O capital social entre adolescentes escolares de um município brasileiro

Abstract

The article aimed to verify the association of adolescent social capital with living conditions factors and participation in collective activities. In the cross-sectional study, a validated questionnaire (SCQ-AS) was used to measure the social capital of seventh grade students from public and private schools in a Brazilian city. The parents answered a questionnaire on living conditions and children’s participation in collective activities. After chi-square test, multiple logistic regression was performed with social capital’ domains, dependent variables and independent variables (p≤0.20). There was higher frequency of social cohesion at school in adolescents from private schools (OR=4.08, 95% CI 1.39-11.96) and who have a family income of 1 to 3 minimum wages, a larger network of friends among those with parents living together OR = 2.21, 95% CI 1.28 - 3.78) and higher school/neighborhood confidence in private school students (OR=2.71, 95% CI 1.16 - 6.32). There was no association with neighborhood social cohesion. Studying in private school and having a family income of 1 to 3 minimum wages can boost social cohesion in school, as well as practice sports. Parents living together can favor larger network of friends.