Social capital and health: The role of participation

Participation in groups and associations is regarded as one of the key components of social capital. Given the evidence that levels of social capital correlate with levels of health, it is reasonable to assume that participation levels are similarly associated. There is mixed evidence for this. However, most survey research, which forms the bulk of the evidence, takes a rather simplistic view of participation, failing to identify different types that may be presumed to have rather different impacts on health: individual civic participation (voting); organised activities designed to produce local collective benefits, or national benefits (voluntary work, campaigning groups); organised activities designed primarily to produce benefits for members (professional associations); organised leisure activities for the pleasure of members (photography clubs, bird-watching groups); informal leisure activities in groups. Studies also fail to theorise about the pathway from participation to health: participation may help to ensure that local and national government's provide public services that promote health; participation may reduce social isolation and its attendant adverse impact on health; and it may enhance self-efficacy. More sophisticated research methods need to be developed. Social Theory & Health (2010) 8, 51-65. doi: 10.1057/sth.2009.19