SOCIAL CAPITAL FORMATION AND INTRA FAMILIAL CORRELATION: A SOCIAL PANEL PERSPECTIVE

2009 ◽  
Vol 54 (03) ◽  
pp. 473-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHRISTOPH HAUSER ◽  
MICHAEL PFAFFERMAYR ◽  
GOTTFRIED TAPPEINER ◽  
JANETTE WALDE

Social capital is widely regarded to constitute an important indicator for the economic performance of a society. This paper analyzes the impact of various socio-demographic characteristics on social capital. Proxy variables for social capital are obtained from a comprehensive principal components analysis exercise using survey data from the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS). The BHPS provides information on social and economic change at the individual and household levels in Britain and the UK with an annual survey of ca. 10,000 individuals from ca. 5,000 households. Based on the 13th wave of this database, we investigate the impact of exogenous qualities, individually acquired characteristics, and of the social environment using a spatial auto-regression framework. The results show that the formation of social capital can be modeled to a very high degree of statistical accuracy. The structural effect from the households contributes substantially to the social capital level of each household member. Thus, the social capital formation can be based equally on individual measures (such as education) and social contagion processes.

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 704-718
Author(s):  
Fang Xiong ◽  
Jia Lu You

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact paths of the social capital and the effects of microfinance in rural China, and address effective methods to enhance the effects of microfinance for rural China. Design/methodology/approach Using a structural equation model with survey data from 350 rural households in China, this paper analyzes empirically whether greater level of social sanctions and social relations caused more tangible effects of microfinance, and whether tangible effects of microfinance are associated with social capital formation of households. Findings The results indicate that social capital promotes the effects of microfinance and the process of providing microfinance service is also the process of building social capital. Moreover, social sanctions diminish the effects of microfinance while social relations boost them and enhance the effects of microfinance that can encourage social capital formation. Results also show that a reverse causal relationship exists between social sanctions and social relations. Research limitations/implications The empirical results imply that actively utilizing and creating social capital is vital to improve the effects of microfinance, and microfinance institutions (MFIs) should concentrate more on harmonious social relations and deliberately build social capital. Practical implications These findings imply that actively utilizing and creating social capital is vital to improve the effects of microfinance, and the MFIs should concentrate more on harmonious social relations and deliberately build social capital to enhance the effects of microfinance while prudently use social sanctions. Social implications Enhancing the effects of microfinance, while prudently using social sanctions, increases households income. Originality/value This paper originates to investigate the links between the social capital and the effects of microfinance in a mutual way, and the results urge more attentions on the harmonious social relations which have been ignored to enhance the effects of microfinance.


Author(s):  
Chloe C. Dedryver ◽  
Cécile Knai

(1) Background: Social connectivity is key to young people’s mental health. Local assets facilitate social connection, but were largely inaccessible during the pandemic. This study consequently investigates the social isolation of young adults and their use of local assets during the COVID-19 lockdowns in the UK. (2) Methods: Fifteen semi-structured Zoom interviews were undertaken with adults aged 18–24 in the UK. Recruitment took place remotely, and transcripts were coded and analysed thematically. (3) Results: Digital assets were key to young people’s social connectivity, but their use was associated with stress, increased screen time and negative mental health outcomes. The lockdowns impacted social capital, with young people’s key peripheral networks being lost, yet close friendships being strengthened. Finally, young people’s mental health was greatly affected by the isolation, but few sought help, mostly out of a desire to not overburden the NHS. (4) Conclusions: This study highlights the extent of the impact of the pandemic isolation on young people’s social capital and mental health. Post-pandemic strategies targeting mental health system strengthening, social isolation and help-seeking behaviours are recommended.


Author(s):  
Isabel Aguilar-Palacio ◽  
Lina Maldonado ◽  
Sara Malo ◽  
Raquel Sánchez-Recio ◽  
Iván Marcos-Campos ◽  
...  

It is essential to understand the impact of social inequalities on the risk of COVID-19 infection in order to mitigate the social consequences of the pandemic. With this aim, the objective of our study was to analyze the effect of socioeconomic inequalities, both at the individual and area of residence levels, on the probability of COVID-19 confirmed infection, and its variations across three pandemic waves. We conducted a retrospective cohort study and included data from all individuals tested for COVID-19 during the three waves of the pandemic, from March to December 2020 (357,989 individuals) in Aragón (Spain). We studied the effect of inequalities on the risk of having a COVID-19 confirmed diagnosis after being tested using multilevel analyses with two levels of aggregation: individuals and basic healthcare area of residence (deprivation level and type of zone). Inequalities in the risk of COVID-19 confirmed infection were observed at both the individual and area level. There was a predominance of low-paid employees living in deprived areas. Workers with low salaries, unemployed and people on minimum integration income or who no longer receive the unemployment allowance, had a higher probability of COVID-19 infection than workers with salaries ≥ €18,000 per year. Inequalities were greater in women and in the second wave. The deprivation level of areas of residence influenced the risk of COVID-19 infection, especially in the second wave. It is necessary to develop individual and area coordinated measures by areas in the control, diagnosis and treatment of the epidemic, in order to avoid an increase in the already existing inequalities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 20
Author(s):  
Abdulelah A. Alghamdi ◽  
Margaret Plunkett

With the increased use of Social Networking Sites and Apps (SNSAs) in Saudi Arabia, it is important to consider the impact of this on the social lives of tertiary students, who are heavy users of such technology. A mixed methods study exploring the effect of SNSAs use on the social capital of Saudi postgraduate students was conducted using a multidimensional construct of social capital, which included the components of life satisfaction, social trust, civic participation, and political engagement. Data were collected through surveys and interviews involving 313 male and 293 female postgraduate students from Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) in Makkah. Findings show that male and female participants perceived SNSAs use impacting all components of social capital at a moderate and mainly positive level. Correlational analysis demonstrated medium to large positive correlations among components of social capital. Gender differences were not evident in the life satisfaction and social trust components; however, females reported more involvement with SNSAs for the purposes of political engagement while males reported more use for civic participation, which is an interesting finding, in light of the norms and traditional culture of Saudi society.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nando Sigona ◽  
Jotaro Kato ◽  
Irina Kuznetsova

AbstractThe article examines the migration infrastructures and pathways through which migrants move into, through and out of irregular status in Japan and the UK and how these infrastructures uniquely shape their migrant experiences of irregularity at key stages of their migration projects.Our analysis brings together two bodies of migration scholarship, namely critical work on the social and legal production of illegality and the impact of legal violence on the lives of immigrants with precarious legal status, and on the role of migration infrastructures in shaping mobility pathways.Drawing upon in-depth qualitative interviews with irregular and precarious migrants in Japan and the UK collected over a ten-year period, this article develops a three-pronged analysis of the infrastructures of irregularity, focusing on infrastructures of entry, settlement and exit, casting a comparative light on the mechanisms that produce precarious and expendable migrant lives in relation to access to labour and labour conditions, access and quality of housing and law enforcement, and how migrants adapt, cope, resist or eventually are overpowered by them.


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 184-196
Author(s):  
Maja Dorota Wojciechowska

PurposeSocial capital, understood as intangible community values available through a network of connections, is a factor in the development of societies and improving quality of life. It helps to remove economic inequalities and prevent poverty and social exclusion, stimulate social and regional development, civic attitudes and social engagement and build a civic society as well as local and regional identity. Many of these tasks may be implemented by libraries, which, apart from providing access to information, may also offer a number of services associated with social needs. The purpose of this paper is to present the roles and functions that libraries may serve in local communities in terms of assistance, integration and development based on classical social capital theories.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews the classical concepts of social capital in the context of libraries. It analyses the findings of Pierre-Félix Bourdieu, James Coleman, Francis Fukuyama, Robert Putnam, Nan Lin, Ronald Stuart Burt, Wayne Baker and Alejandro Portes. Based on their respective concepts, the paper analyses the role of the contemporary library in the social life of local communities. In particular, it focuses on the possible new functions that public libraries may serve.FindingsA critical review of the concept of social capital revealed certain dependencies between libraries and their neighbourhoods. With new services that respond to the actual social needs, libraries may serve as a keystone, namely they may integrate, animate and engage local communities. This, however, requires a certain approach to be adopted by the personnel and governing authorities as well as infrastructure and tangible resources.Originality/valueThe social engagement of libraries is usually described from the practical perspective (reports on the services provided) or in the context of research on the impact of respective projects on specific groups of users (research reports). A broader approach, based on original social theories, is rarely encountered. The paper draws on classical concepts of social capital and is a contribution to the discussion on possible uses of those concepts based on an analysis of the role of libraries in social life and in strengthening the social capital of local communities.


1999 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-44
Author(s):  
Tom A. B. Snijders

Social capital has become quite a popular concept in the sociological and economic literature, and even in the general press. Scientific investigations using this concept have measured it, however, usually in rather ad hoc fashions. In this paper I discuss possible approaches that could be followed to measure the social capital of individuals. What kind of questions should be posed to the individual, and how should these questions be aggregated to a measure of his or her social capital? The discussion in this paper is of a conceptual nature and does not go up to the concrete questions to be asked.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 78-91
Author(s):  
Yunita Anggraeni ◽  
Sitti Muthia Maghfirah Massinai ◽  
Rahma Dilla Arnanda

ABSTRACTSynthetic tobacco is a type of drug produced from tobacco mixed with chemical liquids. Synthetic tobacco produces a calming effect, daydreaming, hallucinations, and unconsciousness. In some individuals there is resistance to chemicals, resulting in dizziness, vomiting and unconsciousness. The basic ingredients of tobacco make synthetic tobacco difficult to distinguish from ordinary tobacco. So that the impact on the prevention and eradication of drugs is increasingly difficult. The CJ community is a community of drug users who have used synthetic tobacco for 5 months. This study aimed to determine the risk and protective factors of synthetic tobacco use in the CJ community. This research was a qualitative study on the case of the CJ community with the direct involvement of researchers in the community. The result of the research was an analysis description of the risk and protective factors in the CJ community. Medically dangerous side effects have not been communicated to users in the CJ community. Awareness of the future and responsibility are protective factors that motivate community members to stop using drugs. This research showed that the use of synthetic tobacco type drugs can be more harmful to individuals and the environment. The impact on the individual physically and psychologically will affect the individual's difficulty in interacting with the social environment. There is a need for socialization and education that takes into account various aspects of society so that prevention can take place effectively. The results of the research can become the basis for providing intervention designs with community collaboration as agents of change.Key Word: Synthetic Tobacco, Risk Factor, Protective Factor, Drugs User ABSTRAKTembakau sintetis merupakan jenis narkoba yang dihasilkan dari tembakau yang dicampur dengan cairan kimia. Tembakau sintetis menghasilkan efek tenang, melamun, halusinasi, dan tidak sadarkan diri. Pada beberapa individu terdapat penolakan terhadap zat kimia, berakibat pusing, muntah dan tidak sadarkan diri. Bahan dasar tembakau membuat tembakau sintetis sulit dibedakan dengan tembakau biasa. Sehingga berdampak kepada pencegahan dan pemberantasan narkoba yang semakin sulit. Komunitas CJ merupakan komunitas pengguna narkoba yang sudah menggunakan tembakau sintetis selama 5 bulan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui risk and protective factor penggunaan tembakau sintetis pada komunitas CJ. Penelitian ini merupakan studi kualitatif pada kasus komunitas CJ dengan keterlibatan langsung peneliti pada komunitas. Hasil penelitian berupa deskripsi analisis dari risk and protective factor pada komunitas CJ. Efek samping yang berbahaya secara medis belum tersosialisasikan kepada para pengguna di komunitas CJ. Kesadaran mengenai masa depan dan tanggung jawab menjadi faktor protektif yang memotivasi anggota komunitas untuk berhenti menggunakan narkoba. Penelitian ini menunjukan bahwa penggunaan narkoba jenis tembakau sintetis dapat lebih berbahaya bagi individu dan lingkungan. Dampak kepada individu secara fisik dan psikologis akan mempengaruhi kesulitan individu berinteraksi dengan lingkungan sosial. Perlu adanya sosialisasi dan edukasi yang memperhatikan berbagai aspek di masyarakat agar pencegahan dapat berlangsung dengan efektif. Hasil penelitian dapat menjadi landasan dalam memberikan rancangan intervensi dengan kolaborasi masyarakat sebagai agen perubahan.Kata Kunci: Tembakau Sintetis, Faktor Risiko, Faktor Protektif, Pengguna Narkoba


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 62
Author(s):  
María Paz Sandín Esteban ◽  
Angelina Sánchez Martí ◽  
Ana Belén Cano Hila

<p class="apa">This paper addresses the importance of the diagnosis of “personal communities” as relational systems that may influence the academic pathways of young immigrants. As part of a longitudinal study of the academic persistence of young people in their transition from compulsory to post-compulsory education, a “personal network questionnaire” has been developed. This instrument allows the relational structure of students to be captured and represented, and the impact of this structure on educational outcomes to be analysed. It measures and explores the network of inter-relations with adults (family, educational and recreational professionals, etc.) and peers in different settings. The theoretical elements underpinning its design and implementation are the interweaving of the student social capital and social support system to which they have or may have access to, and the Social Network Analysis (SNA) approach as the methodological framework. This network approach is rendered highly significant and valuable for professionals in educational diagnosis to assess relational vulnerability and design programs of intervention and counseling. With graphic techniques, we can somewhat address this challenge by examining patterns in relational data, experimenting with these data and putting forward hypotheses.</p>


2005 ◽  
Vol 3 (8) ◽  
pp. 399-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Williams ◽  
Eric Taylor

The evolutionary status of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is central to assessments of whether modern society has created it, either physically or socially; and is potentially useful in understanding its neurobiological basis and treatment. The high prevalence of ADHD (5–10%) and its association with the seven-repeat allele of DRD4, which is positively selected in evolution, raise the possibility that ADHD increases the reproductive fitness of the individual, and/or the group. However, previous suggestions of evolutionary roles for ADHD have not accounted for its confinement to a substantial minority. Because one of the key features of ADHD is its diversity, and many benefits of population diversity are well recognized (as in immunity), we study the impact of groups' behavioural diversity on their fitness. Diversity occurs along many dimensions, and for simplicity we choose unpredictability (or variability), excess of which is a well-established characteristic of ADHD. Simulations of the Changing Food group task show that unpredictable behaviour by a minority optimizes results for the group. Characteristics of such group exploration tasks are risk-taking, in which costs are borne mainly by the individual; and information-sharing, in which benefits accrue to the entire group. Hence, this work is closely linked to previous studies of evolved altruism. We conclude that even individually impairing combinations of genes, such as ADHD, can carry specific benefits for society, which can be selected for at that level, rather than being merely genetic coincidences with effects confined to the individual. The social benefits conferred by diversity occur both inside and outside the ‘normal’ range, and these may be distinct. This view has the additional merit of offering explanations for the prevalence, sex and age distribution, severity distribution and heterogeneity of ADHD.


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