Economic capital, social capital and health in middle and later life

• Main Author: Browning, Sean
• Other Authors: Penning, M.
• Language: English; en
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: Social Capital; Economic Capital; Health; Social Inequalities; Older Adults; Middle Aged
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1828/4386

The importance of economic and social capital for health has been well-documented. However, their impact on age-related differences in health is less clear. To address this issue, this study examined the impact of several individual level indicators of economic and social capital on selected health outcomes in middle and later life. Data for the analysis were drawn from the 2008 General Social Survey (Cycle 22) conducted by Statistics Canada. Using a study sample of those aged 45 and over (n=12,135), multivariate regression analyses assessed main, mediating and moderating effects of economic and social capital measures on chronic conditions, health or activity limitations, and self-reported health. The findings indicated that individual level economic capital and structural social capital were positively associated with health status in middle and later life. In addition, the findings revealed the importance of both bonding and bridging forms of social capital in middle and later life. As well, the findings suggest that individual level structural social capital is a more upstream social determinant of health than economic capital in middle and later life as economic capital was found to mediate the social capital-health relationship, but not vice versa. Lastly, no evidence was found for an individual level interaction between economic capital and structural social capital in middle and later life. The theoretical, empirical, and policy implications of these findings are outlined. === Graduate === 2013-12-14