Comparing levels of social capital in three northern post-industrial UK cities

D Walsh; G McCartney; S McCullough; M van der Pol; D Buchanan; R Jones

doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2015.02.024

Comparing levels of social capital in three northern post-industrial UK cities

D Walsh, G McCartney, S McCullough, M van der Pol, D Buchanan, R Jones

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: A high level of 'excess' mortality (i.e. that seemingly not explained by deprivation) has been shown for Scotland compared to England & Wales and, in particular, for its largest city, Glasgow, compared to the similarly deprived postindustrial English cities of Liverpool and Manchester. The excess has been observed across all social classes, but, for premature mortality, has been shown to be highest in comparison of those of lowest socio-economic status (SES). Many theories have been proposed to explain this phenomenon. One such suggestion relates to potential differences in social capital between the cities, given the previously evidenced links between social capital and mortality. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether any aspects of social capital differed between the cities and whether, therefore, this might be a plausible explanation for some of the excess mortality observed in Glasgow.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.

METHODS: A representative survey of Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester was undertaken in 2011. Social capital was measured using an expanded version of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) core 'Social Capital Harmonised Question Set'. Differences between the cities in five sets of social capital topics (views about the local area, civic participation, social networks and support, social participation, and reciprocity and trust) were explored by means of a series of multivariate regression models, while controlling for differences in the characteristics (age, gender, SES, ethnicity etc.) of the samples.

RESULTS: Some, but not all, aspects of social capital were lower among the Glasgow sample compared to those in Liverpool and Manchester. A number of these differences were greatest among those of higher, rather than lower, SES. Levels of social participation, trust and (some measures of) reciprocity were lower in Glasgow, particularly in comparison with Liverpool. However, assessment of any potential impact of these differences is limited by the cross-sectional nature of the data.

CONCLUSIONS: The analyses suggest it is at least possible that differences in some aspects of social capital could play some part in explaining Glasgow's excess mortality, especially among particular sections of its population (e.g. those of higher SES). However, in the absence of more detailed longitudinal data, this remains speculative.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	629-638
Number of pages	10
Journal	Public Health
Volume	129
Issue number	6
Early online date	29 Mar 2015
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2015.02.024
Publication status	Published - 1 Jun 2015

Bibliographical note

Acknowledgements
This work would not have been possible without the co-operation, participation and assistance of a number of individuals and organisations. Thanks are due, first and foremost, to all the survey respondents in Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester for giving up their time to complete the questionnaire. Grateful thanks are also due to the following for their help, time and efforts: Jo Christensen, Paul Murphy, Jeremy Hardin, and Jodie Knight at AECOM Social and Market Research; Ruth McLaughlin, formerly of GCPH, for initial work in the development of the questionnaire; Catherine Ferrell at the MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, for help and insights in commissioning the survey; David Regan, Public Health Manchester, and Paula Grey, Liverpool Primary Care Trust, as well as Colin Cox (Public Health Manchester), Julia Taylor (formerly of Liverpool Primary Care Trust and Liverpool Healthy Cities) and Alison Petrie-Brown (Liverpool Primary Care Trust), for invaluable help in encouraging local participation in the survey; Phil Mason, Mark Livingston, and Maria Gannon, University of Glasgow, for additional statistical support and advice; and the Office of National Statistics (ONS) for use of (a modified version of) their social capital survey questions.

Funding
The survey was jointly funded by NHS Health Scotland and the Glasgow Centre for Population Health.

Keywords

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Cities
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Glasgow
Humans
Postindustrial
Male
Middle Aged
Excess Mortality
Social Capital
Liverpool
Manchester
Glasgow effect

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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Cite this

@article{375e63c38ca94cd98ae703fe4bc39d3b,

title = "Comparing levels of social capital in three northern post-industrial UK cities",

abstract = "OBJECTIVES: A high level of 'excess' mortality (i.e. that seemingly not explained by deprivation) has been shown for Scotland compared to England & Wales and, in particular, for its largest city, Glasgow, compared to the similarly deprived postindustrial English cities of Liverpool and Manchester. The excess has been observed across all social classes, but, for premature mortality, has been shown to be highest in comparison of those of lowest socio-economic status (SES). Many theories have been proposed to explain this phenomenon. One such suggestion relates to potential differences in social capital between the cities, given the previously evidenced links between social capital and mortality. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether any aspects of social capital differed between the cities and whether, therefore, this might be a plausible explanation for some of the excess mortality observed in Glasgow.STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.METHODS: A representative survey of Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester was undertaken in 2011. Social capital was measured using an expanded version of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) core 'Social Capital Harmonised Question Set'. Differences between the cities in five sets of social capital topics (views about the local area, civic participation, social networks and support, social participation, and reciprocity and trust) were explored by means of a series of multivariate regression models, while controlling for differences in the characteristics (age, gender, SES, ethnicity etc.) of the samples.RESULTS: Some, but not all, aspects of social capital were lower among the Glasgow sample compared to those in Liverpool and Manchester. A number of these differences were greatest among those of higher, rather than lower, SES. Levels of social participation, trust and (some measures of) reciprocity were lower in Glasgow, particularly in comparison with Liverpool. However, assessment of any potential impact of these differences is limited by the cross-sectional nature of the data.CONCLUSIONS: The analyses suggest it is at least possible that differences in some aspects of social capital could play some part in explaining Glasgow's excess mortality, especially among particular sections of its population (e.g. those of higher SES). However, in the absence of more detailed longitudinal data, this remains speculative.",

keywords = "Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Cities, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Glasgow, Humans, Postindustrial , Male, Middle Aged, Excess Mortality, Social Capital, Liverpool, Manchester , Glasgow effect",

author = "D Walsh and G McCartney and S McCullough and {van der Pol}, M and D Buchanan and R Jones",

note = "Acknowledgements This work would not have been possible without the co-operation, participation and assistance of a number of individuals and organisations. Thanks are due, first and foremost, to all the survey respondents in Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester for giving up their time to complete the questionnaire. Grateful thanks are also due to the following for their help, time and efforts: Jo Christensen, Paul Murphy, Jeremy Hardin, and Jodie Knight at AECOM Social and Market Research; Ruth McLaughlin, formerly of GCPH, for initial work in the development of the questionnaire; Catherine Ferrell at the MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, for help and insights in commissioning the survey; David Regan, Public Health Manchester, and Paula Grey, Liverpool Primary Care Trust, as well as Colin Cox (Public Health Manchester), Julia Taylor (formerly of Liverpool Primary Care Trust and Liverpool Healthy Cities) and Alison Petrie-Brown (Liverpool Primary Care Trust), for invaluable help in encouraging local participation in the survey; Phil Mason, Mark Livingston, and Maria Gannon, University of Glasgow, for additional statistical support and advice; and the Office of National Statistics (ONS) for use of (a modified version of) their social capital survey questions. Funding The survey was jointly funded by NHS Health Scotland and the Glasgow Centre for Population Health.",

year = "2015",

month = jun,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1016/j.puhe.2015.02.024",

language = "English",

volume = "129",

pages = "629--638",

journal = "Public Health",

issn = "0033-3506",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Comparing levels of social capital in three northern post-industrial UK cities

AU - Walsh, D

AU - McCartney, G

AU - McCullough, S

AU - van der Pol, M

AU - Buchanan, D

AU - Jones, R

N1 - Acknowledgements This work would not have been possible without the co-operation, participation and assistance of a number of individuals and organisations. Thanks are due, first and foremost, to all the survey respondents in Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester for giving up their time to complete the questionnaire. Grateful thanks are also due to the following for their help, time and efforts: Jo Christensen, Paul Murphy, Jeremy Hardin, and Jodie Knight at AECOM Social and Market Research; Ruth McLaughlin, formerly of GCPH, for initial work in the development of the questionnaire; Catherine Ferrell at the MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, for help and insights in commissioning the survey; David Regan, Public Health Manchester, and Paula Grey, Liverpool Primary Care Trust, as well as Colin Cox (Public Health Manchester), Julia Taylor (formerly of Liverpool Primary Care Trust and Liverpool Healthy Cities) and Alison Petrie-Brown (Liverpool Primary Care Trust), for invaluable help in encouraging local participation in the survey; Phil Mason, Mark Livingston, and Maria Gannon, University of Glasgow, for additional statistical support and advice; and the Office of National Statistics (ONS) for use of (a modified version of) their social capital survey questions. Funding The survey was jointly funded by NHS Health Scotland and the Glasgow Centre for Population Health.

PY - 2015/6/1

Y1 - 2015/6/1

N2 - OBJECTIVES: A high level of 'excess' mortality (i.e. that seemingly not explained by deprivation) has been shown for Scotland compared to England & Wales and, in particular, for its largest city, Glasgow, compared to the similarly deprived postindustrial English cities of Liverpool and Manchester. The excess has been observed across all social classes, but, for premature mortality, has been shown to be highest in comparison of those of lowest socio-economic status (SES). Many theories have been proposed to explain this phenomenon. One such suggestion relates to potential differences in social capital between the cities, given the previously evidenced links between social capital and mortality. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether any aspects of social capital differed between the cities and whether, therefore, this might be a plausible explanation for some of the excess mortality observed in Glasgow.STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.METHODS: A representative survey of Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester was undertaken in 2011. Social capital was measured using an expanded version of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) core 'Social Capital Harmonised Question Set'. Differences between the cities in five sets of social capital topics (views about the local area, civic participation, social networks and support, social participation, and reciprocity and trust) were explored by means of a series of multivariate regression models, while controlling for differences in the characteristics (age, gender, SES, ethnicity etc.) of the samples.RESULTS: Some, but not all, aspects of social capital were lower among the Glasgow sample compared to those in Liverpool and Manchester. A number of these differences were greatest among those of higher, rather than lower, SES. Levels of social participation, trust and (some measures of) reciprocity were lower in Glasgow, particularly in comparison with Liverpool. However, assessment of any potential impact of these differences is limited by the cross-sectional nature of the data.CONCLUSIONS: The analyses suggest it is at least possible that differences in some aspects of social capital could play some part in explaining Glasgow's excess mortality, especially among particular sections of its population (e.g. those of higher SES). However, in the absence of more detailed longitudinal data, this remains speculative.

AB - OBJECTIVES: A high level of 'excess' mortality (i.e. that seemingly not explained by deprivation) has been shown for Scotland compared to England & Wales and, in particular, for its largest city, Glasgow, compared to the similarly deprived postindustrial English cities of Liverpool and Manchester. The excess has been observed across all social classes, but, for premature mortality, has been shown to be highest in comparison of those of lowest socio-economic status (SES). Many theories have been proposed to explain this phenomenon. One such suggestion relates to potential differences in social capital between the cities, given the previously evidenced links between social capital and mortality. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether any aspects of social capital differed between the cities and whether, therefore, this might be a plausible explanation for some of the excess mortality observed in Glasgow.STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.METHODS: A representative survey of Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester was undertaken in 2011. Social capital was measured using an expanded version of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) core 'Social Capital Harmonised Question Set'. Differences between the cities in five sets of social capital topics (views about the local area, civic participation, social networks and support, social participation, and reciprocity and trust) were explored by means of a series of multivariate regression models, while controlling for differences in the characteristics (age, gender, SES, ethnicity etc.) of the samples.RESULTS: Some, but not all, aspects of social capital were lower among the Glasgow sample compared to those in Liverpool and Manchester. A number of these differences were greatest among those of higher, rather than lower, SES. Levels of social participation, trust and (some measures of) reciprocity were lower in Glasgow, particularly in comparison with Liverpool. However, assessment of any potential impact of these differences is limited by the cross-sectional nature of the data.CONCLUSIONS: The analyses suggest it is at least possible that differences in some aspects of social capital could play some part in explaining Glasgow's excess mortality, especially among particular sections of its population (e.g. those of higher SES). However, in the absence of more detailed longitudinal data, this remains speculative.

KW - Adolescent

KW - Adult

KW - Aged

KW - Cities

KW - Cross-Sectional Studies

KW - Female

KW - Glasgow

KW - Humans

KW - Postindustrial

KW - Male

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Excess Mortality

KW - Social Capital

KW - Liverpool

KW - Manchester

KW - Glasgow effect

U2 - 10.1016/j.puhe.2015.02.024

DO - 10.1016/j.puhe.2015.02.024

M3 - Article

C2 - 25823706

SN - 0033-3506

VL - 129

SP - 629

EP - 638

JO - Public Health

JF - Public Health

IS - 6

ER -

Comparing levels of social capital in three northern post-industrial UK cities

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

UN SDGs

Access to Document

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