Burdine JN, Felix MR, Montgomery JE, Abel AL, Safran DG; Academy for Health Services Research and Health Policy. Meeting.
Abstr Acad Health Serv Res Health Policy Meet. 2000; 17: UNKNOWN.
Presented by: James N. Burdine, Dr. P.H., President and Senior Scientist, Felix, Burdine and Associates, 5100 Tilghman Street, Suite 215, Allentown, PA 18104, Tel: 610-366-1310; Fax: 610-366-1322; E-mail: jim@felixburdine.com
Research Objective: The purpose of this study was to validate an instrument for the measurement of markers of social capital (MSC), for use in community-based efforts to improve population health status. Specific objectives were: (1) To measure 2 different markers of social capital: civic participation, and social integration; (2) To examine the measurement performance and data quality of those markers; and (3) To explore these measures in relationships to income disparity and health status (the SF-12). Study Design: Data were obtained from randomly sampled adults in seven general population surveys conducted during 1998 and 1999 in 7 communities across 4 states (n=5,564). Measures. Eleven survey items measuring 2 concepts (social integration [k=7], and civic participation [k=4]) were developed and tested as multi-item scales. The 2 domains are considered markers of social capital.Population Studied: Adults randomly sampled from among the general population in seven communities.Principal Findings: Tests of scaling assumptions for summated rating scales were well satisfied by all of the Likert-scaled measures. Assessment of data completeness, scale score dispersion characteristics, and interscale correlations provided strong evidence for the soundness of all scales, and for the value of separately measuring and interpreting these concepts. The resulting scales were related to a standardized measure of mental health functioning (MCS-12), but not physical health functioning (PCS-12). Conclusions: As the development of community capacity for health status improvement becomes a goal and intended outcome of community and population health interventions, measures and data are needed to capture current capacity and identify opportunities for improvement. Social capital is described by many as one of the components of community capacity, and it is a multi-faceted concept in need of validated measures. The MSC may be beneficial to understanding how and where to intervene to bolster community capacity and improve community health status. Implications for Policy, Delivery or Practice: The value of measuring indicators of social capital will be in their application as one component of a model of community capacity for health status improvement. If it can be determined that the presence of social capital is a prerequisite for effective community health status improvement, then investing in the development of various aspects of social capital as a precursor for - or at least simultaneously with - other health improvement "interventions," may prove to increase health status outcomes and the effectiveness and/or efficiency of these efforts. The scales developed in this study allow us to more precisely focus resources within the social capital realm. For example, specific strategies can be used to develop civic participation (e.g., training in issue advocacy, voter registration). Similarly, collaborative community activities can be organized which have direct and indirect effects of building social integration through developing local political and social influence, providing experience with local problem solving, and increasing trust. Primary Funding Source: This study was funded by Felix, Burdine and Associates.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Adult
- Consumer Participation
- Cooperative Behavior
- Data Collection
- Demography
- Health Status
- Health Status Indicators
- Health Surveys
- Humans
- Income
- Interpersonal Relations
- Questionnaires
- Research Design
- Residence Characteristics
- Social Environment
- Weights and Measures
- hsrmtgs
Other ID:
UI: 102272316
From Meeting Abstracts