A systematic review of the relationships between social capital and socioeconomic inequalities in health: a contribution to understanding the psychosocial pathway of health inequalities

Abstract

IntroductionRecent research on health inequalities moves beyond illustrating the importance of psychosocial factors for health to a more in-depth study of the specific psychosocial pathways involved. Social capital is a concept that captures both a buffer function of the social environment on health, as well as potential negative effects arising from social inequality and exclusion. This systematic review assesses the current evidence, and identifies gaps in knowledge, on the associations and interactions between social capital and socioeconomic inequalities in health.MethodsThrough this systematic review we identified studies on the interactions between social capital and socioeconomic inequalities in health published before July 2012.ResultsThe literature search resulted in 618 studies after removal of duplicates, of which 60 studies were eligible for analysis. Self-reported measures of health were most frequently used, together with different bonding, bridging and linking components of social capital. A large majority, 56 studies, confirmed a correlation between social capital and socioeconomic inequalities in health. Twelve studies reported that social capital might buffer negative health effects of low socioeconomic status and five studies concluded that social capital has a stronger positive effect on health for people with a lower socioeconomic status.ConclusionsThere is evidence for both a buffer effect and a dependency effect of social capital on socioeconomic inequalities in health, although the studies that assess these interactions are limited in number. More evidence is needed, as identified hypotheses have implications for community action and for action on the structural causes of social inequalities.

Received and needed social support in relation to sociodemographic and socio‐economic factors in a population of people on sick leave due to heart failure

“…It has previously been described that socio‐economic deprivation implies health inequalities for people with heart failure 19, 21. In addition, a review from 2013 states that people with lower socio‐economic status commonly have lower social capital than people with higher socio‐economic status,22 and low social capital was described as associated with inequalities in health 22. Thus, the present findings that showed that primarily people with lower income disagreed to the statements about received support and perceived they needed more support from different sources were in line with previous studies.…”

“…Therefore, different individuals can have different reasons for wanting or needing to get back to work. Social capital, such as social support from family and friends or managers and colleagues at work, can buffer some negative effects that lower socio‐economic status can have on health 22. Furthermore, to feel valued and appreciated can have major impact on people's self‐image and identity 25.…”

Capital social de las mujeres mayores usuarias de la red pública de la Atención Primaria de Salud

“…Se ha señalado que a mayor capital social hay mejor salud y mejor autopercepción de salud, especialmente en personas con enfermedades crónicas. Para la oferta de servicios de salud preventivos y curativos, es importante tener en cuenta que en casos de menor capital social individual, el capital social comunitario ejercería un rol compensatorio y de reciprocidad entre las redes en la adaptación de las personas a los desafíos que provocan las enfermedades crónicas, especialmente en grupos socialmente vulnerables 19,20 . La confianza de las personas estaría más vinculada con la salud mental de la comunidad 14 .…”

“…La literatura indica, por una parte, que no existe consenso respecto al impacto del capital social de puente en la salud de las personas mayores y, por otra, que hay una débil reciprocidad entre mayor participación ciudadana con mejores oportunidades de acceso a los recursos institucionales y el cuidado individual de la salud 22,23 . En este estudio se encontró una correlación negativa significativa del arraigo territorial con el capital social total y sus componentes.…”

“…Las personas con mayores niveles de confianza en el contexto externo y mayor participación ciudadana presentarían mayor resiliencia y reportan mejor condición de salud [24][25][26][27][28] . Lo anteriormente señalado, está refrendado por los antecedentes epidemiológicos que confirman la relación entre diferentes mediciones de capital social y el nivel de salud especialmente, en países con desigualdad social 20,23 . El mecanismo psicosocial, representado por el capital social, muestra que el mayor número de relaciones sociales mejora la calidad de vida, mejora el acceso a los centros de salud y disminuye la probabilidad de muerte por enfermedades cerebrovasculares, cáncer, obesidad, suicidio y determinantes como tabaco, estrés psicosocial y consumo de alcohol 23,29,30 .…”