Capital and Cohesion: A new perspective on the analysis of mortality differentials
Social characteristics related to mortality, such as hierarchy or family structure, are generally represented as a unidimensional scale. This is inconsistent with much of sociological theory, which represents hierarchy as a multidimensional, or partially ordered, scale. We utilize Bourdieu’s tripartite concept of Capital – Economic, Cultural and Social – to conceptualize social hierarchy and construct appropriate scales. We combine these with measures of Household Structure to investigate their relation to male and female aggregate mortality. Using data for Australian small statistical areas (SA2) from the census of 2011, we regressed male and female standardized mortality (SMR) on the scales for Capital and Household Structure, with controls for State/Territory, Remoteness, and Indigeneity of the SA2. We find that Economic and Cultural Capital significantly reduce mortality, while Social Capital has a smaller effect, significant only for males; Family Structure is at least as important as Capital in explaining levels of mortality; Geographic location, namely State/Territory and degree of Remoteness, are significant determinants of mortality risk and Indigenous areas are at a heavy disadvantage, even when we account for all other social and situational characteristics. We conclude that social space, as measured by scales of social hierarchy and family structure, is multidimensional. To understand fully why mortality is higher in some areas than in others, we need to bring together theory and data.
Population Review
Volume 63, Number 2, 2024
Type: Article, pp. 1-34
Capital and Cohesion: A new perspective on the analysis of mortality differentials
Authors: Jon Anson & Heather Booth
Authors affiliations: Jon Anson is affiliated with Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, Department of Social Work. Heather Booth is affiliated with Australia National University, College of Arts and Social Sciences.
Corresponding author/address: Yonathan Anson [email protected]
Abstract
Social characteristics related to mortality, such as hierarchy or family structure, are generally represented as a unidimensional scale. This is inconsistent with much of sociological theory, which represents hierarchy as a multidimensional, or partially ordered, scale. We utilize Bourdieu’s tripartite concept of Capital – Economic, Cultural and Social – to conceptualize social hierarchy and construct appropriate scales. We combine these with measures of Household Structure to investigate their relation to male and female aggregate mortality. Using data for Australian small statistical areas (SA2) from the census of 2011, we regressed male and female standardized mortality (SMR) on the scales for Capital and Household Structure, with controls for State/Territory, Remoteness, and Indigeneity of the SA2. We find that Economic and Cultural Capital significantly reduce mortality, while Social Capital has a smaller effect, significant only for males; Family Structure is at least as important as Capital in explaining levels of mortality; Geographic location, namely State/Territory and degree of Remoteness, are significant determinants of mortality risk and Indigenous areas are at a heavy disadvantage, even when we account for all other social and situational characteristics. We conclude that social space, as measured by scales of social hierarchy and family structure, is multidimensional. To understand fully why mortality is higher in some areas than in others, we need to bring together theory and data.
Keywords
Mortality; Bourdieu; Capital; Family Cohesion; Australia
© 2024 Sociological Demography Press
MLA
Anson, Jon and Heather Booth. “Capital and Cohesion: A new perspective on the analysis of mortality differentials.” Population Review, vol. 63 no. 2, 2024, p. 1-34. Project MUSE, https://dx.doi.org/10.1353/prv.2024.a934267.
APA
Anson, J., & Booth, H. (2024). Capital and Cohesion: A new perspective on the analysis of mortality differentials. Population Review 63(2), 1-34. https://dx.doi.org/10.1353/prv.2024.a934267.
Chicago
Anson, Jon, and Heather Booth. “Capital and Cohesion: A new perspective on the analysis of mortality differentials.” Population Review 63, no. 2 (2024): 1-34. https://dx.doi.org/10.1353/prv.2024.a934267.
Endnote
TY – JOUR
T1 – Capital and Cohesion: A new perspective on the analysis of mortality differentials
A1 – Anson, Jon
A1 – Booth, Heather
JF – Population Review
VL – 63
IS – 2
SP – 1
EP – 34
PY – 2024
PB – Sociological Demography Press
SN – 1549-0955
UR – https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/251/article/934267
N1 – Volume 63, Number 2, 2024
ER –
Always review your references for accuracy and make any necessary corrections before using. Pay special attention to personal names, capitalization, and dates. Consult your library for more information on citing sources.
