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The double-edged sword of social capital: Impacts on women's health in extreme poverty

Author

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  • Lawson, David
  • Uddin, Md Moslah

Abstract

Social capital is extremely important in determining health outcomes yet relatively little is known about how different types of social capital impact on individuals' health outcomes, particularly for the poorest in society. We use secondary data generated from a quasi-experimental study conducted among extremely poor women in rural Bangladesh and apply Propensity Score Matching (PSM) technique to create comparable treatment and control groups. Using a comparative analytical approach, we examine how social capital effects vary and investigate how different social capital measures are associated with extremely poor women's health. We find that an increase in social capital is not always good for the health outcomes with effects dependent upon both the efforts required by an individual to acquire social capital and the cost implications associated with creating and maintaining social networks. Equally, we are able to identify a positive link between social capital and self-reported health amongst the population that receive specific interventions, but negative for the control group where the quality, rather than quantity, of social capital is strongly associated with better health outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Lawson, David & Uddin, Md Moslah, 2026. "The double-edged sword of social capital: Impacts on women's health in extreme poverty," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 398(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:398:y:2026:i:c:s0277953626001851
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2026.119109
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    JEL classification:

    • A13 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Social Values
    • C31 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models; Quantile Regressions; Social Interaction Models
    • E22 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Investment; Capital; Intangible Capital; Capacity
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • P46 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - Consumer Economics; Health; Education and Training; Welfare, Income, Wealth, and Poverty

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