Mental Health and Social Policy: Mental Health and Social Policy Lecture 6 Social Capital and Mental Health


Social capital: Social capital By ‘‘social capital’’, I mean features of social life networks, norms, and trust that enable participants to act together more effectively to pursue shared objectives’ (Putnam, 1996).


Social capital and mental health : Social capital and mental health Social capital is is a property of groups rather than of individuals. The nature of social capital distinguishes it from social networks and social support, which are properties of individuals.


Characteristics of Social Capital: Characteristics of Social Capital Collective efficacy, Social trust/reciprocity, Participation in voluntary organisations Social integration for mutual benefit


Slide5: “..social capital directs attention to the relationships that shape the realization of human capital’s potential for the individual and collective” (Schuller 2001: 19). Understanding Social Capital


Understanding Social Capital: Understanding Social Capital While “human capital can be understood to encompass social as well as technical skills, social capital brings to the fore the social networks and values through which skill portfolios generally are built, deployed and rewarded” (ibid: 21). Cullen & Whiteford 2001


Aspects of social capital: Aspects of social capital Multi dimensional concept ‘Structural’ social capital behavioural/activity component (e.g. participation) ‘Cognitive’ social capital cognitive/perceptual component (e.g. trust). ‘Bonding’ social capital refers to linkages and perceptions in relation to people who are similar to each other ‘Bridging’ social capital refers to linkages to different others, such as people outside one’s community ‘Linking’ social capital occurs through formal institutions such as between a community and local government structures


Slide8: Social, economic and ‘natural’ capital


Slide9: Human & Social Capital


Slide10: A model of social capital


High social capital : High social capital Protects members from social isolation Creates social safety nets that can be tapped during crisis Improves or ameliorates political aspects of society, such as the functioning of democracy, more efficient governments, and decreased corruption Leads to lower levels of inequality within a society Lowers crime levels Leads to improved well-being and a higher quality of life Improves cooperation and mutual aid.


Research findings: Research findings People in the lowest categories of social capital increased risk of psychiatric morbidity and (McCulloch 2001) Those in the lowest categories of social disorganisation lower rates of some health problems. (McCulloch 2001)


Research findings: Research findings Evidence for an inverse relation between cognitive social capital and common mental disorders. Moderate evidence for an inverse relation between cognitive social capital and child mental illness. Moderate evidence for inverse relations between combined measures of social capital and common mental disorders. (De Silva et al, 2005)


Further Reading: Further Reading De Silva, M. J., McKenzie, K., Harpham, T., & Huttly, S. R. A. (2005). Social capital and mental illness: a systematic review. J Epidemiol Community Health, 59(8), 619-627. McCulloch, A. (2001). Social environments and health: cross sectional national survey. BMJ, 323(7306), 208-209.