material assistance which in turn reduces stress.
- Reinforcing healthy norms and behaviours.
- Lobbying effectively for improved health services.
- Interaction in / with social networks may stimulate the body’s immune system. (Putnam, 2000, p.326).
Community Health Champions and Social Capital
There is a rising interest in the mechanisms that may be seen to build social capital, in particular, community development approaches to health improvement. The Altogether Better Programme uses an empowerment approach that is already showing an impact on social capital in communities across Yorkshire and Humber.
The Altogether Better programme has evidence (Frost, 2010) that, as well as improving health and well-being outcomes, our projects and Community Health Champions (CHCs) provide a mechanism to influence levels of social capital in communities. In an analysis of qualitative data from case studies and annual reports completed by our projects - we found evidence of social capital related to three broad themes:
There is a rising interest in the mechanisms that may be seen to build social capital, in particular, community development approaches to health improvement. The Altogether Better Programme uses an empowerment approach that is already showing an impact on social capital in communities across Yorkshire and Humber.
The Altogether Better programme has evidence (Frost, 2010) that, as well as improving health and well-being outcomes, our projects and Community Health Champions (CHCs) provide a mechanism to influence levels of social capital in communities. In an analysis of qualitative data from case studies and annual reports completed by our projects - we found evidence of social capital related to three broad themes:
1. Civic and social participation: CHCs having an ability to influence community affairs, participating and volunteering in community activity and projects, and having increased access to services.
2. Social networks and support: CHCs reported increased friends and social networks; having confidence to engage with others; improved interaction with family and friends, and an increase in reciprocity and trust.
3. Self efficacy and control: CHCs reported improved self confidence and self esteem; feeling valued and useful and having improved self control.
As social capital benefits both the creator and those around them, the positive effects may ensue for individual CHCs as well as those they come into contact with.
Policy context
The recent Marmot Review on health inequalities (2010) recommended the promotion of social capital as a policy that would help promote health and well-being and reduce inequalities (Marmot, 2010). Community empowerment is also one of the three strands of the ‘Big Society’ agenda.
CHCs could therefore be seen as a mechanism to help build social capital and also help Government meet targets around:
CHCs could therefore be seen as a mechanism to help build social capital and also help Government meet targets around:
- Reducing health inequalities
- Increasing uptake of services
- Increasing early identification of health problems and reducing risk factors
- Encouraging people to take an active role in their communities
Read more about social capital at The Saguaro Seminar: Civic Engagement in America initiative - led by Professor Robert D. Putnam at Harvard University.
References
BORGONOVI, F. (2010) A life cycle approach to the analysis of the relationship between social capital and health in Britain. Social Science & Medicine, 71, 1927-1934.
References
BORGONOVI, F. (2010) A life cycle approach to the analysis of the relationship between social capital and health in Britain. Social Science & Medicine, 71, 1927-1934.
MORROW, G. (1999) Conceptualising social capital in relation to the well-being of children and young people: a critical review. . The Sociological Review 44: , 744-65.
PUTNAM, R. D. (2000) Bowling alone: the collapse and revival of American community, New York, Simon and Schuster.
WOODALL, J., RAINE, G., SOUTH, J. & WARWICK-BOOTH, L. (2010) Empowerment and Health & Well-being: Evidence Review. Centre for Health Promotion Research, Leeds Metropolitan University
MARMOT, M., ALLEN, J., MCNEISH, D., GRADY, M., GOLDBLATT, P., BOYCE, T. & GEDDES, I. (2010) Fair Society, Healthy Lives: The Marmot Review, University College London
HARPER, R. & KELLY, M. (2003) Measuring Social Capital in the United Kingdom, Office for National Statistics.
MORRISSEY, M., MCGINN, P. & MCDONNELL, B. (2002) Ceni Report: Evaluating Community-Based and Voluntary Activity in Northern Ireland. The Voluntary & Community Unit, DSD.
FROST, S. (2010) Do Community Health Champions influence social capital in deprived communities? MSc, University of York (unpublished).
FROST, S. (2010) Do Community Health Champions influence social capital in deprived communities? MSc, University of York (unpublished).
