Social capital, deprivation and self-rated health: Does reporting heterogeneity play a role? Results from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. (April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: O'Doherty, M.G.; French, D.; Steptoe, A.; Kee, F.
• Is Part Of: Social science & medicine. Volume 179(2017)
• Page Start: 191
• Page End: 200
• Publication Date: 2017-04
• Subjects: Social capital -- Self-rated health -- Ageing -- Vignettes -- Health disparities -- Deprivation; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Medical anthropology -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine sociale -- Périodiques; Anthropologie médicale -- Périodiques; Santé publique -- Périodiques; Psychologie -- Périodiques; Médecine -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 362.105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.03.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0277-9536

Abstract

Abstract: Self-rated health (SRH) is commonly assessed in large surveys, though responses can be influenced by different individuals' perceptions of and beliefs about health. Therefore, instead of providing evidence of 'true' health disparities across groups, findings may actually reflect reporting heterogeneity. Using data from participants aged 50 years and older from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) Wave 3 (2006/07; participation rate = 73%), associations between three dimensions of social capital (local area & trust, social support and social networks), deprivation and SRH were examined using the vignette methodology in 2341 individuals who completed both the self-report and at least one of the 18 vignettes. Analysis employed a hierarchical probit model (HOPIT). Individuals expressing low local area & trust social capital (beta = −0.276, p < 0.001) and those with poor social networks (beta = −0.280, p < 0.001) were more likely to report poor SRH in HOPIT models accounting for reporting heterogeneity, but unadjusted ordered probit analyses still correctly show a negative relationship between low local area & trust social capital (beta = −0.243, p < 0.001) and those with poor social networks (beta = −0.210, p < 0.01), though they somewhat tend to underestimate its strength. Neither social support nor deprivation appeared to have any effect on SRH regardless of reporting heterogeneity. Anchoring vignettes offer a relatively uncomplicated and cost-effective way of identifying and correcting for reporting heterogeneity to improve comparative validity of self-report measures of health. This analysis underlines the need for caution when using unadjusted self-reported measures to study the effects of social capital on health. Highlights: Individuals with low local area & trust more likely to report poor health. Individuals with poor social networks more likely to report poor health. Accounting for reporting heterogeneity moderately strengthened associations. Simulations show scale of reporting heterogeneity in the distribution of health. Caution needs exercised when using unadjusted self-reported measures.