Social Capital and Mental Wellbeing in a Sustainable World

Social capital represents a critical element within the social foundation of the Doughnut Economics framework that plays a vital role in shaping mental health outcomes. Networks, relationships, trust, and social cohesion that exist within communities have emerged as significant determinants of mental health across various populations and contexts12. The concept encompasses both cognitive elements (perceptions of trust and reciprocity) and structural components (social participation and networks), with each contributing uniquely to mental wellbeing34.

The Doughnut Economics perspective conceptualizes a “safe and just space” for humanity between social foundations and ecological ceilings, where mental health represents a key component of this social foundation, essential for individual wellbeing and societal functioning56. Investigation of the relationship between social capital and mental health provides understanding of how strengthening social connections might address mental health challenges within sustainable development frameworks, particularly in relation to UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being)57.

Current evidence explores historical context, present conditions, future trends, challenges, and opportunities related to social capital and mental health. These insights inform policies and interventions that enhance social capital to support mental health while respecting ecological boundaries.

The Evolution of Social Capital as a Public Health Construct

The concept of social capital has evolved significantly over recent decades, transitioning from primarily economic applications to becoming recognized as a key social determinant of health. Pierre Bourdieu, James Coleman, and Robert Putnam established foundational understandings of social capital, while its specific connection to mental health gained prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s28.

Initial research exploring these connections often lacked methodological consistency, with varying definitions and measurements of social capital complicating cross-study comparisons19. Early studies predominantly examined associations rather than causal mechanisms, frequently finding correlations between stronger social connections and better mental health outcomes, though effect sizes were modest110.

The World Health Organization gradually incorporated social determinants, including aspects of social capital, into its mental health frameworks during this period. Recognition grew that mental health extends beyond individual psychology to encompass social, economic, and environmental factors57. By the early 2010s, social capital had become established in public health literature as a multidimensional construct with potential implications for mental health interventions28.

Historical development paralleled increasing global awareness of mental health as a critical public health concern. Evolution of this research field has contributed to contemporary understanding that social connections and community cohesion are not merely beneficial but potentially necessary components of mental health promotion strategies56. This historical trajectory has positioned social capital as an important consideration within broader sustainable development approaches, including the Doughnut Economics framework’s emphasis on social foundations.

The Contemporary Evidence Base: Mechanisms, Disparities, and Resilience

Research consistently demonstrates that cognitive social capital (trust, shared values, reciprocity) and structural social capital (social participation, networks) influence mental health through distinct but complementary pathways311. Meta-analyses reveal both forms significantly relate to positive mental health outcomes, though cognitive dimensions typically demonstrate stronger associations18. A systematic review of depression research found that multiple studies reported an inverse association between cognitive social capital and depressive symptoms, suggesting that perceptions of trust and reciprocity provide particular protection against mood disorders211.

Evidence from cross-sectional studies indicates that individuals reporting higher levels of interpersonal trust, social participation, and social support experience lower rates of anxiety, with medium levels of interpersonal trust associated with 33.2% lower anxiety risk in older adults34. The relationship appears robust across diverse cultural contexts, though the strength of associations varies by specific mental health outcome and population characteristics311.

Social capital’s mental health benefits are distributed unevenly across demographic groups. Research highlights particular vulnerability among women, young people, individuals with low incomes, and those with poor self-perceived health, who experience heightened mental health challenges312. Social capital appears to offer a protective buffering effect for some vulnerable groups, however, as women would experience even more fear and stress compared to men were it not for their typically higher levels of social capital123.

Older adults with high social capital demonstrate mental health odds 5.73 times higher than those with low social capital, indicating particularly strong effects in aging populations313. The relationship remains significant even after controlling for various demographic and health variables, suggesting social capital represents an independent protective factor for mental wellbeing in later life311.

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided a natural experiment for examining social capital’s protective effects during societal crises. Longitudinal studies reveal that pre-pandemic social capital, particularly social cohesion and reciprocity at both individual and community levels, significantly reduced the odds of developing depressive symptoms during the pandemic1312. Among Japanese older adults, those with higher pre-pandemic individual-level social cohesion demonstrated 21% lower odds of depression during the pandemic, while community-level reciprocity was associated with 7% reduced risk134.

The protective effect persisted even when social capital declined during pandemic restrictions, suggesting that pre-established social resources provide ongoing mental health benefits during disruptions to normal social functioning1312. These findings highlight social capital’s potential role in building mental health resilience for future societal challenges, including climate-related events and other public health emergencies136.

Current data indicates a significant mental health crisis, particularly in developed nations. In the United States, one in five adults reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression in 2023, with young people disproportionately affected—two in five high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness56. The situation represents a continuation of concerning trends observed before the COVID-19 pandemic, with deaths from drugs, alcohol, and suicide more than doubling between 2000 and 201757.

The crisis occurs amid growing recognition that social determinants, including social capital, play crucial roles in mental health outcomes. The challenge is particularly acute given evidence that both social capital and mental health are unequally distributed across populations, with consequent implications for health equity and sustainable development56. These patterns underscore the urgency of developing and implementing interventions that leverage social capital to address mental health challenges within a comprehensive public health approach.

Prospective Developments in Policy, Technology, and Resilience

Future mental health approaches increasingly recognize social capital as a critical component of effective policy frameworks. The World Bank’s flagship report, The Changing Wealth of Nations, for the first time emphasizes social capital’s importance to sustainability, representing a major advance in international efforts to measure progress beyond GDP146. The trend signals growing awareness that trust, social norms, and community cohesiveness are essential assets with capacity to improve both economic performance and wellbeing outcomes147.

The OECD has identified “win-win” policies that simultaneously target mental health and broader economic, social, and environmental objectives614. These integrated approaches recognize that mental health policies extend beyond healthcare systems to encompass social capital development through community building, social inclusion, and trust enhancement65. Policy innovation is likely to continue focusing on upstream social determinants rather than exclusively addressing symptoms through traditional clinical interventions67.

Advancing technologies present both opportunities and challenges for social capital and related mental health outcomes. Digital platforms can expand access to social networks and support communities, potentially benefiting individuals with limited mobility or geographic isolation512. Research indicates mixed effects, however, with some studies suggesting online connections may not provide the same quality of social capital or mental health benefits as in-person relationships123.

Future technological developments may offer innovative ways to measure and enhance social capital, such as using digital footprints to assess social network characteristics or delivering community-building interventions through mobile applications56. The challenge remains balancing technological advancement with preservation of meaningful personal connections that contribute to mental wellbeing612.

Emerging research increasingly focuses on how social capital contributes to mental health resilience rather than merely preventing disorders. Studies during the COVID-19 pandemic found that pre-existing social capital provided significant protection against negative mental health impacts, suggesting social resources build capacity to withstand stressors1312. The emphasis on resilience aligns with Doughnut Economics’ conception of creating systems that can adapt and thrive within safe operating spaces146.

Future trends point toward interventions that proactively develop social capital across communities before crises occur, recognizing that social resources established during stable periods provide critical psychological buffers during disruptions137. The preventive approach supports long-term sustainability of mental health systems by reducing crisis-driven demand for acute services65.

Critical Challenges: Measurement, Intervention, and Systemic Barriers

Despite extensive research, significant challenges persist in establishing standardized definitions and measurements of social capital in mental health contexts19. Studies employ various conceptualizations—from individual trust assessments to community-level social participation metrics—making cross-study comparisons and meta-analyses difficult28. The inconsistency complicates efforts to determine which specific dimensions of social capital most strongly influence different mental health outcomes19.

Methodological limitations further constrain understanding, with many studies relying on cross-sectional designs that cannot establish causality215. The potential bidirectional relationship between social capital and mental health presents particular challenges; poor mental health may reduce capacity to build and maintain social connections, creating feedback loops that are difficult to disentangle in research311.

Evidence for the effectiveness of social capital interventions specifically targeting mental health outcomes remains limited and inconclusive1516. A systematic review of social capital-based interventions found that while both social capital scores and mental health outcomes typically improved over time, there was little evidence of benefit compared to control groups in the long term1516. Current intervention approaches may be insufficiently powerful or measurement tools may fail to capture meaningful changes154.

Sustainability of effects represents another significant challenge. Many interventions demonstrate initial positive impacts that diminish over time, indicating difficulties in maintaining social capital improvements and their mental health benefits1516. The limited number of high-quality experimental studies further constrains evidence-based recommendations for effective intervention designs154.

Social capital is unequally distributed across populations, with significant implications for mental health equity312. Marginalized groups often have reduced access to social capital resources due to systemic barriers including discrimination, segregation, and economic constraints35. The disparity compounds existing mental health disparities, as those with greatest need for protective social connections may have least access to them512.

The relationship between social capital and mental health occurs within broader sociopolitical contexts that shape resource distribution and access to supportive environments76. Addressing these structural determinants requires comprehensive approaches beyond individual-level interventions, yet such systemic changes face significant political and economic obstacles57. A fundamental challenge exists in achieving equitable mental health outcomes through social capital enhancement alone56.

Strategic Pathways for Intervention and Enhancement

Significant opportunities exist for leveraging community-based approaches that simultaneously build social capital and promote mental wellbeing76. Community-level interventions that foster trust, reciprocity, and social participation can create sustainable improvements in social environments that support mental health47. These approaches align with Doughnut Economics by strengthening social foundations while typically requiring fewer resource-intensive clinical interventions146.

Promising examples include neighborhood projects that create shared spaces for social interaction, community education programs that build collective knowledge about mental health, and participatory decision-making processes that enhance sense of community ownership156. Such initiatives can be particularly valuable in resource-limited settings where specialized mental health services are scarce, offering cost-effective alternatives that build on existing community strengths74.

Healthcare systems increasingly recognize opportunities to integrate social capital considerations into mental health services56. Integration includes developing “social prescribing” initiatives that connect patients to community resources and activities, implementing group-based therapeutic approaches that build peer support networks, and training healthcare providers to assess and address social isolation54.

The OECD has identified specific “win-win” policies that bridge mental health services with social capital development, including increased access to social assistance programs and integration of mental health support into unemployment services614. Such approaches recognize that effective mental healthcare extends beyond traditional clinical boundaries to encompass social determinants65. Implementing these integrated models offers potential for more holistic, effective mental health promotion within existing healthcare structures64.

Research identifies particular opportunities for social capital interventions among vulnerable populations who may experience both higher mental health risks and lower access to protective social resources34. Studies suggest that preventive interventions aiming to enhance refugees’ mental health may be more effective when targeting both social capital and sense of coherence from an early stage after arrival in host countries47.

Social capital interventions show promise for addressing social isolation and mental health challenges among older adults313. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Japanese research found that fostering social cohesion and reciprocity significantly reduced depression risk in aging populations, suggesting targeted approaches for this demographic group133.

These targeted opportunities allow for efficient resource allocation by focusing on populations most likely to benefit from social capital enhancement, while addressing existing inequities in mental health outcomes412. By considering specific population needs and contexts, interventions can be tailored for maximum effectiveness within broader mental health promotion strategies47.

Synthesis with Doughnut Economics: Social Capital as a Foundational Prerequisite for a Just and Safe Space

Social capital constitutes a fundamental element of the social foundation within the Doughnut Economics framework, providing the relational infrastructure that supports mental wellbeing146. Trust, social cohesion, and community connections create environments where individuals can meet psychological needs while contributing to collective resilience147. These social resources enable communities to address mental health challenges without necessarily requiring intensive resource consumption, aligning with the model’s emphasis on meeting human needs efficiently146.

Research demonstrates how social capital contributes to multiple aspects of the social foundation simultaneously—not only improving mental health but also enhancing other dimensions including education, political voice, and social equity147. Communities with higher levels of trust and reciprocity demonstrate greater capacity for collective action to address shared challenges, including mental health stigma and service access47. The multidimensional impact exemplifies how strengthening one aspect of the social foundation can create positive spillover effects across other dimensions146.

The Doughnut Economics concept of a “safe and just space” for humanity provides a valuable framework for understanding how social capital contributes to sustainable mental health outcomes146. Social capital helps define the lower boundary of this safe space by establishing the minimum social connections necessary for psychological wellbeing, while recognizing upper boundaries of resource utilization for mental health interventions147. The balanced approach seeks mental health solutions that are both socially sufficient and ecologically sustainable146.

Evidence suggests that social capital interventions can create more equitable access to mental health resources, addressing the “just” component of this framework47. By building community capacity and fostering social connections across demographic groups, such approaches may help reduce mental health disparities while enhancing overall population wellbeing412. Social capital contributes to creating mental health systems that function within planetary boundaries while ensuring no one falls below threshold levels of social support necessary for psychological health146.

Social capital’s contribution to mental health directly supports several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)57. By fostering social connections that protect against mental disorders and promote positive psychological states, social capital enhancement contributes to target 3.4, which aims to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through mental health promotion56.

Social capital approaches to mental health advance SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by addressing disparities in access to protective social resources76. Community-based interventions that build trust and reciprocity across different population groups can help reduce the social gradient in mental health outcomes, contributing to more equitable societies74. These approaches support SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by creating inclusive, resilient social environments that promote wellbeing614.

Alignment with multiple SDGs demonstrates how social capital represents a leverage point for sustainable development, where targeted interventions can generate positive outcomes across various dimensions of human and planetary wellbeing76. From a Doughnut Economics perspective, these interconnections highlight how strengthening social foundations through enhanced social capital contributes to creating regenerative and distributive systems that support both human flourishing and ecological sustainability146.

Strengthening the Social Foundation for Mental Wellbeing

Examination of the relationship between social capital and mental health through the lens of Doughnut Economics reveals several key findings. Substantial evidence confirms that various dimensions of social capital—particularly cognitive elements like trust and structural components like social participation—significantly influence mental health outcomes across diverse populations. While effect sizes are consistently modest, the relationship appears robust across cultural contexts and demographic groups.

Social capital demonstrates particular importance during crisis periods, as evidenced by its protective effects against mental health deterioration during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pre-existing social cohesion and reciprocity at both individual and community levels significantly reduced depression risk, suggesting that social capital builds psychological resilience to external stressors.

Significant challenges remain in translating social capital research into effective mental health interventions. Conceptual inconsistencies, limited evidence for intervention effectiveness, and structural inequalities in social capital access all constrain progress. Despite these challenges, promising opportunities exist for community-based approaches, healthcare system integration, and targeted interventions for vulnerable populations.

Within the Doughnut Economics framework, social capital represents a critical component of the social foundation that supports mental wellbeing while respecting planetary boundaries. By fostering trust, reciprocity, and social participation, communities can create “safe and just spaces” where mental health needs are met sustainably. This approach aligns with multiple Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting social capital’s potential as a leverage point for integrated wellbeing outcomes.

Future directions should focus on developing standardized measures of social capital in mental health contexts, designing and evaluating interventions with attention to long-term sustainability, and addressing structural barriers to equitable social capital access. By strengthening the social foundations that support mental health, societies can work toward creating environments where all individuals have the opportunity to experience psychological wellbeing within ecological limits.

References

  1. Xue et al., 2020  ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Ehsan et al., 2021  ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Ahorsu et al., 2025  ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  4. Laban et al., 2022  ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  5. CDC, 2025  ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  6. OECD, 2023  ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  7. UNDP, 2022  ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  8. Ehsan & De Silva, 2015  ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  9. De Silva et al., 2005  ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  10. Xue et al., 2020  ↩︎

  11. Inoue et al., 2022  ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  12. Engbersen et al., 2022  ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  13. Haseda et al., 2022  ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  14. Bennett Institute, 2022  ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  15. Flores et al., 2017  ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  16. Ball et al., 2023  ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎