Social capital and health among older adults in South Africa

As interest in social capital has dramatically increased over the last few decades, so have the debates over the general strength of this theory as well as the methods in which to empirically measure such a broad concept. While some have attempted to further the horizon for social capital, many sub-topics have emerged in relation to the idea for the purposes of defending its existence as well as to attempt to obtain an agreed upon method of measurement. One such sub-topic is the relation of social capital to health; social networks and the characteristics involved are thought to influence the health and well-being of a person or community. Using the Cape Area Panel Survey, this research measures some of the basic concepts of social capital in relation to health among older adults in South Africa. Previous research on this theory in developing countries is lacking and has potential for health and other policy implications. This research uses self-rated health and difficulty with instrumental activities of daily living as measured health variables along with social capital being divided into a cognitive component of anomie and structural components of social integration. Relation of social capital indicators with health are seen to differ by population group in South Africa.