Health Policy Manag.  2023 Sep;33(3):338-354. 10.4332/KJHPA.2023.33.3.338.

Social Capital Trends and the Relationship between Social Capital and COVID-19–Related Behaviors & Perceptions

• Lee GC

• KMID: 2549118
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4332/KJHPA.2023.33.3.338

Abstract

Background
The influence of social capital on the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and related behaviors and perceptions has been recognized during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to analyze the trends in social capital using primary data from the Korean Community Health Survey, which is the only available source in Korea for local-level social capital analysis. It also investigates the relationship between various variables, including social capital, as factors influencing COVID-19–related behaviors and perceptions.
Methods
The study analyzed the temporal trends of social capital using raw data from four community health surveys conducted in 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021. A multilevel analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between social capital and COVID-19– related behaviors and perceptions following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Results
Social capital consists of trust, bonding social capital, and bridging social capital. Within the trust sub-factor, trust in neighbors (Trust-1) declined after the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas trust in safety and general environment (Trust-2) and trust in medical services and public transportation (Trust-3) increased. Additionally, the gap between municipalities narrowed. COVID-19– related behaviors and perceptions, such as adherence to COVID-19 prevention measures, return to normal activities, and fear of COVID-19, showed improvement in 2021 compared to the previous year. Individual-level trust in neighbors was associated with reduced fear of COVID-19, while community-level trust in neighbors was associated with increased fear of COVID-19.
Conclusion
Social capital plays a role in mitigating public health crises, and it is necessary to implement active policies that address the gap in social capital between metropolitan and rural areas. Strengthening risk communication regarding emerging infectious diseases such as COVID-19 is crucial.

Keyword

COVID-19; Social capital; Trust; Health behavior; Community Health Survey