Social Sciences and Health: A Framework for Building and Strengthening Social Connectedness

doi:10.1017/9781911623069.003

Chapter 3 - Social Sciences and Health: A Framework for Building and Strengthening Social Connectedness

from Section 1 - Schooling

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 14 June 2019

Catherine Haslam and

S. Alexander Haslam

Edited by

Richard Williams ,

Verity Kemp ,

S. Alexander Haslam ,

Catherine Haslam ,

Kamaldeep S. Bhui and

Susan Bailey

Edited in association with

Daniel Maughan

Show author details

Richard Williams: Affiliation:
University of South Wales
Verity Kemp: Affiliation:
Healthplanning Ltd.
S. Alexander Haslam: Affiliation:
University of Queensland
Catherine Haslam: Affiliation:
University of Queensland
Kamaldeep S. Bhui: Affiliation:
Queen Mary University of London
Susan Bailey: Affiliation:
Centre for Mental Health
Daniel Maughan: Affiliation:
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust

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Summary

Social relationships affect health. Of that we are certain. People who are more strongly connected live longer (e.g. Holt-Lunstad et al., 2010), are in better health (e.g. Boden-Albala et al., 2005) and experience better wellbeing (e.g. Helliwell & Putnam, 2004). None of us is immune to these effects although, clearly, poverty, inequality and age, among other factors, contribute to, and exacerbate the consequences of, social disconnection.

What is more remarkable, in the context of the evidence-base showing the profound impact of these effects, is the relatively limited investment in efforts to build and preserve the social capital of vulnerable communities, on health grounds. Recognising the potential benefits that social resources bring and the mechanisms through which they can emerge is important, but not enough. What is needed is a coherent approach to embed these resources in communities to ensure that the products of social connectedness can be sustained in the longer term.

Type: Chapter
Information: Social Scaffolding
Applying the Lessons of Contemporary Social Science to Health and Healthcare
, pp. 23 - 30

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781911623069.003 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2019

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