Abstract
The purpose of this study is to examine the association between social capital and subjective well-being (life satisfaction)
by using multilevel analysis considering both individual and area-level social capital while adjusting for various control
variables at multiple-levels in Seoul, South Korea. The data was from the 2010 (Wave 2) Seoul Welfare Panel Study, conducted
by Seoul Welfare Foundation. The final sample for this study consisted of 5,934 individuals aged 18 years or older in 2,847
households within 25 administrative areas. Three-level multilevel linear regression analyses, with random intercept models,
were applied. Our results provide evidence that various dimensions of social capital both at the individual and area-level
are positively associated with subjective life satisfaction, even after controlling for various factors at the individual,
household, and area-levels. All of individual-level social capital variables including organizational participation, perceived
helpfulness, trust in authorities were positively associated with subjective life satisfaction. Except for trust in authority,
area-level organizational participation and perceived helpfulness were positively associated with subjective life satisfaction.
These results suggest that decision makers should consider both individual and area-level social capital targeting to enhance
one’s well-being.
by using multilevel analysis considering both individual and area-level social capital while adjusting for various control
variables at multiple-levels in Seoul, South Korea. The data was from the 2010 (Wave 2) Seoul Welfare Panel Study, conducted
by Seoul Welfare Foundation. The final sample for this study consisted of 5,934 individuals aged 18 years or older in 2,847
households within 25 administrative areas. Three-level multilevel linear regression analyses, with random intercept models,
were applied. Our results provide evidence that various dimensions of social capital both at the individual and area-level
are positively associated with subjective life satisfaction, even after controlling for various factors at the individual,
household, and area-levels. All of individual-level social capital variables including organizational participation, perceived
helpfulness, trust in authorities were positively associated with subjective life satisfaction. Except for trust in authority,
area-level organizational participation and perceived helpfulness were positively associated with subjective life satisfaction.
These results suggest that decision makers should consider both individual and area-level social capital targeting to enhance
one’s well-being.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-18
- DOI 10.1007/s11205-011-9990-7
- Authors
- Sehee Han, Department of Public Administration, Hanyang University, 17 Haengdang-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 133-791 South Korea
- Heaseung Kim, Graduate School of Public Policy, Hanyang University, 17 Haengdang-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 133-791 South Korea
- Hee-Sun Lee, Department of Public Administration, Hanyang University, 17 Haengdang-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 133-791 South Korea
- Journal Social Indicators Research
- Online ISSN 1573-0921
- Print ISSN 0303-8300