The Effect of Social Capital on Health-related Quality of Life of Residents in Integrated Changwon City: Using the Data of the 2013 Community Health Survey

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine social capital and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of residents who were living in the three regions(Masan, Jinhae, and Changwon) of integrated Changwon and to analyze the effect of social capital on HRQoL. METHODS: This study used the Masan, Jinhae and Changwon data of the 2013 Community Health Survey. The social capital questionnaire consisted of three subdomains (trust, participation, and network). HRQoL was measured with the Korean-version EQ-5D. The effect of social capital on HRQoL was analyzed using multiple regression with controlling for general characteristics and health behavior. RESULTS: The trust level of Masan citizen was highest among the three regions. Jinhae citizen showed the highest level of participation and network out of the three regions. Trust was not a significant influencing factor in any of the three models. Participation was a significant influencing factor in all of the three models. Network was a significant influencing factor only in the Masan model. CONCLUSION: Participation was the most important factor for health among the three social capital subdomains. Strategies for encouraging social participation are needed for health promotion for the residents of integrated Changwon.