Urban and Regional Development Planning
Mahsa Ghane; Ali Asgar Abbasi Asfajir; Ali Rahmani Firuzjah
Abstract
Quality of life (QOL) is a fundamental concept in social sciences that focuses on both objective and subjective dimensions. The quality of relationships, community, and shared experiences greatly influences people's success, satisfaction, and overall well-being. In Kermanshah, Iran, city ...
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Quality of life (QOL) is a fundamental concept in social sciences that focuses on both objective and subjective dimensions. The quality of relationships, community, and shared experiences greatly influences people's success, satisfaction, and overall well-being. In Kermanshah, Iran, city crossings have caused physical changes and social resolutions. This research examines the relationship between social capital and QOL in Kermanshah. The study surveyed residents in regions 1, 2, and 4 using questionnaires distributed throughout these areas. Inferential analysis was conducted using SPSS software to measure the relationship between social capital variables (structural, normative, cognitive dimensions) and QOL (objective, subjective dimensions). All variables were significantly correlated within a 95% confidence interval (positive correlation), while primary variables showed insignificant correlation (GIVE A NUMBER INSTEAD OF SAYING AVERAGE LIKE CORRELATION OF 0.5?). AMOS software was used for structural equation modeling to explain the impact of independent variables on dependent variables and associated changes. Results indicate that cognitive social capital has the greatest contribution to changes in QOL.
Keywords: Cognitive Social Capital, Normative Social Capital, Objective Quality of Life, Structural Social Capital, Subjective Quality of Life.
Introduction
The evaluation of the quality of life (QOL) is typically conducted considering two aspects: a set of objective conditions, as well as mental well-being, which was often overlooked in the past. Social capital, through the establishment of a network of connections between individuals and society, provides a range of resources and capabilities that can enhance collective life. However, weaknesses and inadequacies in social capital, manifested as poor quality of collective relations, have hindered the development of necessary platforms in certain areas. This issue has serious implications for the QOL in these areas.
The unique communication situation in Kermanshah has impacted social relations due to interventions and changes in the city's urban area. In addition to physical alterations, transit axes in the old part of the city have disrupted the continuous texture of the old neighborhood, thereby reducing the QOL. Population density has also increased due to migration and birth, leading to disintegration in the urban area and marginal villages, resulting in spatial and cultural changes. Demographic imbalance, lack of physical cohesion, unemployment, poverty, addiction, severe shortages of municipal services, and inappropriate economic structures are evident in many neighborhoods across the city.
Inadequacies in the social, economic, and cultural aspects of Kermanshah have led to an unbalanced set of levels of QOL and forms of communication. The differences in QOL in urban areas in Kermanshah and the lack of comprehensive research in this area, especially with regards to the neglect of social capital as a social dimension related to the state of QOL, have driven us to investigate the concepts of social capital, including structural, cognitive, normative dimensions, and QOL, including objective and subjective dimensions in regions 1, 2, and 4 in the city of Kermanshah.
Literature Review
Social capital refers to the collection of both tangible and intangible resources that arise from enduring networks of institutionalized relationships, mutual recognition, and familiarity. These networks, formed on the basis of shared values and norms, foster social trust and constitute a form of property that members can use as capital.
The self-reinforcing nature of civil partnership norms, which are built on resources such as networks, norms, and trust, promotes cooperation, mutual trust, and social welfare in civil societies. Conversely, in non-civil societies lacking such resources, covenant-breaking, exploitation, mistrust, isolation, and stagnation are more prevalent. Accessing and utilizing hidden social resources within networks can lead to improved social, cultural, and economic circumstances, which ultimately impact both the objective and subjective aspects of QOL.
In essence, true QOL cannot exist independently of relations, relationships, and common social ties and interdependence. These factors provide personal and economic security through protection of citizenship, compliance with laws, and cooperation for the sake of common interests. Social capital provides material facilities that generally enhance the objective aspect of QOL by increasing possessions and resources. However, being part of social networks and experiencing their transformational effects can also improve the mental dimension of QOL. Therefore, it can be concluded that social capital can directly influence an individual's QOL through the resources obtained from effective and powerful social networks or indirectly through its transformation into other essential components of life.
Methodology
The research was conducted by administering questionnaires to citizens over the age of 15 in Kermanshah, utilizing a multi-stage cluster sampling method. The sample size of 384 people was estimated using Cochran's sampling formula for an unlimited population. To gather data, a researcher-designed questionnaire was employed during field investigations. The reliability of the measurement tool was determined utilizing Cronbach's alpha coefficient which yielded a value greater than 0.75 for both independent and dependent variables. Face content validity was utilized to assess the validity of the measurement tool. To examine the research hypotheses, Pearson's correlation coefficient test was run using SPSS software package, while AMOS was used to analyze factor loadings and establish causal relationships between independent and dependent variables, ultimately leading to the development of a model.
Results
In the inferential findings section, results from the Pearson correlation test revealed a positive and significant correlation between social capital and QOL, including their respective dimensions. Notably, social capital demonstrated a stronger relationship with the subjective dimension of QOL. Among the various dimensions of social capital, the cognitive dimension displayed the strongest association with QOL. Overall, the positive correlation observed between social capital and QOL suggests that an increase in social capital can potentially enhance the QOL for residents. Further examination controlling for the variables of education and residence demonstrated that they do not play a role in the relationship between social capital and QOL.
In the confirmatory factor analysis, the structural dimension of social capital had the most significant impact on defining the social capital variable, while the subjective dimension of QOL played the largest role in defining the QOL variable. All factors exhibited suitable factor loads, confirming their relationship with the current variable. The analysis of structural equations revealed that the dimensions of social capital have predictive power over QOL.
Networks that are formed around shared values and norms can bolster social trust and serve as valuable social capital. By having access to these social resources, individuals may experience improved social and economic circumstances, leading to greater satisfaction and overall well-being. A person's social position is intricately linked to their social capital; the more social capital they possess, the higher their position. Membership in networks allows for the distribution of resources, materials, and symbolic benefits, improving people's status. Improving the QOL depends on social relations and interdependence, distributive justice, citizenship protection, and human rights. Social capital leads to enhanced QOL, skills, success, freedom, basic capabilities, general satisfaction, and personal relationships. As a transformative characteristic, social capital can manifest itself in various forms and functions.
