U.S. state-level social capital and health-related quality of life: multilevel evidence of main, mediating, and modifying effects.

Full Abstract

PURPOSE:
The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between state-level social capital and adult health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in the United States.

METHODS:
Using data from the 2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey and other surveys and administrative sources, we conducted a two-level, multivariable analysis of 173,236 adults in 48 U.S. states to estimate the associations of state-level social capital (along two scales) with individual-level self-rated general health and the numbers of recent days of poor physical health, poor mental health, and activity limitation.

RESULTS:
For each social capital scale, living in a state intermediate or high (vs. low) in social capital was each associated with 10% to 11% lower odds of fair/poor health. Higher state-level social capital also predicted fewer recent days of poor physical and mental health and activity limitation. Differential returns of social capital to HRQOL according to state-level mean income and individual-level age and race/ethnicity were observed. Furthermore, evidence was found compatible with mediation by social capital of income inequality effects on HRQOL.

CONCLUSIONS:
This study yields new evidence consistent with protective effects of state-level social capital on individual HRQOL. Promoting social capital may provide a means of improving the health-related quality of life of Americans.

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Author information

Author/s: Kim, Daniel (D); Kawachi, Ichiro (I);

Affiliation: Department of Society, Human Development, and Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA. dkim(-atsign-)hsph.harvard.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Annals of epidemiology (Ann Epidemiol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Apr; vol 17 (issue 4) : pp 258-69

Dates: Created 2007/03/26; Completed 2007/06/12; Revised 2008/06/23;

PMID: 17324589, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Female
Health Status

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