Social Capital and Health: Maximizing the Benefits

Developing an Operational Model Based on Networks

Louise Bouchard, Ph.D., Researcher, Institute of Population Health, University of Ottawa; Jean-François Roy, Doctoral Candidate, Institute of Population Health, University of Ottawa; and Solange van Kemenade, Ph.D., Policy Research Division, Strategic Policy Directorate, Public Health Agency of Canada

Working from a definition of social capital based on networks, a research team from the Public Health Agency of Canada and the University of Ottawa has developed an operational model that facilitates the measurement of both the structural and resource content of social networks--as well as their potential benefits and effects. The research team's recent analysis of the data from the 2003 General Social Survey (GSS), Cycle 17 provided the first Canadian evidence on the positive link between social capital and health. This article presents an overview of how the operational model was developed and applied.

Exploring the Link between Social Capital and Health

Since 2001, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada have been conducting a research project on social capital. Analysts in the Policy Research Division (PRD) have contributed to the development of knowledge that defines both the concept, as well as indicators for measurement. They have also examined the usefulness of the concept --specifically, its potential for program and policy development and evaluation. In 2004, the PRD joined forces with researchers at the Institute of Population Health of the University of Ottawa to analyze data from the 2003 General Social Survey (GSS), Cycle 17 on Social Engagement in Canada. The objective of the study was to define a conceptual model of social capital based on networks, using GSS data as a starting point, and to operationalize it to examine the relationship between social capital and the health of Canadians.

The Potential of Networks

The conceptual framework (as inspired by Berkman and Glass¹) provides an opportunity to examine the structure of networks, their dynamics and their composition, in terms of resources. This framework allows us to distinguish between social capital and other forms of capital, such as human capital (education), and material and financial capital (income). Social capital is strictly defined as a network of social relationships and its related resources:

• The structure of the network refers to the number, scope and diversity of a person's connections, the nature of these ties, including strong (family, friends) and weak (acquaintances) ties.
• The dynamics of these relationships are measured by the frequency and reciprocity of exchanges. Social engagement and volunteerism represent an attempt to widen one's networks in order to meet certain needs.
• The nature of these exchanges refers to the resources that circulate within the networks. These resources may be emotional and affective, material, informational or instrumental.

The structural analysis of the network is systemic and sheds light on the characteristics and attributes of the social links and the exchanges. In this way, the analysis allows us to anticipate the intended results, which are individual and collective well-being, social integration, the demand for services and attainment of political objectives.

About the 2003 General Social Survey, Cycle 17 on Social Engagement The survey was designed to collect comprehensive information on the many ways that Canadians engage in civic and social life, including social contacts with family, friends and neighbours; involvement in formal organizations, political activities and religious services; level of trust in people and in public institutions; sense of belonging to Canada, province and community; volunteer work and more. For the summary report, visit: <http://www.statcan.ca/english/freepub/89-598-XIE/2003001/article.htm>.

Constructing an Analytical Model

Using the conceptual framework of social capital based on networks and their resources, the research team constructed an analytical model that would support the analysis of data from the GSS , Cycle 17 (see sidebar above). The team drew on the conceptual framework of Berkman and Glass,¹ as well as on the survey questions, in order to ensure that the analytical model was compatible with both.

Taking into account the GSS variables, the resulting model (see Figure 1) examines two dimensions of social capital--network structure and network resources--and includes indicators designed to measure both aspects:

• For network structure, four indicators were developed: size of network of strong ties outside the household; size of network of ties to organizations (ethnic organizations, sports or social clubs, associations, etc.); reciprocity within the networks (provided assistance to, and received assistance from, neighbours, family or friends); as well as volunteerism (volunteering at least once in the preceding year).
• For network resources, two indicators were developed: total social support index (assistance with transportation, child care, housework, emotional support, practical advice, other types of assistance), and an instrumental social support index (assistance with transportation, child care and housework).

Figure 1: Social Capital Analysis Model

Applying the Model

Use of the above model to analyze data from the GSS , Cycle 17 enabled the first national-level analysis in Canada of the relationship between social capital and health. The GSS collected data from 24,951 individuals aged 15 years and up from across the country. However, because only respondents aged 25 years and up were included in the current analysis, the sample size used was 21,785.

Data were collected on social capital variables as identified by the indicators in the model as well as on socio-demographic variables (sex, age, education, life status, type of household) and perceived health. Perceived health was established as the dependent variable and divided into two categories for the purposes of analysis: good health (self-reported health rated by GSS respondents as "excellent," "very good" and "good") and poor health (self-reported health rated as "average" and "poor"). Regression analysis was then used to determine if there was a significant relationship between any of the social capital variables and self-reported health.

The Results: A Pan-Canadian Analysis

By testing for a series of potentially differentiating factors (sex, age, education, life status, type of household), the results of the regression analysis demonstrate a significant relationship between social capital and the health of Canadians, even though the results do not permit the establishment of causality links.² For example, the findings show that most social capital indicators are positively related to the self-reported health of respondents:

• People with larger networks of strong ties outside the household have a greater possibility for accessing diverse resources.
• A medium to large network of strong ties is associated positively with self-reported health.
• People who belong to or participate in two or more organizations are more likely to report good health than the rest of the population.
• Reciprocity among members of a network appears to be beneficial--those who both give and receive assistance from family, neighbours or friends are more likely to report good health.
• There is a positive relationship between volunteering and good health (although the mechanism for establishing this relationship is hard to determine because of the problem of causality).
• Instrumental social support (help received to carry out daily activities) tends to be related with self-reported good health, even though the relationship is not significant.

A more complete story of how the model was developed, and the results of its application to the GSS , Cycle 17, is included in the full report² of the research, available at:
<http://policyresearch.gc.ca/page.asp?pagenm=pub_wp_abs#WP0010>. The research team has carried out additional analyses, focusing on specific population groups--the subject of the next article.