Social capital and mental health.

Evidence for inequalities in morbidity and mortality by occupational social and mortality by occupational social class and material standard of living class and material standard of living has become irrefutable (Acheson, has become irrefutable (Acheson, 1998). Attention has now turned to 1998). Attention has now turned to the effects of social context (MacIntyre the effects of social context (MacIntyre et al Despite the political imperative 2001). Despite the political imperative to build 'healthy communities' (Depart-to build 'healthy communities' (Depart-is unclear which aspects of the social, is unclear which aspects of the social, economic and physical environment have economic and physical environment have the greatest effects on health (Sloggett & Lynch et al et al, 2000) or how , 2000) or how these effects might be mediated (Yen & these effects might be mediated (Yen & Syme, 1999). Durkheim in the 1890s Syme, 1999). Durkheim in the 1890s was among the first to posit that the was among the first to posit that the structure of society had a strong bearing structure of society had a strong bearing on psychological health (Simpson, on psychological health (Simpson, 1995). There has since been a strong 1995). There has since been a strong tradition of research and innovation in tradition of research and innovation in psychiatry concerning the effects of so-psychiatry concerning the effects of social context on health (Faris & Dunham, cial context on health and the conceptual development of ap-and the conceptual development of appropriate epidemiological approaches to propriate epidemiological approaches to its investigation (Susser & Susser, its investigation (Susser & Susser, 1996). More recently, 'social capital' 1996). More recently, 'social capital' has been embraced as a possible expla-has been embraced as a possible explanation for differences in health that are nation for differences in health that are found between places or between groups found between places or between groups of people (Amick of people (Amick et al Social capital may play a role in the incidence and preva-play a role in the incidence and prevalence of mental illness. lence of mental illness. Social capital has been vaunted as the Social capital has been vaunted as the next big idea in social policy and health next big idea in social policy and health since its recent incorporation into public since its recent incorporation into public health discourse. There have been a number health discourse. There have been a number of methodological advances …