Methodological challenges in harmonisation of the variables used as indicators of social capital in epidemiological studies of ageing – results of the ATHLOS project

Bibliographic Data

ID11201310
AuthorsKatarzyna Zawisza (0000-0002-0934-7823, Jagiellonian University, corresponding author), Barbara Woźniak (0000-0001-5025-8972, Jagiellonian University), Beata Tobiasz-Adamczyk (0000-0001-6311-3983, Jagiellonian University), Aleksander Galas (0000-0002-9233-4301, Jagiellonian University), Iago Giné-Vázquez (0000-0002-6725-2638, Instituto de Salud Carlos III), Albert Sánchez-Niubò, Albert Sánchez‐Niubò (0000-0003-0309-181X, Instituto de Salud Carlos III), José Luis Ayuso-Mateos (0000-0002-7544-826X, Instituto de Salud Carlos III), Seppo Koskinen (0000-0003-1572-1735, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare), Matilde Leonardi (0000-0003-0552-8923, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta), Martin Bobak (0000-0002-2633-6851, University College London), Josep Maria Haro (0000-0002-3984-277X, Instituto de Salud Carlos III)
Year2023
Volume43
Issue10
Pages2307-2334
Publication date2023-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAgeing and Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0144-686X • E-ISSN: 1469-1779
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0144686x21001677
OpenAlexW4200071805
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited50

The present article aims to highlight methodological aspects related to understanding and conceptualising social capital for the purposes of population research as well as describing the key challenges in the harmonisation process of indicators of social capital. The study was conducted in the frame of the Ageing Trajectories of Health: Longitudinal Opportunities and Synergies (ATHLOS) project. After a review of social capital theories developed in social science and a subsequent review of the documentation of 18 international cohorts, decision trees of the harmonisation of social variables were developed. The known-group validity was verified. The results focused on generalised trust, civic engagement and social participation are presented. The summary of the availability of any indicators of these concepts is classified in seven domains (generalised trust, political participation, religious participation, senior-specific participation, participation in sport groups, participation in volunteer/charity group activities, any participation) across surveys. The results of the analysis for known-group validity support the construct validity of the harmonised variables

Construct (python library) · Construct validity · Developmental psychology · External validity · Political science · Psychometrics · Public relations · Social capital · Social engagement · Social science · Sociology · Chronic Disease Management Strategies · Health disparities and outcomes · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction · Psychology · Social Psychology

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