Effect of the Connecting People Intervention on Social Capital: A Pilot Study

Objective: This pilot study evaluated the effect of the Connecting People Intervention (CPI) on access to social capital, social inclusion, and mental well-being. Method: A prospective one-group pretest–posttest preexperimental study of 155 people with a mental health problem or a learning disability receiving care and support from health and social care practitioners trained in the CPI was used. Results: Participants exposed to practice with high fidelity to the CPI model had significantly higher access to social capital (p = .03, partial η2 = .05) and perceived social inclusion (p = .01, partial η2 = .07), and lower service costs (−£1,331, 95% confidence interval = [−£69, −£2593]), posttest than those exposed to low fidelity to the model. All participants had significantly higher mental well-being posttest (p < .001). Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that when fully implemented, the CPI can improve social outcomes for people with a mental health problem or learning disability.