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U.S. State-Level Social Capital and Health-Related Quality of Life: Multilevel Evidence of Main, Mediating, and Modifying Effects
- Source :
-
Annals of Epidemiology . Apr2007, Vol. 17 Issue 4, p258-269. 12p. - Publication Year :
- 2007
-
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. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Subjects :
- *SOCIAL capital
*QUALITY of life
*HEALTH status indicators
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 10472797
- Volume :
- 17
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Annals of Epidemiology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 24460604
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annepidem.2006.10.002