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ABSTRACT
Objective: This study examined the association between social capital and smoking.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from December 2010 to April 2011 in Seoul, South Korea. In total, 4,734 respondents within 25 administrative-areas were analyzed. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was used.
Results: Various dimensions of social capital at the individual level were positively or negatively associated with smoking at the individual level. Network resource was positively associated with smoking (OR = 1.17; 95% CI = 1.03, 1.33). Organizational participation was negatively associated with smoking (OR = 0.81; 95% CI = 0.67, 0.98). Trust was negatively associated with smoking (OR = 0.91; 95% CI = 0.88, 0.94). However, none of the area-level social capital variables were associated with smoking.
Conclusions: Findings indicate that social capital has not only a bright side but a dark side as well. The present study provides evidence that the higher levels of social capital are not always good for individuals’ health behavior.
Ethical approval
All procedures followed internationally accepted ethical standards and were approved by the university institutional review board.