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Does Social Capital Promote Health?

Author

Listed:
  • Ma Yuan

    (Chongqing University)

  • Cao Yue-qun

    (Chongqing University)

  • Wang Hao

    (Chongqing University)

  • Xiang Hong

    (Bishan Party School)

Abstract

The determinants of health are influenced by genetics, lifestyle, social environment, medical conditions, etc. As an informal system, social capital plays an increasingly recognized role in individual health. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the direct and indirect effects of social capital on individual health in China. Using cross-sectional data from the China Family Panel Studies 2016, this paper explores the effects of cognitive and structural social capital on individual health from a micro perspective. The results show that both types of social capital have significant positive effects on individual health, and this effect remains after endogeneity is considered. The two types of social capital show obvious heterogeneity in age samples, urban and rural samples and north–south samples. In addition, the mechanism analysis shows that the health promotion effects of the two types of social capital are mainly derived from the effects of informal finance and access to medical resources. Based on the above findings, this paper puts forward policy recommendations.

Suggested Citation

  • Ma Yuan & Cao Yue-qun & Wang Hao & Xiang Hong, 2022. "Does Social Capital Promote Health?," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 162(2), pages 501-524, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:162:y:2022:i:2:d:10.1007_s11205-021-02810-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-021-02810-8
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    2. Fujihara, Satoko & Tsuji, Taishi & Nakagomi, Atsushi & Miyaguni, Yasuhiro & Hanazato, Masamichi & Muto, Go & Kondo, Katsunori, 2023. "Association of community-level social capital with dementia: A multilevel nine-year longitudinal study using data from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 338(C).

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