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Does social capital flatten the social gradient in early childhood development? An ecological study of two provinces in Canada

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  • Anita Minh

    (University of British Columbia
    University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen)

  • Lisa Ritland

    (University of British Columbia)

  • Simon Webb

    (McMaster University)

  • Barry Forer

    (University of British Columbia)

  • Marni Brownell

    (University of Manitoba)

  • Eric Duku

    (McMaster University)

  • Monique Gagné

    (University of British Columbia)

  • Magdalena Janus

    (University of British Columbia
    McMaster University)

  • Nazeem Muhajarine

    (University of Saskatchewan)

  • Martin Guhn

    (University of British Columbia)

Abstract

Social capital is thought to buffer the negative effects of low income on health and thereby flatten the social gradient. Child development research on social capital has suggested that social networks of adults and children in a neighborhood may play a protective role in children’s outcomes. Yet little is known about how this relationship applies to diverse developmental outcomes in early childhood. This study examines whether the presence of role model adults and the willingness of neighbors to help keep children safe moderates the relationship between neighborhood income and five developmental outcomes for children in kindergarten: (1) physical health and well-being, (2) social competence, (3) emotional maturity, (4) language and cognitive development, and (5) communication and general knowledge. We linked neighborhood-level data on child development from two Canadian provinces, British Columbia (BC, n = 100) and Ontario (n = 482), to neighborhood-level data on social capital from the Ontario Kindergarten Parent Survey, and the BC Social Capital Study; and income data from the 2006 Canadian Census. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the main and interaction effects of social capital and income in relation to child development outcomes. In Ontario, higher levels of social capital were associated with better child outcomes on all five developmental domains. Similar trends were observed in BC. Higher levels of social capital flattened the income gradient in language and cognitive development in both provinces, and social competence in Ontario. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Anita Minh & Lisa Ritland & Simon Webb & Barry Forer & Marni Brownell & Eric Duku & Monique Gagné & Magdalena Janus & Nazeem Muhajarine & Martin Guhn, 2022. "Does social capital flatten the social gradient in early childhood development? An ecological study of two provinces in Canada," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 159(2), pages 549-568, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:159:y:2022:i:2:d:10.1007_s11205-021-02753-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-021-02753-0
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