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Pre-Disaster Social Capital and Disaster Recovery in Wenchuan Earthquake-Stricken Rural Communities

Author

Listed:
  • Jianwen Wei

    (China Academy of Social Management/School of Sociology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Yang Han

    (Department of Sociology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

This study examined the impact of social capital on disaster recovery in the 2008 earthquake-stricken rural communities in Wenchuan, China. The results show that quake-affected households having more social capital recovered more easily and quickly from disasters. A larger network significantly increased the amount of government aid received for housing reconstruction. This indicates that network members assist the quake-affected households to apply for and obtain government aid. These findings imply that social capital, as a kind of non-institutionalized social force, facilitates earthquake-affected households’ recovery from disaster in rural China. Based on these results, this study suggests that policymakers should pay special attention to improving the social capital of existing local households to improve disaster recovery.

Suggested Citation

  • Jianwen Wei & Yang Han, 2018. "Pre-Disaster Social Capital and Disaster Recovery in Wenchuan Earthquake-Stricken Rural Communities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-16, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:6:p:2046-:d:152880
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Gujun Pu, 2026. "Comparison of the themes of critical factors affecting livelihood recovery following major disasters: a comparative study between China and New Zealand," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 13(1), pages 1-18, December.
    2. Michael R.M. Abrigo & Arlan Brucal, 2019. "National-to-Local Aid and Recovery from Extreme Weather Events: Evidence from the Philippines," ADB Economics Working Paper Series 598, Asian Development Bank.
    3. Zhichao Li & Xihan Tan, 2018. "Revitalization of Trust in Local Government after Wenchuan Earthquake: Constraints and Strategies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-19, November.
    4. Vo Hoang Ha & Takeshi Mizunoya & Nguyen Duc Kien & Truong Quang Dung & Le Thanh An & Nguyen Thai Phan & Nguyen Quang Tan & Pham Thi Trieu Tien & Nguyen Cong Dinh, 2022. "Post-flood recovery in the central coastal plain of Vietnam: determinants and policy implications," Asia-Pacific Journal of Regional Science, Springer, vol. 6(3), pages 899-929, October.
    5. Olivia Jensen & Corinne Ong, 2020. "Collaborative Action for Community Resilience to Climate Risks: Opportunities and Barriers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-19, April.
    6. Junlei Yu & Timothy Sim & Wenhua Qi & Zhe Zhu, 2020. "Communication with Local Officials, Self-Efficacy, and Individual Disaster Preparedness: A Case Study of Rural Northwestern China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-14, July.
    7. Wing Shan Kan & Raul P. Lejano, 2023. "Relationality: The Role of Connectedness in the Social Ecology of Resilience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-7, February.
    8. Gujun Pu & Alice Chang-Richards & Suzanne Wilkinson & Regan Potangaroa, 2021. "What makes a successful livelihood recovery? a study of China’s Lushan earthquake," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 105(3), pages 2543-2567, February.

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