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The dark side of social capital: A systematic review of the negative health effects of social capital

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  • Villalonga-Olives, E.
  • Kawachi, I.

Abstract

There is a growing literature demonstrating the health benefits of social capital (defined as the resources accessed through social connections). However, social capital is also acknowledged to be a “double-edged” phenomenon, whose effects on health are not always positive. We sought to systematically review studies that have found a negative (i.e. harmful) association between social capital and health outcomes. Our objective was to classify the different types of negative effects, following a framework originally proposed by Portes (1998).

Suggested Citation

  • Villalonga-Olives, E. & Kawachi, I., 2017. "The dark side of social capital: A systematic review of the negative health effects of social capital," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 194(C), pages 105-127.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:194:y:2017:i:c:p:105-127
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.10.020
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