Social Capital and Health in Thailand
Author Information
Author(s): Vasoontara Yiengprugsawan, Suwanee Khamman, Sam-ang Seubsman, Lynette L-Y Lim, Adrian C. Sleigh
Primary Institution: The Australian National University
Hypothesis
What is the relationship between social capital and health among adults in Thailand?
Conclusion
The study found that low social trust and low social support are associated with poor self-assessed and psychological health among adults in Thailand.
Supporting Evidence
- Poor self-assessed health was positively associated with low social trust and low social support.
- Females, elderly, unpartnered individuals, low-income earners, and urban residents reported poorer health outcomes.
- Low social trust was associated with an odds ratio of 1.88 for poor self-assessed health.
- Low social support was associated with an odds ratio of 1.80 for both self-assessed and psychological health.
Takeaway
If people in Thailand don't trust each other or feel supported by friends and family, they might feel unwell or sad.
Methodology
The study analyzed data from a cohort of 82,482 adults aged 20-49 years, using logistic regression to assess the relationship between social capital and health outcomes.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to self-reported health measures and the cross-sectional nature of the study.
Limitations
The study is cross-sectional, making it difficult to determine the direction of the relationship between social capital and health.
Participant Demographics
The cohort consisted of 45% males, median age of 29 years, with 95% identifying as Buddhist.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI 1.76–2.01 for self-assessed health; 95% CI 2.41–2.64 for psychological health
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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