The protective role of social capital for wellbeing and the dynamic interplay between community, family and work for different sorts of people in society

Abstract

Question: Social participation is typically associated with better mental health, but the practical utility of this pattern is undermined by inconsistencies in the strength and direction of the relationship. To understand why this is, we tested two hypotheses. Firstly, community, family and work spheres cumulatively produce different outcomes for different socio-demographic subpopulations in society. Secondly, these different outcomes occur because the quality and personal significance of different forms of participation is different for different socio-demographic subpopulations in society. Methods: Two studies were conducted to test our hypotheses. Study 1 used cluster analysis to examine a nationally representative Australian dataset (Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey, wave 6, N=1503) and identify distinct groupings of people. Regressions were then performed to examine how different participation profiles affected wellbeing for the different groupings of people. Study 2 used a community sample of adults living in Canberra, Australia (N=900) to intensively examine the psychological mechanisms that positively and negatively link social participation with mental health for different subpopulations. Results: Family structure, gender, ethnicity, age and income were relevant when grouping people into different subpopulations, and there were distinct relationships between participation and wellbeing for different subpopulations, especially disadvantaged people. Results also showed that community, family and work participation gave different types of people access to different psychological resources like a sense of belonging and a sense of mastery, and these resources moderated the impact of participation on mental health. Conclusions: Recommendations are made for health promotion strategies regarding optimal modes of social participation for different sections of society.