Five Dimensions of Social Capital Theory as they Pertain to Youth Studies

Abstract

Social capital theory has developed over the past two decades and has become increasingly popular among youth studies scholars, as well as among policy and program researchers. Despite its wide usage, the theory's utility is limited and largely unknown because researchers typically only test one of the theory's core dimensions: whether social capital influences youths’ well-being. This paper examines the five main dimensions of social capital theory that have been discussed in a fragmented manner throughout the youth studies literature in an attempt to aid researchers in their conceptualization and operationalization of social capital and their testing of theory.

Acknowledgments

Parts of this research were supported by a Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada Fellowship.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Cherylynn Bassani

Cherylynn Bassani is a Post Doctoral Fellow in the Centre for Community Child Health Research at the University of British Columbia