Testing the Importance of Geographic Distance for Social Capital Resources

Abstract

This study tests the importance of spatial distance from social capital resources for the number of resources accessed. We examine the relationship between the distance to work, religious congregations, and organizations on the level of social capital. Theory posits that increased time spent commuting decreases social capital; we posit that increased distance traveled to sites of social capital generation limits neighborhood social capital but increases capital access at generation sites. We measured social capital with the Resource Generator–United States and used negative binomial regression to estimate the association between distance and number of resources accessed. Social capital resource access is higher with increased distance traveled to civic organizations. Distance from work and religious congregations does not affect social capital; distance to work erodes neighborhood social capital. These findings are counter to current theory and suggest that people are willing to travel to organizations where social capital is built.