IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v13y2021i23p13161-d689574.html

Social Capital and Sustainable Social Development—How Are Changes in Neighbourhood Social Capital Associated with Neighbourhood Sociodemographic and Socioeconomic Characteristics?

Author

Listed:
  • Malin Eriksson

    (Department of Social Work, Umeå University, Universitetstorget 4, 907 36 Umeå, Sweden)

  • Ailiana Santosa

    (School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 18A, 413 90 Gothenburg, Sweden)

  • Liv Zetterberg

    (Department of Social Work, Umeå University, Universitetstorget 4, 907 36 Umeå, Sweden)

  • Ichiro Kawachi

    (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA)

  • Nawi Ng

    (School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 18A, 413 90 Gothenburg, Sweden)

Abstract

The development of social capital is acknowledged as key for sustainable social development. Little is known about how social capital changes over time and how it correlates with sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors. This study was conducted in 46 neighbourhoods in Umeå Municipality, northern Sweden. The aim was to examine neighbourhood-level characteristics associated with changes in neighbourhood social capital and to discuss implications for local policies for sustainable social development. We designed an ecological study linking survey data to registry data in 2006 and 2020. Over 14 years, social capital increased in 9 and decreased in 15 neighbourhoods. Higher levels of social capital were associated with specific sociodemographic factors, but these differed in urban and rural areas. Urban neighbourhoods with a higher proportion of older pensioners (OR = 1.49, CI: 1.16–1.92), children under 12 (OR= 2.13, CI: 1.31–3.47), or a lower proportion of foreign-born members (OR= 0.32, CI: 0.19–0.55) had higher odds for higher social capital levels. In rural neighbourhoods, a higher proportion of single-parent households was associated with higher levels of social capital (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.04–1.98). Neighbourhood socioeconomic factors such as income or educational level did not influence neighbourhood social capital. Using repeated measures of social capital, this study gives insights into how social capital changes over time in local areas and the factors influencing its development. Local policies to promote social capital for sustainable social development should strive to integrate diverse demographic groups within neighbourhoods and should increase opportunities for inter-ethnic interactions.

Suggested Citation

  • Malin Eriksson & Ailiana Santosa & Liv Zetterberg & Ichiro Kawachi & Nawi Ng, 2021. "Social Capital and Sustainable Social Development—How Are Changes in Neighbourhood Social Capital Associated with Neighbourhood Sociodemographic and Socioeconomic Characteristics?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-22, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:23:p:13161-:d:689574
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/23/13161/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/23/13161/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. M. Reza Shirazi & Ramin Keivani, 2019. "The triad of social sustainability: Defining and measuring social sustainability of urban neighbourhoods," Urban Research & Practice, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 12(4), pages 448-471, October.
    2. Paul F. Whiteley, 2000. "Economic Growth and Social Capital," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 48(3), pages 443-466, June.
    3. Sara Ferlander & Duncan Timms, 2007. "Social Capital and Community Building through the Internet: A Swedish Case Study in a Disadvantaged Suburban Area," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 12(5), pages 1-17, September.
    4. Poortinga, Wouter, 2006. "Social relations or social capital? Individual and community health effects of bonding social capital," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(1), pages 255-270, July.
    5. Chisun Yoo & Sugie Lee, 2016. "Neighborhood Built Environments Affecting Social Capital and Social Sustainability in Seoul, Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-22, December.
    6. Carina Weingaertner & Åsa Moberg, 2014. "Exploring Social Sustainability: Learning from Perspectives on Urban Development and Companies and Products," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 22(2), pages 122-133, March.
    7. Snelgrove, John W. & Pikhart, Hynek & Stafford, Mai, 2009. "A multilevel analysis of social capital and self-rated health: Evidence from the British Household Panel Survey," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(11), pages 1993-2001, June.
    8. Natalia Letki, 2008. "Does Diversity Erode Social Cohesion? Social Capital and Race in British Neighbourhoods," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 56, pages 99-126, March.
    9. Eriksson, Malin & Ng, Nawi & Weinehall, Lars & Emmelin, Maria, 2011. "The importance of gender and conceptualization for understanding the association between collective social capital and health: A multilevel analysis from northern Sweden," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 73(2), pages 264-273, July.
    10. Hutchinson, Rebbeca N. & Putt, Mary A. & Dean, Lorraine T. & Long, Judith A. & Montagnet, Chantal A. & Armstrong, Katrina, 2009. "Neighborhood racial composition, social capital and black all-cause mortality in Philadelphia," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(10), pages 1859-1865, May.
    11. Farquhar, S.A. & Michael, Y.L. & Wiggins, N., 2005. "Building on leadership and social capital to create change in 2 urban communities," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 95(4), pages 596-601.
    12. Natalia Letki, 2008. "Does Diversity Erode Social Cohesion? Social Capital and Race in British Neighbourhoods," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 56(1), pages 99-126, March.
    13. Woolcock, Michael & Narayan, Deepa, 2000. "Social Capital: Implications for Development Theory, Research, and Policy," The World Bank Research Observer, World Bank, vol. 15(2), pages 225-249, August.
    14. John Helliwell & Haifang Huang & Shun Wang, 2014. "Social Capital and Well-Being in Times of Crisis," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 15(1), pages 145-162, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Eman Hanye Mohamed Nasr & Aisha Mohammed Al Shehhi & Mohamed Ali Mohamed Khalil, 2025. "Social and Economic Influence of Sustainable Development: The Case of Al-Mouj, Muscat, Oman," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-21, October.
    2. František Murgaš & František Petrovič & Anna Tirpáková, 2022. "Social Capital as a Predictor of Quality of Life: The Czech Experience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-17, May.
    3. Tan Yigitcanlar, 2021. "Greening the Artificial Intelligence for a Sustainable Planet: An Editorial Commentary," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-9, December.
    4. Magdalena Sjöberg, 2025. "From a bad to good reputation: a case study illustrating the re-branding of a stigmatized neighbourhood in Sweden," Place Branding and Public Diplomacy, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 21(2), pages 223-231, June.
    5. Nessica Nässén & Maja Lilja & Stefan Sjöberg & Johan Colding, 2025. "Community climate commons for collective climate action," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(2), pages 2078-2095, April.
    6. Shan Guan & Jianjun Wang, 2023. "Research on the Optimal Design of Community Public Space from the Perspective of Social Capital," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-21, June.
    7. Zaiats, Tеtiana & Kraievska, Halyna & Diakonenko, Oksana, . "Social capital of rural territorial communities in Ukraine: problems of strengthening and directions of their solution," Agricultural and Resource Economics: International Scientific E-Journal, Agricultural and Resource Economics: International Scientific E-Journal, vol. 8(2).
    8. Pawlewicz, Katarzyna & Senetra, Adam, 2024. "Religious involvement in the context of public moral standards and sustainable social development – A case study of Polish voivodeships," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Erik E. Lehmann & Nikolaus Seitz, 2017. "Freedom and innovation: a country and state level analysis," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 42(5), pages 1009-1029, October.
    2. Tampubolon, Gindo, 2009. "Neighbourhood social capital and individual mental health," MPRA Paper 16778, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Chau-kiu Cheung & Stephen Ma, 2011. "Coupling Social Solidarity and Social Harmony in Hong Kong," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 103(1), pages 145-167, August.
    4. Eriksson, Malin & Emmelin, Maria, 2013. "What constitutes a health-enabling neighborhood? A grounded theory situational analysis addressing the significance of social capital and gender," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 112-123.
    5. Han, Sehee, 2013. "Compositional and contextual associations of social capital and self-rated health in Seoul, South Korea: A multilevel analysis of longitudinal evidence," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 113-120.
    6. Sibylle Puntscher & Christoph Hauser & Karin Pichler & Gottfried Tappeiner, 2014. "Social Capital and Collective Memory: A Complex Relationship," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 67(1), pages 116-132, February.
    7. Gereke, Johanna & Schaub, Max & Baldassarri, Delia, 2018. "Ethnic diversity, poverty and social trust in Germany: Evidence from a behavioral measure of trust," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 13(7), pages 1-15.
    8. Bharathi, Naveen & Malghan, Deepak & Rahman, Andaleeb, 2018. "Isolated by Caste: Neighbourhood-Scale Residential Segregation in Indian Metros," SocArXiv 9ynpz, Center for Open Science.
    9. Kustov, Alexander & Pardelli, Giuliana, 2024. "Beyond Diversity: The Role of State Capacity in Fostering Social Cohesion in Brazil," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    10. Linda Bakker & Karien Dekker, 2012. "Social Trust in Urban Neighbourhoods: The Effect of Relative Ethnic Group Position," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 49(10), pages 2031-2047, August.
    11. Salomon, Katja, 2020. "Dynamics of immigrant resentment in Europe," Discussion Papers, Presidential Department P 2020-002, WZB Berlin Social Science Center.
    12. Andrea Wigfield & Royce Turner, 2013. "The Development of the Good Relations Measurement Framework in Britain: A Template for Experiential Social Measurement," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 114(2), pages 655-686, November.
    13. Antti Kouvo & Carita Lockmer, 2013. "Imagine all the Neighbours: Perceived Neighbourhood Ethnicity, Interethnic Friendship Ties and Perceived Ethnic Threat in Four Nordic Countries," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 50(16), pages 3305-3322, December.
    14. Tim Reeskens, 2013. "But Who Are Those “Most People” That Can Be Trusted? Evaluating the Radius of Trust Across 29 European Societies," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 114(2), pages 703-722, November.
    15. Xindong Xue & W. Robert Reed, 2015. "The Relationship Between Social Capital And Health In China," Working Papers in Economics 15/05, University of Canterbury, Department of Economics and Finance.
    16. Haiyang Lu & Peishan Tong & Rong Zhu, 2020. "Longitudinal Evidence on Social Trust and Happiness in China: Causal Effects and Mechanisms," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(5), pages 1841-1858, June.
    17. De Luca, Giacomo Davide & Lin, Xi, 2024. "The role of health and health systems in promoting social capital, political participation and peace: A narrative review," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    18. Morris Levy, 2017. "The Effect of Immigration from Mexico on Social Capital in the United States," International Migration Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(3), pages 757-788, September.
    19. Bujar Aruqaj, 2023. "An Integrated Approach to the Conceptualisation and Measurement of Social Cohesion," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 168(1), pages 227-263, August.
    20. Abdoulaye Diop & Yaojun Li & Majed Mohammmed H. A. Al-Ansari & Kien T. Le, 2017. "Social Capital and Citizens’ Attitudes towards Migrant Workers," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(1), pages 66-79.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:23:p:13161-:d:689574. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.