title: Role of socialization in explaining social inequalities in health.
abstract: This paper argues that social selection, materialist/structural and cultural/behavioural explanations for social inequalities in health are related to each other through the mechanism of socialization, seen here as a process through which societies shape patterns of behaviour and being that then affect health. Socialization involves the inter- and intragenerational transfer of attitudes, beliefs and behaviours. Parallels between socialization theory and Bourdieu's concept of habitus are also drawn, and the implications for social epidemiology are discussed. Four key areas that would benefit from research within the socialization framework are identified: health behaviours, psychological vulnerability, social skills and future time perspective.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, International Centre for Health and Society, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 6BT, UK. a.singh-manoux@ucl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Archana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Singh-Manoux
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marmot
mesh_terms: D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D012106:Research; D012923:Social Class; D012951:Socialization