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Are Informal Connections a Functional Alternative to Associational Life in Enhancing Social Cohesion? Findings from Hong Kong

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  • Elaine Chan

Abstract

This article aims to ascertain whether organizational life and informal connections, which made up part of Putnam’s (Bowling alone: the collapse and revival of American community. Simon & Schuster, New York, 2000 ) Social Capital Index, have separate effects on social cohesion. Postulating that informal gatherings with family and friends might be a functional alternative to associational life, we employed multiple regression analysis to test the hypothesis. The analysis was based on a 2011 territory-wide door-to-door survey in Hong Kong. Controlling for the effects of demographic variables including gender, age, educational level, and employment status, it was found that formal participation in organizations contributed significantly to the explanation in five of the eight subindexes of social cohesion. In contrast, informal connections contributed significantly only to one subindex. The pattern persisted when attitudinal variables such as life satisfaction, social support, and perceived social class were added to the regression analysis. In short, our analysis demonstrated that participation in formal organizations fosters various aspects of social cohesion, and that this effect cannot be replaced by informal gatherings with family and friends. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014

Suggested Citation

  • Elaine Chan, 2014. "Are Informal Connections a Functional Alternative to Associational Life in Enhancing Social Cohesion? Findings from Hong Kong," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 119(2), pages 803-821, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:119:y:2014:i:2:p:803-821
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-013-0506-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Laurence S. Moss, 2003. "Editor's Introduction," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 62(2), pages 315-318, April.
    2. repec:bla:ajecsc:v:62:y:2003:i:4:p:645-648 is not listed on IDEAS
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    Cited by:

    1. Miao, Jia & Wu, Xiaogang & Sun, Xiulin, 2019. "Neighborhood, social cohesion, and the Elderly's depression in Shanghai," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 229(C), pages 134-143.
    2. Chau-kiu Cheung & T. Wing Lo & Suk-ching Liu, 2020. "Conditions for Facilitation by Voluntary Organizations to Enhance Social Cohesion in China," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 148(1), pages 173-187, February.

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