Informal Social Capital and Infection Prevention Behavior

• In Event: Qualitative Methods & Sexuality and Politics & Health Politics and Health Policy Virtual Poster Session
  In Virtual Poster Session: Health Policy and Politics Virtual Poster Session

Abstract

Does informal social capital enhance infection prevention behavior? Previous studies show that formal social capital, represented by civic participation and generalized trust, contributes to pro-social behavior such as infection prevention behavior including social distancing under Covid-19. In developing countries, however, formal social capital is in short supply; instead, informal social capital, which rests on informal bonds and trust with particular people or groups, is relatively more abundant. Using the probability sample (N = 1301) that represents Turkey, we examined the impact of formal and informal social capital on anti-Covid-19 infection prevention behavior, measured by a four-item composite index. Four aspects of informal social capital were operationalized using the respondent’s reported experience in the previous year: (1) the frequency in meeting with friends, (2) the frequency in meeting with neighbors, (3) the factor score for giving social support to friends or neighbors, (4) the factor score for getting social support from friends or neighbors. Formal social capital was captured using the standard measurement of generalized trust. The results of regression analysis showed that only social support giving had a significant effect while the other three aspects of informal social capital as well as formal social capital did not. Further analysis showed that social support giving had an especially strong effect on avoidance in meeting with relatives and friends but also moderate effects on mask wearing. Then why is formal social capital not associated with infection prevention behavior? Our preliminary finding from the structural equation model using concerns about asymptomatic infection as a mediating variable suggests that individuals who reported generalized trust see others as trustworthy but not necessarily reciprocate trust or cooperation.

Author

• Yasushi Hazama, Institute of Developing Economies