scholarly journals An empirical analysis of the impact of income inequality and social capital on physical and mental health - take China’s micro-database analysis as an example

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanyuan He ◽  
Lulin Zhou ◽  
Junshan Li ◽  
Jun Wu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Income Inequality ◽  
Empirical Analysis ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Cognitive Social Capital ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Structural Social Capital

Abstract Background Income inequality is one of the important reflections of the unbalanced development of the world economy and can have adverse effects on physical and mental health. Methods This article used the 2018 China Family Panel Studies Database as an empirical analysis data source. The Kakwani index (KI) was used to measure income inequality, and social capital was broken into cognitive social capital and structural social capital. Our assessment was conducted by using STATA16 software for ordered logistic regression, verifying income inequality, social capital on correlation between physical and mental health firstly; then by gradual regression methods to verify intermediary effect, and demonstrate the social capital as an intermediary variable affecting physical and mental health as income inequality. Result The income inequality has a significant negative effect on physical and mental health (β = − 0.964, − 0.381; OR = 0.382, 0.758; P < 0.01), Social capital has a significant effect on physical and mental health (Cognitive SC(MH): β = 0.146 and 0.104, OR = 1.157 and 1.110, P < 0.01; Cognitive SC(PH): β = 0.046 and 0.069, OR = 1.047 and 1.071, P < 0.01; Structural SC(MH): β = − 0.005, 0.025 and 0.015, OR = 0.995, 1.025 and 1.015, P > 0.1, P < 0.01 and P < 0.01; Structural SC(PH): β = − 0.026, 0.009 and − 0.013, OR = 0.975, 1.009 and 0.987, P < 0.01, P > 0.1 and P < 0.01). Our analysis also showed that social capital (cognitive social capital and structural social capital) has an intermediary effect on physical and mental health due to income inequality. Conclusion This study shows that income inequality can not only directly affect physical and mental health, but also through social capital intermediary utility indirectly affect physical and mental health, social capital has positive effects on physical and mental health. At the same time, income inequality and social capital’s effects on physical and mental health exist regional differences, urban-rural differences, and gender differences. Therefore, in the development of special policies to support and take care of vulnerable groups, special attention needs to be paid to poor rural areas and female groups.

Housing Policies and Health Inequalities

2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Marí-Dell’Olmo ◽  
Ana M. Novoa ◽  
Lluís Camprubí ◽  
Andrés Peralta ◽  
Hugo Vásquez-Vera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Inequalities ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Housing Policies ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Related Mortality

A large body of literature shows the link between inadequate housing conditions and poor physical and mental health. The aim of this paper is to summarize the research on the impact of local housing policies on health inequalities, focusing on the issues of access to housing and fuel poverty as studied in the SOPHIE project. Our case studies in Spain showed that people facing housing insecurity, experienced intense levels of mental distress. We found that access to secure and adequate housing can improve the health of these populations, therefore, public policies that address housing instability and their consequences are urgently needed. Housing conditions related to fuel poverty are associated with poorer health and are unevenly distributed across Europe. We found possible positive effects of façade insulation interventions on cold-related mortality in women living in social housing; but not in men. Policies on housing energy efficiency can reduce the health consequences of fuel poverty, but need to be free to users, target the most vulnerable groups and be adaptable to their needs.

scholarly journals Social Capital and Mental Health among Older Adults Living in Urban China in the Context of COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (21) ◽  
pp. 7947 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Sun ◽  
Nan Lu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Urban China ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Cognitive Social Capital ◽  
Structural Social Capital

Although social capital has been found to be an important social determinant of mental health in later life, research on social capital in the context of COVID-19 and the interplay among subdimensions of social capital is lacking. The present study examined the mediating role of cognitive social capital on the relationship between structural social capital and mental health among older adults in urban China in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected from the Yangpu district in Shanghai, China, in July–August 2020. A quota sampling approach was used to recruit 472 respondents aged 60 years and older from 23 communities in the Yangpu district. Mental health was measured by depressive symptoms and life satisfaction. Cognitive social capital was assessed through trust and reciprocity, and structural social capital was assessed through organization memberships, and COVID-19 related volunteering and citizenship activity. Structural equation modeling was used to test the mediation model. The results show that cognitive social capital had a full mediation effect on the association between structural social capital and mental health indicators (life satisfaction: b = 0.122, SD = 0.029, p < 0.001; depressive symptoms: b = −0.343, SD = 0.119, p < 0.01). The findings indicate that social capital can play an important role in sustaining and improving mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Policy and intervention implications are discussed.

scholarly journals Social Capital as a Mediator through the Effect of Education on Depression and Obesity among the Elderly in China

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (11) ◽  
pp. 3977
Author(s):  
Yu Xin ◽  
Xiaohui Ren
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Depression Symptom ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Cognitive Social Capital ◽  
Structural Social Capital

Objectives: Global aging is an increasingly serious problem. The health problems faced by the elderly, such as depression and obesity, require serious consideration. Education, depression and obesity are inextricably linked; for the elderly, education is constant, and the factors which can mediate the relationship between education, depression and obesity are still being discussed by scholars. The mediating effect of social capital is rarely studied. The objective of this study was to assess the mediating role of cognitive social capital and structural social capital, as well as the effect of education on depression and obesity among the elderly using China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) data. Methods: In total, 4919 respondents were included in the final analysis. Education was measured by years of schooling. Trust and participation were used as measures of cognitive social capital and structural social capital. Depression symptoms and BMI were used as outcomes. Structural equation models were developed to examine the direct and indirect effect of social capital and education on health outcomes. Results: Education was negatively correlated with depression symptom (r = −0.15, p < 0.001), while education was positively correlated with BMI (r = 0.08, p < 0.001). Older adults with a higher education level have higher cognitive social capital (r = 0.11, p < 0.001) and structural social capital (r = 0.20, p < 0.001). Social capital plays a mediatory role. Older adults with higher social capital have a lower risk of depression (cognitive: r = −0.23, p < 0.001; structural: r = −0.03, p < 0.01) but a higher risk of obesity (cognitive: r = 0.06, p < 0.01; structural: r = 0.03, p < 0.01). For depression, the mediating function of cognitive social capital (a1b1= −0.025) is stronger than that of structural social capital (a2b2 = −0.006). While, for obesity, the effects of both cognitive and structural social capital are the same (a1c1 = a2c2 = 0.005). Conclusions: Social capital as a mediator through the effect of education on depression and obesity among the elderly in China. Meanwhile, using the positive effects of social capital to avoid negative effects should also be seriously considered.

scholarly journals Poverty, inequality and a political economy of mental health

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. K. Burns
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Political Economy ◽  
Income Inequality ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The Impact

The relationship between poverty and mental health is indisputable. However, to have an influence on the next set of sustainable global development goals, we need to understand the causal relationships between social determinants such as poverty, inequality, lack of education and unemployment; thereby clarifying which aspects of poverty are the key drivers of mental illness. Some of the major challenges identified by Lund (2014) in understanding the poverty–mental health relationship are discussed including: the need for appropriate poverty indicators; extending this research agenda to a broader range of mental health outcomes; the need to engage with theoretical concepts such as Amartya Sen's capability framework; and the need to integrate the concept of income/economic inequality into studies of poverty and mental health. Although income inequality is a powerful driver of poor physical and mental health outcomes, it features rarely in research and discourse on social determinants of mental health. This paper interrogates in detail the relationships between poverty, income inequality and mental health, specifically: the role of income inequality as a mediator of the poverty–mental health relationship; the relative utility of commonly used income inequality metrics; and the likely mechanisms underlying the impact of inequality on mental health, including direct stress due to the setting up of social comparisons as well as the erosion of social capital leading to social fragmentation. Finally, we need to interrogate the upstream political, social and economic causes of inequality itself, since these should also become potential targets in efforts to promote sustainable development goals and improve population (mental) health. In particular, neoliberal (market-oriented) political doctrines lead to both increased income inequality and reduced social cohesion. In conclusion, understanding the relationships between politics, poverty, inequality and mental health outcomes requires us to develop a robust, evidence-based ‘political economy of mental health.’

scholarly journals Impact of social capital, sex and education on the utilization of public health services: a cross sectional study based on the China migrant dynamic survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhen Yang ◽  
Cheng-hua Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Internal Migrants ◽  
Cognitive Social Capital ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Structural Social Capital

Abstract Background China is making efforts to promote the equalization of National Essential Public Health Services (NEPHS) for internal migrants. Studies have demonstrated that the impacts of social capital on health services are different among subgroups of people. Clarifying these differences will help China accurately promote the equalization of NEPHS for the internal migrants and provide reference for other countries. Methods Data from the China Migrant Dynamic Survey of 2017, involving 130,642 migrants in 31 provinces were used to clarify the complex relationship between social capital and the utilization of NEPHS. Social capital was divided into regional cognitive social capital (RCSC), regional structural social capital (RSSC), individual cognitive social capital (ICSC), and individual structural social capital (ISSC). Then, multi-level logistic regression was conducted to analyze their impacts on the utilization of NEPHS of the migrants, and whether such impacts are moderated by sex and education. Results (1) There are significant differences in the levels of CSC, SSC, and NEPHS utilization between different sexs and educational subgroups of the migrants, among which the educational difference is more prominent. (2) An interaction exists between the levels and dimensions of social capital and NEPHS projects. Also, the impact of SSC on NEPHS is always greater than that of CSC at the same level. (3) The effects of RCSC, RSSC, ICSC, and ISSC on NEPHS utilization by migrants are not moderated by sex. However, a high education could weaken the relationship between RCSC and health education, ISSC and health education, and RSSC and health records but strengthen the correlation between RSSC and health education. Conclusion Social capital plays an important role in the access of migrants to NEPHS. Governments should vigorously promote the construction of regional social capital, encourage migrants to actively participate in community activities, especially pay attention to the enhancement of the migrants with low SES to the destination identity.

scholarly journals Individual Social Capital and Life Satisfaction among Mainland Chinese Adults: Based on the 2016 China Family Panel Studies

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 441
Author(s):  
Wenjun Li ◽  
Haiyan Sun ◽  
Wen Xu ◽  
Wenyuan Ma ◽  
Xin Yuan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Chinese Adults ◽  
Mainland Chinese ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Individual Social Capital ◽  
Panel Studies ◽  
The Government ◽  
Cognitive Social Capital ◽  
The Impact

Background: At present, most Chinese adults are under great psychological pressure, which seriously affects the improvement of life satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to shed light on the associations between individual social capital and life satisfaction among mainland Chinese adults. Methods: We used a nationally representative dataset called 2016 China Family Panel Studies, and a total of 26,009 people suited our study requirements. Chi-squared test and binary regression analysis were used to determine the relationship between individual social capital and life satisfaction among mainland Chinese adults. Results: The results indicated that cognitive social capital had significant effects on life satisfaction (p < 0.05), but the impact of structural social capital on life satisfaction became less significant when combined with sociodemographic variables and socioeconomic status (SES) (p > 0.05). Moreover, we also found that life satisfaction was better in married/cohabited (p < 0.05) and in over 65 age group people (p < 0.05). Self-rated income level, self-rated social status, and self-rated health all had positive effects on life satisfaction (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Given the stabilizing effect of cognitive social capital at the individual level on life satisfaction, the government should attach great importance to this aspect when trying to improve adults’ life satisfaction.

scholarly journals Knowledge sharing in virtual teams: A research in information technology companies in Vietnam

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Huynh Thi Minh Chau ◽  
Nguyen Manh Tuan ◽  
Hang Le Cam Phuong
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Information Technology ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Team Performance ◽  
Virtual Team ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Cognitive Social Capital ◽  
Information Technology Companies ◽  
Structural Social Capital

Nowadays, virtual teams bring both benefits and drawbacks to companies, especially to information technology companies. Improving virtual team performance is a requisite to speed up the development of information technology companies. This article conducts quantitative research on virtual team members in Vietnam’s information technology companies to investigate the relationships between social capital, risk of opportunistic behaviors, knowledge sharing, and team performance in the situation of virtual teams. The study uses SPSS and AMOS to analyze data collected from 268 valid samples. We find out a reliable 15-variable scale which can be used to measure structural social capital, cognitive social capital, rational social capital, risk of opportunistic behaviors, knowledge sharing and virtual team performance. The results show the positive effects of structural social capital and cognitive social capital on knowledge sharing and virtual team performance. The findings also reveal the negative effects of risk of opportunistic behaviors on knowledge sharing and virtual team performance and a positive correlation between knowledge sharing and virtual team performance. This article can be used as a reference for managers to build solutions for improving virtual team performance in information technology companies in Vietnam.

scholarly journals Internet Use and Depressive Symptoms Among Chinese Older Adults: The Mediation and Suppression Effects of Social Capital

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiyi Li ◽  
Mengyao Yang
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Adult Children ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Cognitive Social Capital ◽  
Structural Social Capital

Exploring the social factors of mental health among older adults has become a hot topic. This study aimed to examine the relationships between internet use, social capital and depressive symptoms in older adults. Our data were derived from a sample of 6,840 respondents aged 60 and over in the 2018 wave of the China Family Panel Studies. The ordinary least square (OLS) regression results showed that both Internet use characteristics (including access, emotional activities, and online time) and social capital components (including contact with adult children and trust) were protective factors for the prevention of depressive symptoms among older adults. The generalized structural equation modeling (GSEM) results displayed that Internet use not only had a negatively direct effect on depressive symptoms, but also generated a negatively indirect effect on depressive symptoms by structural social capital (i.e., contact with adult children), suggesting that structural social capital mediated the above link. Conversely, the indirect effects of internet use on depressive symptoms via cognitive social capital (i.e., interpersonal trust and institutional trust) were significantly positive, indicating that the relationship between Internet use and depressive symptoms was suppressed by cognitive social capital. These findings address the gaps in previous research on older adults' mental health and have practical implications for policy makers.

scholarly journals Impact of social capital, gender and education on the utilization of public health services: A Cross sectional study based on the China Migrant Dynamic Survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhen Yang ◽  
Chenghua Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
Gender And Education ◽  
Internal Migrants ◽  
Cognitive Social Capital ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Structural Social Capital

Abstract Background: China is making every effort to promote equal access to public health services(PHS) for the internal migrants. Studies have demonstrated that the impact of social capital on PHS is different among subgroups of people. Clarifying these differences will help China accurately promote the equalization of PHS for the internal migrants and provide reference for other developing countries.Methods: Data from the China Migrant Dynamic Survey of 2017, involving 130642 migrants in 31 provinces were used to clarify the complex relationship between social capital and the utilization of National Essential Public Health Services (NEPHS). Social capital was divided into regional cognitive social capital (RCSC), regional structural social capital (RSSC), individual cognitive social capital (ICSC), and individual structural social capital (ISSC). Then, multi-level logistic regression was conducted to analyze their impacts on the utilization of NEPHS of the migrants, and whether such effects are moderated by gender and education. Results: The results suggest: (1) There are significant differences in the levels of CSC, SSC, and NEPHS utilization between different genders and educational subgroups of the migrants, among which the educational difference is more prominent. (2) An interaction exists between the levels and dimensions of social capital and NEPHS projects. Also, the impact of SSC on NEPHS is always greater than that of CSC at the same level. (3) The effects of RCSC, RSSC, ICSC, and ISSC on NEPHS utilization by migrants are not moderated by gender. However, education could weaken the relationship between RCSC and health education, ISSC and health education, and RSSC and health records but strengthen the correlation between RSSC and health education. Conclution: This study demonstrated complex interactions between the dimensions and levels of social capital, NEPHS projects, and the population characteristics of migrants. As the government strives towards the equalization of NEPHS, these interactions should be fully considered.

scholarly journals The Impact of Social Capital on Mental Health: Evidence from the China Family Panel Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 190
Author(s):  
Xianhua Dai ◽  
Nian Gu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Trust ◽  
Panel Survey ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Mutual Help ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Cognitive Social Capital ◽  
The Impact

The influence of social capital on mental health is a controversial topic. As some studies have pointed out, cognitive social capital significantly affects mental health but structural social capital does not. Using data from the China Family Panel Survey, this study measured social capital from social help, social trust, social networks, and social participation as the instrumental variables (regional average level of social capital), and applied a two-stage least squares regression. We found that the mental health of residents who trust and help each other is significantly higher than that of residents without trust and mutual help. When residents’ efforts to maintain social networks increase, their mental health significantly improves. These results are robust. Furthermore, the impact of social capital on mental health was heterogeneous in terms of urbanicity, gender, age, and area. These results are helpful for making policies for promoting residents’ mental health.

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