The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #74592

Jennifer M Polello, MHPA, CHES, Health Promotion, Spokane Regional Health District, 1101 W. College Ave #401, Spokane, WA 99205, 509-324-1452, jmpolello@spokanecounty.org

This study examines the relationship between smoking and three dimensions of personal social capital: people’s level of social support, their sense of community, and their participation in civic activities, such as voting and volunteering. These dimensions represent personal social capital, personal perceptions of community, and personal actions representing participation in civic activities. While social capital is usually measured in aggregate variables, this study looks at personal dimensions of social capital. The primary hypothesis for this study is that smokers have lower social capital than non-smokers. Conceptually, this hypothesis is driven by the assumption that smokers may be smoking because of stress related to lack of social support; or that they may be smoking because they don’t care about the ramifications of smoking on their family and community; and that they may, as a result, be less involved in community activities. Results of his study showed an association between smoking and two dimensions of personal social capital: marital status and civic participation. Marital status has been shown across a variety of studies to be associated with better individual health status. This study shows that marital status is also associated with better healthy behaviors, specifically that of not smoking. This study also found that individuals who were more engaged in civic duty and community participation were less likely to smoke. Results of the study regarding social support and sense of community show no significant correlation between this variable and smoking. One challenge in examining smoking and personal social capital is that smokers often perceive smoking as a social activity that enables and increases social bonding.

Learning Objectives:

• To understand and define the relationship between smoking and personal social capital.
• To provide a greater understanding of personal social capital and how to implement programs and policies that provide positive social capital to the individual and the community.
• Discuss how social capital contributes to public health programs and services.
• Create and implement social capital strategies into prevention programs

Keywords: Tobacco Control, Smoking

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.