A concept analysis of social capital within a health context.
OBJECTIVE
This paper aims to clarify the concept of social capital within a health context using Rodgers's (2000) Evolutionary Method.


METHODS
Published literature.


CONCLUSIONS
The analysis demonstrates that social capital is the intangible assets, including trust, networks, and social norms of reciprocity, possessed by a society within a specific culture. When a unit (individual or a family) increases its sense of community or quality of community participation, this could increase its social capital. The result of this analysis provides a guide for further conceptual and empirical research and clinical practice.
Hsieh
Ching-Hsing
CH
Nursing Department, Chang Gung Institute of Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan. chinghsingesther@hotmail.com
D019058:Community Networks; D003256:Community Participation; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D016294:Models, Nursing; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009014:Morals; D015399:Nursing Research; D012649:Self Concept; D012919:Social Behavior; D012933:Social Identification; D012941:Social Responsibility; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D035502:Trust