Social Capital and Health in a National Cohort of 82,482 Open University Adults in Thailand

Journal of Health Psychology, Vol. 16, No. 4, pp. 632-642, 2011

11 Pages Posted: 13 Jul 2011 Last revised: 12 Aug 2014

See all articles by Vasoontara Yiengprugsawan

Vasoontara Yiengprugsawan

Australian National University (ANU)

S. Khamman

Australian National University (ANU)

Sam-Ang Seubsman

Australian National University (ANU)

Lynette L. Y. Lim

Australian National University (ANU) - Main

Adrian Sleigh

Australian National University (ANU) - National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health

Thai Cohort Study Team

Independent

Date Written: July 11, 2011

Abstract

We report associations between social capital and health among 82,482 adults in a national cohort of Open University students residing throughout Thailand.After adjusting for covariates, poor self-assessed health was positively associated with low social trust (OR = 1.88; 95% CI 1.76-2.01) and low social support (OR = 1.79; 95% CI 1.63-1.95). In addition, poor psychological health was also associated with low social trust (OR = 2.52; 95% CI 2.41-2.64) and low social support (OR = 1.80; 95% CI 1.69-1.92). Females, elderly, unpartnered, low income, and urban residents were associated with poor health. Findings suggest ways to improve social capital and heath in Thailand and other middle-income countries.

Keywords: social capital, social trust, self-assessed health, psychological health, Thailand

JEL Classification: I00, I10

Suggested Citation

Yiengprugsawan, Vasoontara and Khamman, S. and Seubsman, Sam-Ang and Lim, Lynette L. Y. and Sleigh, Adrian and Team, Thai Cohort Study, Social Capital and Health in a National Cohort of 82,482 Open University Adults in Thailand (July 11, 2011). Journal of Health Psychology, Vol. 16, No. 4, pp. 632-642, 2011, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1883984

Vasoontara Yiengprugsawan (Contact Author)

Australian National University (ANU) ( email )

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601
Australia

S. Khamman

Australian National University (ANU)

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601
Australia

Sam-Ang Seubsman

Australian National University (ANU) ( email )

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601
Australia

Lynette L. Y. Lim

Australian National University (ANU) - Main ( email )

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601
Australia

Adrian Sleigh

Australian National University (ANU) - National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health ( email )

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Australia

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