Does social capital predict happiness, health and life satisfaction in an urban Australian community?

Abstract

This paper investigates the extent to which social capital and participation in community activities predicts happiness, health and life satisfaction in Australia. Residents of a Gold Coast suburb completed a random door-to-door survey, with a 74% response rate (n=249). Ordinal regression analyses revealed that only two elements of social capital, Value of Life and Feelings of Trust and Safety, predicted happiness (b =.4, ,p=.00; b=.12 ,p=.00), life satisfaction (b =.46, p=.00; b=.09, p= 0.02) and health (b =.29, p=.00; b=.11, p=.00). In terms of community activities, not participating in social activities predicted both unhappiness (b =-.16, p=.05) and reduced life satisfaction (b=-.20, p= 0.01). Such findings suggest that how social capital is defined and measured is important, as only two of the seven elements predicted happiness, life satisfaction and health. The key implication is that implementing strategies, initiatives and urban designs that facilitate feelings of trust and safety may foster health, happiness and life satisfaction.