A Theoretical Study From the Sociological Perspective on the Social Capital of Youth With Disabilities

Numerous definitions and conceptualizations of social capital exist; however, adults have received much more attention in terms of social capital than youth and young people with disabilities. Youth with disabilities experience problems identical to their peers without disabilities but are more disadvantaged with respect to social inclusion. Therefore, this study references the extant literature to present a conceptual framework on the social capital of youth with disabilities. To this end, it presents the conceptual dimensions of social capital to determine the outputs (with respect to the individual and society) and indicators of social capital. Individual outputs include the expansion of social networks, increase of wellbeing, development of identity and belonging, and social support. Social outputs encompass the increased participation of youth with disabilities in social life. Social capital indicators comprise belonging to a place and a group, trust, social support, social exclusion, and identity perceptions in social networks. Family members, close friends, and neighbors appear at the forefront when previously conducted studies are reviewed. The elucidation of the conceptual framework of the social capital of disabled youth can contribute to the sociological literature on disability, making disadvantaged positions and their inclusion in social life more visible. It is important to highlight studies on the social capital of young people with disabilities to encourage more scholars to discuss their inclusion in the social fabric and to add to the literature on the sociology of disability.