Social capital and risk and protective behaviors: a global health perspective

Abstract

Social capital and health research has emerged as a focus of contemporary behavioral epidemiology, while intervention research is seeking more effective measures to increase health protective behaviors and decrease health-risk behaviors. In this review we explored current literature on social capital and health outcomes at the micro-, mesa-, and macro-levels with a particular emphasis on research that incorporates a social capital framework, and adolescent and young adult engagement in risk behaviors. These data indicate that across a broad range of socio-cultural and economic contexts, social capital can affect individuals' risk for negative health outcomes and their engagement in risk behaviors. Further research is needed which should focus on differentiating and measuring positive and negative social capital within both mainstream and alternative social networks, assessing how social constructions of gender, ethnicity, and race – within specific cultural contexts – mediate the relationship between social capital and risk and/or protective behaviors. This new research should integrate the existing research within historical socioeconomic and political conditions. In addition, social capital scales need to be developed to be both culturally and developmentally appropriate for use with adolescents living in a diversity of settings. Despite the proliferation of social capital research, the concept remains underutilized in both assessment and intervention development for adolescents' and young adults' engagement in risk behaviors and their associated short- and long-term poor health outcomes.

Measuring Social Capital Investment: Scale Development and Examination of Links to Social Capital and Perceived Stress

“…Derived from economics and finance, social capital theory has successfully guided numerous researchers in advancing our understanding of the impact of social factors on health in both developed and developing countries across the globe (Murayama et al 2012; Kaljee and Chen 2011). Converging evidence from diverse sources strongly suggests the existence of a positive relationship between social capital and health at the individual (Berkman et al 2000; Chen et al 2009a, 2011; Nieminen et al 2010; Norstrand and Xu 2012; Poortinga 2006), community (Bartkowski and Xu 2007; Lochner et al 2003; Miller et al 2006; Poortinga 2006), national and global levels (Kawachi et al 1997; Kennelly et al 2003).…”

Gender Differences in Vulnerability to Socioeconomic Status on Self-Rated Health in 15 Countries

“…While education has a protective effect on health (55), some of this protective effect may be due to income (56). We showed that in some countries, education and income have independent effects, and that in some other countries education, but not income, has independent effects.…”

Populist Upheavals: What can we do?

“…The polarity of views and acts of aggression against immigrants or even all foreigners cause anxiety, identity and even personality disorders [31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38]. This obstructs social and economic development [39].…”

“…It is necessary to understand what the real possibilities are of the peaceful coexistence of Muslims and Christians, what the content is of the most common and deepest ethnic and cultural prejudices [33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43]. We have to understand why the Christian message is not a guideline of conduct and even the recommendations of the sovereignty of the church are rejected [44].…”