Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Noropsikiyatri Arsivi, cilt.47, sa.3, ss.252-259, 2010 (SCI-Expanded)
Social capital is an economic and sociological concept that is defined as the bulk of relations inside and between social networks, functioning as a mean of economic production. During the last decade, the concept is recognized and used as a measure and policy tool effecting economic development and growth by international organizations, primarily the World Bank and World Health Organization. At the same time, research focusing on effects of globalization over education, physical and mental health has frequently utilized social capital as a method of quantification of sociological phenomena. On the other hand, the recent global increase in the pace of urbanization, especially in developing countries, has been shown to influence the mental health in urban populations. Moreover, rapid urbanization has been proposed to play role in aetiology of psychotic disorders. We think that rapid urbanization may influence mental health through social capital and related concepts, particularly; 'trust and reciprocity'. To this end, we first focus on definition of social capital and its types, and how it is measured. We offer experimental game theory methods as a tool of assessing trust and reciprocity as primal components and determinants of admittance to social capital on the individual level in psychiatry. We then look on the possible neuroanatomical evidence relating psychiatric disorders and social capital through trust and reciprocity. Finally, we talk about methods of utilizing social capital as a concept and research tool in psychiatry, in the light of recent studies. We conclude with a brief discussion of research prospects relating to social capital in the psychiatry field. © Archives of Neuropsychiatry, published by Galenos Publishing.