title: Local community playgroup participation and associations with social capital.
abstract: Issue addressed The study aim was to investigate the relationships between social capital measures and playgroup participation in a local residential area for parents with children of playgroup age (1-4 years) compared with non-participation and participation in a playgroup outside the local residential area. Research indicates playgroup participation has benefits for families, however, less is known about the potential local community social capital for parents who participate in playgroups. Methods Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey from March 2013 to January 2014 in Perth, Western Australia. The data from a group of parents (n=405) who had at least one child aged between 1 and 4 years were analysed using multivariable regression. Reported playgroup participation (local, outside the area or non-participation) in the previous 12 months was investigated for associations with three measures (Neighbourhood Cohesion Index, Social Capital and Citizenship Survey and local reciprocity) that capture attributes of social capital. Results Participation in playgroup locally was generally associated with higher levels of social capital than both participation in playgroup outside the local area and non-participation. Mothers with two or more children fared better for social capital measures than mothers with one child. Conclusions Participation in a locally placed playgroup may provide an important opportunity for families with children of playgroup age (1-4 years) to build social capital in their local community. So what? Playgroups in a family's local area have the potential to foster locally placed social capital through community interaction, social networks and cohesion, which are important for mental health promotion in communities.
authors: School of Population Health, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway M431, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
authors: Cecily
authors: C
authors: Strange
authors: School of Population Health, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway M431, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: Bremner
authors: School of Population Health, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway M431, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
authors: Colleen
authors: C
authors: Fisher
authors: Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer Control, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia.
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Howat
authors: School of Population Health, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway M431, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Wood
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D003256:Community Participation; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010379:Peer Group; D010988:Play and Playthings; D066270:Social Capital; D012944:Social Support; D014904:Western Australia