Social capital
Health Sociology
Definition. Social capital is the resources embedded in social networks, such as trust, norms of reciprocity and connections, that facilitate collective action.
Explanation
Putnam popularised the concept through his study of declining civic engagement (Putnam, 2000). Network analysis offers methods to measure social ties and their effects on public health (Luke & Harris, 2007).
Related concepts
Loneliness Social determinants of health Health promotion
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References
Luke, D. A., & Harris, J. K. (2007). Network Analysis in Public Health: History, Methods, and Applications. Annual Review of Public Health, 28, 69–93. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.publhealth.28.021406.144132
Putnam, R. D. (2000). Bowling alone: The collapse and revival of American community. Simon & Schuster.
Cite this entry: Kurutkan, M. N. (2026). Social capital. In The Health Topics glossary. https://healthtopic.org/glossary/social-capital/
Articles that discuss this concept
8 articles on The Health Topics mention this concept. Most relevant first.
- Social Capital and Health: Forms and Effects 23
- Social Media Preoccupation and Employee Performance in Healthcare 3
- Network Analysis in Public Health 2
- Organizational Behavior in AMJ: Trends and Opportunities 2
- US Health Sociology: Recent Structural Theories 1
- Current Perspectives on American Religion and Society 1
- A General Theory of Scientific Intellectual Movements 1
- Obligations and Obfuscations in the Review Process 1