Social capital
The concept of social capital may offer an explanation to the observed inequalities in morbidity and mortality by occupational social class and material standard of living (McKenzie 2002).
Social capital is described as the glue of society and it is belived that groups that are lacking in social capital may result in higher risks of mental illness.
It is defined as 'features of social life - networks, norms, and trust - that enable participants to act together more effectively to pursue shared objectives' (Putnam, 1996).
Social capital is a property of groups rather than of individuals. It can be broken down into structural and cognitive social capital. Structural components refer to roles, rules, precedents, behaviours, networks and institutions. These may bond individuals in groups to each other, bridge divides between societal groups or vertically integrate groups with different levels of power and influence in a society, leading to social inclusion. Cognitive social capital describes the values, attitudes and beliefs that produce cooperative behaviour (Colletta & Cullen, 2000).
Colletta & Cullen (2000) Violent Conflict and the Transformation of Social Capital. Washington, DC: International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/World Bank.
McKenzie (2002) Social capital and mental health. The British Journal of Psychiatry 181: 280-283
Putnam (1996) The strange disappearance of civic America. The American Prospect, 7, 1-18.
Social capital is described as the glue of society and it is belived that groups that are lacking in social capital may result in higher risks of mental illness.
It is defined as 'features of social life - networks, norms, and trust - that enable participants to act together more effectively to pursue shared objectives' (Putnam, 1996).
Social capital is a property of groups rather than of individuals. It can be broken down into structural and cognitive social capital. Structural components refer to roles, rules, precedents, behaviours, networks and institutions. These may bond individuals in groups to each other, bridge divides between societal groups or vertically integrate groups with different levels of power and influence in a society, leading to social inclusion. Cognitive social capital describes the values, attitudes and beliefs that produce cooperative behaviour (Colletta & Cullen, 2000).
Colletta & Cullen (2000) Violent Conflict and the Transformation of Social Capital. Washington, DC: International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/World Bank.
McKenzie (2002) Social capital and mental health. The British Journal of Psychiatry 181: 280-283
Putnam (1996) The strange disappearance of civic America. The American Prospect, 7, 1-18.
