The role of social capital in empowering rural community for reducing environmental hazards: the case study of Khodabandeh, Iran

Social capital approaches consider the empowerment of societies against disasters, which enable rural communities to recover from negative effects hazards. is a mediator for collective action and can help people build common property resources. Not only social improve access natural resources, it also physical capital. Using descriptive analytical survey, this article analyzes impact on managing an earthquake in villages Khodabandeh northwest Iran. The findings indicate that according single sample T test as well opinions local authorities household heads. components attitude cohesion have strongest direct effect reducing vulnerability at level households authorities, component trust has indirect effect, network no either level.