Bonds, bridges and links: Exploring the role of how a community centre can strengthen the social capital of Iraqi and British elders for improved health and psychosocial wellbeing
A Amlani, LSE Migration Studies Unit, 2010
This study compares the way in which social capital operated to enhance the health and wellbeing of Iraqi and British elders. Using thematic analyses of 12 semi-structured interviews and 4 focus group discussions, with a total sample of 28, it explored the impact that Castlehaven Community Centre had on British and Iraqi individuals aged between 65 and 85 in London. The findings suggest that different forms of social capital (bonding, bridging and linking) operate in different ways to enhance health and wellbeing. Moreover, social capital operated in different ways for the Iraqi and British elders even in the same community centre, re-iterating the need for policymakers to understand the cultural dimensions of social capital in its role as a tool for enhancing health.
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