Research Article
Workplace Social Capital and Health-Related Quality of Life: A Cross-Sectional Study among Schoolteachers Working at Junior Highs
2019 Volume 8 Issue 1 Pages 52-61
Details
2019 Volume 8 Issue 1 Pages 52-61
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association between three types of workplace social capital (SC)—bonding SC (among coworkers), bridging SC (between supervisor and staff worker), and linking SC (beyond the workplace section, department, or the whole office), and health-related quality of life among junior high schoolteachers in A Prefecture, Japan.
Methods: We distributed questionnaires covering SC measurement, the SF-36v2 health survey, and demographic information to schoolteachers in A Prefecture, which were returned via mail individually. Using a multiple regression model, we assessed the relationships between bonding SC, bridging SC, and linking SC and health-related quality of life measured by SF-36v2.
Results: Overall, 339 participants completed the questionnaire. Bonding SC, bridging SC, and linking SC associated with mental health component [β=4.331, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.352–6.310; β=2.607, 95%CI: 0.921–4.293; β=3.566, 95%CI: 1.797–5.336, respectively]. Furthermore, these factors associated with role-social component [β=3.882, 95%CI: 1.336–6.428; β=2.446, 95%CI: 0.296–4.596; β=2.668, 95%CI: 0.387–4.948, respectively]. However, no relationship was observed between any SC and physical functioning.
Conclusions: Fostering three types of SC in the workplace may increase health-related quality of life among schoolteachers at junior high schools.
