A concept analysis of social capital within a health context

PURPOSE.   This paper aims to clarify the concept of social capital within a health context using Rodgers's (2000 ) Evolutionary Method .
SOURCE.   Published literature .
CONCLUSIONS.   The analysis demonstrates that social capital is the intangible assets, including trust, networks, and social norms of reciprocity, possessed by a society within a specific culture. When a unit (individual or a family) increases its sense of community or quality of community participation, this could increase its social capital. The result of this analysis provides a guide for further conceptual and empirical research and clinical practice .