title: The association between social capital and mental health and behavioural problems in children and adolescents: an integrative systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mental health is an important component of overall health and wellbeing and crucial for a happy and meaningful life. The prevalence of mental health problems amongst children and adolescent is high; with estimates suggesting 10-20% suffer from mental health problems at any given time. These mental health problems include internalising (e.g. depression and social anxiety) and externalising behavioural problems (e.g. aggression and anti-social behaviour). Although social capital has been shown to be associated with mental health/behavioural problems in young people, attempts to consolidate the evidence in the form of a review have been limited. This integrative systematic review identified and synthesised international research findings on the role and impact of family and community social capital on mental health/behavioural problems in children and adolescents to provide a consolidated evidence base to inform future research and policy development.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine electronic databases were searched for relevant studies and this was followed by hand searching. Identified literature was screened using review-specific inclusion/exclusion criteria, the data were extracted from the included studies and study quality was assessed. Heterogeneity in study design and outcomes precluded meta-analysis/meta-synthesis, the results are therefore presented in narrative form.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After screening, 55 studies were retained. The majority were cross-sectional surveys and were conducted in North America (n = 33); seven were conducted in the UK. Samples ranged in size from 29 to 98,340. The synthesised results demonstrate that family and community social capital are associated with mental health/behavioural problems in children and adolescents. Positive parent-child relations, extended family support, social support networks, religiosity, neighbourhood and school quality appear to be particularly important.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To date, this is the most comprehensive review of the evidence on the relationships that exist between social capital and mental health/behavioural problems in children and adolescents. It suggests that social capital generated and mobilised at the family and community level can influence mental health/problem behaviour outcomes in young people. In addition, it highlights key gaps in knowledge where future research could further illuminate the mechanisms through which social capital works to influence health and wellbeing and thus inform policy development.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Applied Health Research, School of Health & Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow, G4 0BA UK.
authors.forename: Kerri E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: McPherson
authors.affiliation: Institute for Applied Health Research, School of Health & Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow, G4 0BA UK.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kerr
authors.affiliation: Institute for Applied Health Research, School of Health & Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow, G4 0BA UK.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: McGee
authors.affiliation: GCU London, 40 Fashion Street, Spitalfields, London, E1 6PX UK.
authors.forename: Antony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ UK.
authors.forename: Francine M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Cheater
authors.affiliation: Glasgow Centre for Population Health, 1st Floor, House 6, 94 Elmbank Street, Glasgow, G2 4DL UK.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McLean
authors.affiliation: Glasgow Centre for Population Health, 1st Floor, House 6, 94 Elmbank Street, Glasgow, G2 4DL UK.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Egan
keywords: Adolescents; Behavioural problems; Children; Community social capital; Externalising behaviours; Family social capital; Internalising behaviours; Mental health; Self-esteem; Wellbeing