Searching for Happiness: The Importance of Social Capital |
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Authors: | Ambrose Leung Cheryl Kier Tak Fung Linda Fung Robert Sproule |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Policy Studies, Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB, Canada;(2) Psychology Centre, Athabasca University, Athabasca, AB, Canada;(3) Information Technologies, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada;(4) Statcomp Consulting Services Ltd., Calgary, AB, Canada;(5) Department of Economics, Bishop’s University, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada |
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Abstract: | After four decades of research, scholars of happiness continue to debate its causes. While it is generally agreed that a combination
of internal and external factors play a role, predicting happiness well remains a challenge. Recent research has proposed
that social capital may be a vital factor that has been overlooked. This paper attempts to address that omission. According
to Coleman’s (1988) seminal work, three dimensions of social capital exist: (1) trust and obligations, (2) information channels, and (3) norms
and sanctions. Using bootstrap hierarchical regression on data from the Canadian General Social Survey of Social Engagement
Cycle 17 (2003), we identified blocks of social capital variables described by Coleman, as well as an additional factor of
belongingness. Even after controlling for major demographic and individual characteristics, the majority of these blocks show
significant relationships with happiness. Our findings support social capital as an important piece in predicting happiness. |
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