Conceptualizing and Measuring Bonding Social Capital in Low-Income Neighborhoods

Abstract

As social capital continues to grow as a strategy for achieving improved outcomes for families in poverty, it is crucial to have more accurate definitions and measures of the concept. This study defines one aspect of social capital as bonding in low-income urban neighborhoods. In the context of this study, bonding social capital in low-income urban neighborhoods refers to the trusting relationships that exist among neighbors. This study tests the reliability and validity of a bonding social capital measure using five items of social cohesion and trust that are widely used in the field and were originally developed by the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods (PHDCN). Survey data collected in 2002 and 2003 from 7,437 respondents living in low-income urban neighborhoods and participating in the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Making Connections initiative are used to test the measurement properties of bonding social capital in low-income urban neighborhoods. Findings suggest that two of the five items could be revised to strengthen the measure. Findings also suggest that future research should focus on the measurement and modeling of specific aspects of social capital to accurately understand effects for families living in low-income neighborhoods.