Low Social Capital Research Articles

Community-Based Cognitive Social Capital and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults in Urban China: The Moderating Role of Family Social Capital.

The present study examined the moderating role of family social capital in the relationship between community-based cognitive social capital and depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults in urban China. Cross-sectional data were derived from a community survey conducted in Suzhou, China, in late 2015. Data from 441 respondents were included in the final analysis. Multiple group analysis was used to test the hypotheses. The latent construct of community-based cognitive social capital was based on trust and reciprocity indicators. Measurement invariance was established across groups with high or low family social capital. The results show that family social capital had a moderation effect on the relationship between community-based cognitive social capital and depressive symptoms. The effects of community-based cognitive social capital on depressive symptoms were higher among those with low family social capital. The findings demonstrate the interplay between family and community-based cognitive social capital. Policy and intervention implications are discussed.

A pathway analysis of exploring how HIV-related stigma affects social capital among people living with HIV/AIDS in China

ABSTRACTHIV-related stigma is the most common and serious social problem which people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) have to face. However, the impact of HIV stigma on social capital is not yet clear. Therefore, this study aims to understand the relationship between HIV stigma and social capital, and explore the mechanism of how HIV stigma influences social capital among Chinese PLWHA on this basis. An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from Nov 2015 to Jan 2016 in Wuhan, China, using a self-reporting questionnaire. A total of 552 PLWHA participated, and 520 valid questionnaires were included. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that lower education level, lower monthly income, higher internalized stigma, and anticipated stigma were significantly associated with lower social capital. Results of path analysis showed that although perceived community stigma has no direct effect on social capital, but it can affect social capital through internalized stigma and anticipated stigma. In conclusion, increased HIV stigma and reduced social capital are frequent among PLWHA in China. Perceived community stigma may cause PLWHA to internalize stigma and anticipate stigmatizing experiences, resulting in the reduction of social capital. These findings suggest that perceived community stigma should become the target of stigma intervention strategy among Chinese PLWHA.

Alternative Facts in Peer-to-Peer Loans? Borrower Misreporting Dynamics and Implications

Inaccuracy of borrower-provided information in marketplace loans for credit card debt repayment and consolidation contains information about credit risk. I identify inaccuracies based on three indicators: consistency of loan amount with outstanding credit balance, roundness of reported income, and roundness of chosen loan amount. An Inaccuracy Index constructed from these indicators has significant predictive power over the likelihood of default, and the additional default risk is not compensated by higher interest. Inaccurate information is more prevalent in areas with lower social capital, implying weaker social norms, among borrowers whose professions are considered less honest, and among borrowers with higher genuine income uncertainty.

Social capital and health care access among the older adults in Bangladesh

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the association between social capital (SC) and health care access problem among the older people in Bangladesh.Design/methodology/approachThis study applied a random sampling method to select 310 older adults (all aged 60 years) in Bangladesh. Exploratory factor analysis was employed to extract SC dimensions. Logistic regression was applied to measure the association of SC dimensions and access.FindingsThe logistic regression result shows that with a one-unit increase in social network, norms of reciprocity, and civic participation, health care access problem will be decreased by OR= 0.732 (95% CI =0.529–1.014); OR=0.641 (95% CI = 0.447–0.919); and OR=0.748 (95% CI = 0.556–1.006) units. Respondents who have economic hardship were 3.211 (OR=3.211, CI = 0.84–5.59) times more likely to say that they had health care access problem compared with who had no economic hardship.Research limitations/implicationsThe study showed that the lower level of SC and presence of economic hardship increased the probability to health care access problem among the older people. Improving SC may be helpful in reducing health care access problem. However, economic hardship reductions are also important to reduce the health care access problem. Improving SC and reducing economic hardship thus should be implemented at the same time.Practical implicationsThe study showed that low SC and economic hardship increased the probability to health care access problem. Improving SC may be helpful in reducing health inequity. However, economic hardship reductions also important to health care access. Therefore, improving SC and reducing economic hardship should be implemented at the same time.Originality/valueThis study has a great policy importance in regard to reducing health care access problem among the older adult in Bangladesh as SC has a potential to bring about a concomitant improvement in the condition of the health care access.

Social capital and factors associated with the caries experience in adults - a population-based study in Brazil.

The objective of this study was to investigate the experience of caries related to social capital and associated factors in adults in large-scale population-based study. A Cross-sectional study was performed in 163 municipalities in the State of São Paulo, Brazil (SBSP-2015). 17,560 people were evaluated, of which 6051 were adults aged 35-44 years. Hierarchical logistic regression analysis was proposed. Outcome variables (decayed teeth, missing teeth and DMFT) and independent variables were included in the model, considering the distal (income and schooling); intermediate (social capital) and proximal levels (sex and ethnicity). Results showed that income up to 1,500 reais - US$ 367.6 in 11/11/2019 - (OR = 1.91;1.75-2.08), schooling up to 8 years (OR = 1.32;1.12-1.56) and non-white ethnicity (OR = 1.54;1.35-1.76) were more likely to have decayed teeth. Income up to 1500 reais (OR = 1.29;1.15-1.44), schooling up to 8 years (OR = 2.13;1.90-2.38), low social capital (OR = 1.84;1.65-2.04), medium social capital (OR = 1.15;1.01-1.30) and females were more likely to have lost teeth (OR = 1.13;1.03-1.23). Schooling up to 8 years (OR = 1.51;1.35-1.69), low social capital (OR = 1.25; 1.14-1.37) and female (OR = 1.40,1.19-1.53) were associated with DMFT. It was concluded that sociodemographic factors and low social capital were associated with the experience of caries, which should be taken into account in the formulation of public policies.

The Effect of Community Health Center on Visual Acetic Acid Uptake in Pati, Central Java

Background: Cervical cancer is included in the category of malignant tumors that arise in the cervix of women. The incidence of cervical cancer is high due to lack of awareness to make efforts to examine early detection of cervical cancer by using the visual inspection acetic acid (VIA) method. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of community health center on the use of VIA. Subjects dan Method: This was an analytic observational study with a cross sectional design. was The study was conducted at 29 community health centers in Pati, Central Java. A sample of 232 women was selected by simple random sampling. The dependent variable was VIA uptake. The independent variable were perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, cues to action, perceived threat, perceived benefit, perceived barrier, self-efficacy, economic status, and social capital. The data were collected by questionnaire and analyzed by a multilevel multiple logistic regression run on Stata 13. Result: Community health center had a contextual effect on VIA uptake with intra-class correlation (ICC)= 16.91%. VIA uptake increased with high perceived susceptibility (b= 3.21; 95% CI= 0.22 to 6.19; p = 0.035), high perceived seriousness (b= 4.68; 95% CI= 1.06 to 8.29; p= 0.011), high perceived threat (b= 4.03; 95% CI= 0.61 to 7.45; p= 0.021), high perceived barrier (b= 2.48; 95% CI= 0.06 to 4.91; p= 0.044), high perceived benefit (b= 2.50; 95% CI= 0.10 to 4.91; p= 0.041), and high economic status (b= 11.22; 95% CI= 3.64 to 18.81; p= 0.004). VIA uptake decreased with low cues to action (b= -0.92; 95% CI= -3.08 to 1.24; p= 0.405), low self-efficacy (b= -0.32; 95% CI= -2.45 to 1.80; p= 0.765), and low social capital (b= 0.79; 95% CI= 3.64 to 18.81; p= 0.562). Conclusion: Community health center had a contextual effect on VIA uptake. VIA uptake increases with high perceived susceptibility, high perceived seriousness, high perceived threat, high perceived barrier, high perceived benefit, and high economic status. VIA uptake decreases with low cues to action, low self-efficacy, and low social capital. Keywords : Community Community health center, Acetic Acid Visual Inspection. Correspondence: Retno Wulan. Masters Program of Public Health, Universitas Sebelas Maret, JL. Ir.Sutami 36A, Surakarta, Central Jawa, Indonesia. E-mail: wuland.cimmutzz12@gmail.com. Mobile: 0857­4096­9271. Journal of Health Promotion and Behavior (2019), 4(3): 189-197 https://doi.org/10.26911/thejhpb.2019.04.03.04

Opioid Epidemic in the United States: Empirical Trends, and A Literature Review of Social Determinants and Epidemiological, Pain Management, and Treatment Patterns.

Objectives:Dramatic increases in opioid and drug overdose mortality have occurred in the United States (US) over the past two decades. To address this national public health crisis and identify gaps in the literature, we analyzed recent empirical trends in US drug overdose mortality by key social determinants and conducted a selective review of the recent literature on the magnitude of the opioid crisis facing different racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, and rural-urban segments of the US population.Methods:We used the 1999-2017 mortality data from the US National Vital Statistics System to analyze trends in drug overdose mortality by race/ethnicity, age, and geographic area. Log-linear regression was used to model mortality trends. Using various key words and their combinations, we searched PubMed and Google Scholar for select peer-reviewed journal articles and government reports published on the opioid epidemic between 2010 and 2018.Results:Our original analysis and review indicate marked increases in drug overdose mortality overall and by race/ethnicity and geographic regions, with adolescents and young adults experiencing steep increases in mortality between 1999 and 2017. Our selective search yielded 405 articles, of which 39 publications were selected for detailed review. Suicide mortality from drug overdose among teens aged 12-19 increased consistently between 2009 and 2017, particularly among teen girls. The rise of efficient global supply chains has increased opioid prescription use and undoubtedly contributed to the opioid epidemic. Many other important contributing factors to the epidemic include lack of education and economic opportunities, poor working conditions, and low social capital in disadvantaged communities.Conclusions and Global Health Implications:Our analysis and review indicate substantial disparities in drug overdoses and related mortality, pain management, and treatment outcomes according to social determinants. Increases in drug overdoses and resultant mortality are not only unique to the US, but have also been observed in other industrialized countries. Healthcare systems, community leaders, and policymakers addressing the opioid epidemic should focus on upstream structural factors including education, economic opportunity, social cohesion, racial/ethnic disadvantage, geographic isolation, and life satisfaction.

Determinants of social capital formation among organic and conventional smallholder producers in Karnataka, India

The organic farming aims to create a sustainable agricultural production system. The notion of organic farming extends beyond particular agronomic practices to encompass cooperation and networking among stakeholders. This paper describes findings from a survey conducted with 200 smallholder producers in Indian state of Karnataka with an objective to examine social capital formation in different networks of organic and conventional farming systems. First, we determine the factors that motivate social capital (cognitive and structural) formation among organic and conventional farmers; and then analyze their social capital levels focusing on micro-level cognitive and structural capital. The results reveal a significant difference between both the two communities in respect of social trust, collective action, associated-ness and satisfaction, and these make us to conclude that the organic farmers have a higher level of participation in different formal, informal and social organizations than do the conventional farmers. Overall, the organic farming community is at a higher level of social capital compared to the conventional farming community. Further, within the organic farming community those having higher social capital have effective market linkages than the farmers with lower social capital.

Differences in selected areas of social capital regarding residence

Introduction.In addition to a massive increase in interest in the concept of social capital in the social sciences, the research has shown its considerable impact on various areas of human life. OECD points to the correlation between social capital and health and points out that social isolation is associated with misery and disease.Aim.The contribution aims at pointing out the differences in selected indicators of social capital, focusing on the participation and social involvement of respondents in their place of residence.Results.Quantitative research was conducted using the questionnaire method, which was compiled from the Social Capital Question Bank database, covered by the UK Statistical Office. Result Cluster analysis divided respondents into those with higher and lower social capital, and comparative analysis showed significant differences in selected indicators of social capital between urban and rural respondents.Conclusions.Respondents from cities and rural areas differ in the level of social capital in our areas of interest: Participation or involvement in local groups, Political activity or voting, Taking positive action about a local issue, Participation in religious activity, Completed or received a practical favour, Familiarity with neighbourhood, Provide regular service, help or care for others.

Ethnic diversity and social capital of the Podlaskie voivodeship

Purpose – An assessment of the level of social capital in the context of ethnic diversity using the example of the Podlaskie voivodeship. Furthermore, showing the relationship between social capital and local and regional development. Research method – Quantitative and comparative analyses of selected indicators of the surveyed territorialunits (powiats of the Podlaskie Voivodeship) while maintaining the criterion of ethnic diversity. Data from the Central Statistical Office (Local Data Bank) and the National Electoral Commission for the period 2010-2018 were used. Results – The level of social capital is higher in multi-ethnic powiats, in particular as far as the civic dimension is concerned, which is measured by the use of passive and active voting rights. Similarly, the number of foundations, associations and social organizations per 1,000 inhabitants is higher in multiethnic powiats. As far as the level of entrepreneurship is concerned, the majority of powiats of diversified nationalities is insignificant, while single-nation powiats have higher rates in relation to membership in sports clubs.Originality / value / implications / recommendations – A thesis which is popular in the subject literature that ethnically diverse areas are characterized by lower social capital is not true in the case of the Podlaskie voivodeship, in which ethnic groups have been present for centuries. Consequently, it may be assumed that ethnic diversity has a negative impact on the level of social capital only temporarily.

Social Capital and Survival Strategies of the Poor in the Rural Community in Aceh, Indonesia

This study aims to examine how the relationship between social capital and poverty in poor households in Aceh. Our analysis tries to explain how social capital affects the opportunities of a poor household to get out of poverty. From statistical tests using logistic regression, the social capital that is owned will increase the chances of getting out of poverty by 0.576 times greater than the people who have low social capital. The highest chance of getting out of poverty is 0.86 times greater. While the head of a woman's household causes the opportunity to become poor 0.46 times greater than the head of a male household. Social capital is an asset owned by the people of Aceh that can provide them with ways to survive and get out of poverty or at least continue to survive even in poor conditions. Networks or involvement in organizations that are built in society, trust and cooperation are a form of social capital that has a contribution in how to survive. in this case, social capital becomes a strength or potential that can be developed to empower the poor.

Does social capital moderate the association between children's emotional overeating and parental stress? A cross-sectional study of the stress-buffering hypothesis in a sample of mother-child dyads.

Parental stress has been shown associated with children's eating behaviors. The stress-buffering hypothesis suggests that social resources, i.e., resources accessed via one's social networks, may prevent or attenuate the impact of stress on health. Prior research on the stress-buffering hypothesis has found evidence for the protective effects of social support (emotional, instrumental, or informational resources available in a person's life); less is known about social capital (resources available through one's social networks) as a stress buffer. Further, these studies have often examined the association between a person's direct access to social resources and their health; less research has examined whether the benefits of social resources may extend two degrees from parents to their children. Using data from a community-based birth cohort of mother-child dyads, this study examined whether mother's social capital moderated the association between maternal stress and children's emotional overeating (EO). Mothers completed health questionnaires on an annual basis and a one-time social network questionnaire in 2011-2012. EO was measured using the Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire. Maternal stress was measured using the 18-item Parental Stress Scale. Social capital was measured using a position generator and based on the number of occupations to which a mother had access. Poisson regression analysis was used. Results showed that mother's social capital moderated the positive association between greater maternal stress and children's EO, such that maternal stress was associated with children's EO in only those mothers with low social capital. This study suggests that social capital may disrupt the transmission of maternal stress from parent to child, thereby playing a potential role in the production and reproduction of health inequalities.

The role of neighborhoods in household food insufficiency: Considering interactions between physical disorder, low social capital, violence, and perceptions of danger

RationaleFood insecurity is a significant public health concern, with implications for community and individual health and well-being. Although a growing body of literature points to the role of neighborhoods in household food insecurity, studies using nationally representative samples to explore interactions between neighborhood risks – including violence and danger – are lacking. ObjectiveThe present study examines whether interactions between physical disorder, low social capital, and violence/danger in the neighborhood have significant implications for the risk of household food insufficiency using a large, nationally representative sample of U.S. children and their families. MethodData are from the 2016 National Survey of Children's Health, a survey of a cross-sectional weighted probability sample of U.S. children from 0 to 17 years of age. Multinomial logistic regression techniques were used to analyze the data. ResultsNeighborhood risk factors interacted to predict household food insufficiency, with the confluence of low social capital and violence/danger yielding the strongest effects. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that food hardship should be addressed within the context of neighborhood revitalization. The risk of food insufficiency among children and families in especially high-risk ecological contexts might be ameliorated with the provision of informal and formal sources of nutrition assistance and support.

Longitudinal associations between organizational change, work-unit social capital, and employee exit from the work unit among public healthcare workers: a mediation analysis.

Objectives Organizational changes are associated with higher rates of subsequent employee exit from the workplace, but the mediating role of social capital is unknown. We examined the associations between organizational changes and subsequent employee exit from the work unit and mediation through social capital. Methods Throughout 2013, 14 059 healthcare employees worked in the Capital Region of Denmark. Data on work-unit changes (yes/no) from July‒December 2013 were collected via a survey distributed to all managers (merger, split-up, relocation, change of management, employee layoff, budget cuts). Eight employee-reported items assessing social capital were aggregated into work-unit measures (quartiles: low-high). Data on employee exit from the work unit in 2014 were obtained from company registries. Results We found a somewhat higher rate of employee exit from the work unit after changes versus no changes [hazard ratio (HR) 1.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.19] and an inverse dose‒response relationship between social capital and employee-exit rates (low versus high: HR 1.65, 95% CI 1.46-1.86). We also showed a higher risk of low social capital in work units exposed to changes [low versus high: odds ratio (OR) 2.04, 95% CI 1.86-2.23]. Accounting for potential mediation through social capital seemed slightly to reduce the association between changes and employee-exit rates (HR 1.07, 95% CI 0.98-1.16 versus HR 1.10). Conclusions Work-unit organizational changes prospectively predict lower work-unit social capital, and lower social capital is associated with higher employee-exit rates. Detection of weak indications of mediation through social capital, if any, were limited by inconsistent associations between changes and employee exit from the work unit.

The prevalence of edentulism and their related factors in Indonesia, 2014/15

BackgroundLittle information exists about the loss of all one’s teeth (edentulism) among older adults in Indonesia. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of edentulism and associated factors among older adults in Indonesia.MethodThis study examines the self-reported prevalence of edentulism and associated factors among older adults (50 years and older) in a cross-sectional national study using the Indonesia Family Life Survey IFLS-5, 2014/15. The community-based study uses a multi-stage stratified sampling design to interview and assess household members, with a household response rate of over 90%.ResultsThe overall prevalence of edentulism was 7.2, 29.8% in 80 years and older and 11.8% in those with no formal education. In adjusted Poisson regression analysis, older age, living in five major island groups and having functional disability were associated with edentulism. In addition, among men, having quit and current tobacco use and among women, having low social capital were associated with edentulism. Further, in adjusted analysis, among men, edentulism was positively associated with hypertension and negatively associated with diabetes, and among women, edentulism was associated with functional disability.ConclusionsResults suggest that overall and/or among men or women that older age, living in five major island groups, having functional disability, tobacco quitters and users and those with low social capital was associated with edentulism. The identified associated factors of edentulism may be utilized in oral health programmes targeting older adults in Indonesia.

Workplace social capital and mental health: a cross-sectional study among Iranian workers

BackgroundThe psychosocial environment of the workplace has received less attention in terms of occupational health. Trust, social network and social cohesion at the workplace (that is, factors related to social capital) may have effects on employee health. Thus, the objective of this study was to examine the association between workplace social capital and mental health among Iranian workers.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, data were obtained from 5 factories in Babol, Northern Iran, in 2016, where 280 workers responded to a survey on social capital at work and psychosocial distress.ResultsApproximately 23.6% of the workers had psychological distress, and 23.4% had low social capital in the workplace. There was a significant relationship between mental health and individual workplace social capital (p = 0.025) and aggregated workplace social capital (p = 0.027). After controlling for each individual’s characteristics, the prevalence ratio of psychological distress was 2.11 (95% CI: 1.43-3.17) times higher among workers with low individual social capital, and low aggregated workplace social capital was associated with 2.64 (95% CI: 1.28–5.45) times higher odds of psychological distress.ConclusionHigher social capital is associated with a reduced risk of psychological distress. The promotion of social capital can be considered as a means to increase workplace mental health among workers.

Community-level social capital, parental psychological distress, and child physical abuse: a multilevel mediation analysis.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between community-level social capital and physical abuse towards children, and the mediating effect of parental psychological distress by multilevel mediation analyses. We analyzed data from a population-based study of first-grade elementary school children (6-7years old) in Adachi City, Tokyo, Japan. The caregivers of first-grade students from all elementary schools in Adachi City (N = 5355) were asked to respond to a questionnaire assessing parents' self-reported physical abuse (beating and hitting) and neighborhood social capital. Among them, 4291 parents returned valid responses (response rate 80.1%). We performed multilevel analyses to determine the relationships between community-level parental social capital and physical abuse, and further multilevel mediation analyses were performed to determine whether parental psychological distress mediated the association. Low community-level social capital was positively associated with physical abuse (both beating and hitting) after adjustment for other individual covariates (beating: middle, OR = 1.54, 95% CI 1.11-2.13; low, OR = 1.33, 95% CI 0.94-1.88; and hitting: middle, OR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.02-1.80; low, OR = 1.16, 95% CI 0.86-1.57). Multilevel mediation analyses revealed that community-level parental psychological distress did not mediate the association (indirect effect ß = 0.10, 95% CI - 0.10 to 0.29, p = 0.34 for beating; ß = 0.03, 95% CI - 0.16 to 0.23, p = 0.74 for hitting). Fostering community-level social capital might be important for developing a strategy to prevent child maltreatment, which may have a direct impact on abusive behavior towards children.

Association Between Community Social Capital and Hospital Readmission Rates.

Hospital readmissions remain frequent, and are partly attributable to patients' social needs. The authors sought to examine whether local community levels of social capital are associated with hospital readmission rates. Social capital refers to the connections among members of a society that foster norms of reciprocity and trust, which may influence the availability of support for postdischarge recovery after hospitalization. Associations between hospital-wide, risk-stratified readmission rates for hospitals in the United States (n = 4298) and levels of social capital in the hospitals' service areas were examined. Social capital was measured by an index of participation in associational activities and civic affairs. A multivariate linear regression model was used to adjust for hospital and community factors such as hospital financial performance, race, income, and availability of heath care services. Results showed that higher social capital was significantly associated with lower readmission rates (P < .01), a finding that held across income-stratified analyses as well as sensitivity analyses that included hospital performance on process quality measures and hospital community engagement activities. A hospital is unlikely to be able to influence prevailing levels of social capital in its region, but in areas of low social capital, it may be possible for public or philanthropic sectors to buttress the types of institutions that address nonmedical causes of readmission.

The Geography of Alternative Work

More than 20 million Americans are affiliated with Multi-Level Marketing firms (MLMs), but there is little empirical evidence on who participates in this controversial part of today's labor market. We link data on 350,000 individuals cited in an FTC settlement with one of the largest MLMs to detailed county-level information. We find that participation is greater in areas with higher median income and where women are absent from the labor market, suggesting value in flexible work. However, losses are correlated with higher inequality and lower social capital, suggesting that the pitfalls accrue to vulnerable groups.

Social Capital, Depressive Symptoms, and HIV Viral Suppression Among Young Black, Gay, Bisexual and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men Living with HIV.

Social capital, the sum of an individual's resource-containing social network connections, has been proposed as a facilitator of successful HIV care engagement. We explored relationships between social capital, psychological covariates (depression, stigma and internalized homonegativity), and viral suppression in a sample of young Black gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (YB-GBMSM). We recruited 81 HIV-positive YB-GBMSM 18-24years of age from a clinic setting. Participants completed a cross-sectional survey, and HIV-1 viral load (VL) measurements were extracted from the medical record. Sixty-five percent (65%) were virally suppressed (HIV-1 VL ≤ 40 copies/ml). Forty-seven percent (47%) had a positive depression screen. Depressive symptoms affected viral suppression differently in YB-GBMSM with lower vs. higher social capital (p = 0.046, test for statistical interaction between depression and social capital). The odds of viral suppression among YB-GBMSM with lower social capital was 93% lower among those with depressive symptoms (OR 0.07, p = 0.002); however, there was no association between depressive symptoms and viral suppression among those with higher social capital. Our results suggest that social capital may buffer the strong negative effects of depressive symptoms on clinical outcomes in YB-GBMSM living with HIV. In addition to treating depression, there is a role for interventions to augment social capital among YB-GBMSM living with HIV as a strategy for enhancing care engagement.