Individual social capital, neighbourhood deprivation, and self-rated health in England

Individual social capital is increasingly considered to be an important determinant of an individual's health. This study examines the extent to which individual social capital is associated with self-rated health and the extent to which individual social capital mediates t.he relationship between neighbourhood deprivation and self-rated health in an English sample. Individual social capital was conceptualized and operationalized in both the social cohesion- and network resource tradition, using measures of generalized trust, social participation and social network resources. Network resources were measured with the position generator. Multilevel analyses were applied to wave 2 and 3 of the Taking Part Surveys of England, which consist of face-to-face interviews among the adult population in England (Ni = 25,366 respondents, Nj = 12,388 neighbourhoods). The results indicate that generalized trust, participation with friends and relatives and having network members from the salariat class are positively associated with self-rated health. Having network members from the working class is, however, negatively related to self-rated health. Moreover, these social capital elements are partly mediating the negative relationship between neighbourhood deprivation and self-rated health.

► Individual social capital is conceptualized in both the ‘social cohesion’ and ‘network resource’ tradition.
► Results from multilevel analyses of an English sample suggest that generalized trust, social participation with friends and relatives, and salariat class network resources are beneficial for health.
► Working class network resources are detrimental for health.
► Individual social capital is partly mediating the negative relationship between neighbourhood deprivation and health.