Developing Behavioral Theory With the Systematic Integration of Community Social Capital Concepts.

ABSTRACT: Health behavior theories state that social environments influence health behaviors, but theories of how this occurs are relatively underdeveloped. This article systematically surveys community social capital concepts in health behavior literature and proposes a conceptual framework that integrates these concepts into existing behavioral theory. Fifty-three studies tested associations between community social capital concepts and physical activity (38 studies), smoking (19 studies), and diet (2 studies). Trustworthiness of community members was consistently associated with more health-promoting and less disease-promoting behaviors in 19 studies. Neighborly reciprocity showed mixed results in 10 studies. Reporting a good sense of community was associated with more physical activity in only 5

SUBMITTER: Samuel LJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4002661 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature