Social Capital is Positively Associated with Self-rated Health Among Chinese Adolescents

Abstract Background This study examines the relationship between self-rated health and social capital among Chinese adolescents and aims to understand the influence of family, neighborhood, and school connections on adolescents' perceived health. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 501 secondary school students (217 males, 284 females, 15–19 years old). Self-perceived health was rated on a five-point scale divided into 'good health' and 'bad health'. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the association between good self-rated health and social capital in family, neighborhood and school. Gender, self-perceived socioeconomic status, psychological distress and body mass index were considered in the analysis using multivariate logistic regression. Results The results indicate a robust correlation between good self-rated health and increased family social capital (OR 2.99; 95% CI: 1.78 to 5.00), increased neighborhood trust (OR 2.42; 95% CI: 1.56 to 3.76), and increased informal social control (OR 1.74; 95% CI: 1.07 to 2.83). Conversely, no statistically significant correlation was found between good self-rated health and school social capital. Conclusions These findings underscore the central role of family and neighborhood social capital in shaping the self-rated health of Chinese adolescents. The study highlights the need for a more comprehensive understanding of the specific influences of family and community connections on adolescents' well-being and thus contributes to the broader discourse on adolescent health in Chinese culture.