Social capital, health and place : the two sides of the same coin

Abstract

Research on social capital, health and place has increasingly expanded, however relatively little research has explored how social capital can impact on health both in a positive and negative manner, within a place. There is a general understanding that features of social cohesion, bonding, reciprocity ties, and trust operating with- in a place all help to increase positive health and wellbeing. Yet, very few studies analyse that the theory of social capital in practice has its risks and can be damaging for the health and wellbeing of individuals. This study, through qualitative in-depth interviews, explores how social capital is truly beneficial for the health and well- being of certain social groups, and argues that it may not always be the case that a deprived neighbourhood suffers from low social cohesion. However, this study brings out more to the attention that these same features of social capital can exert negative effects through features of social exclusion, reporting, jealousy and antiso- cial behaviour.