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International Journal of Mental Health Systems
Published in: International Journal of Mental Health Systems 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research

Neighborhood social capital and infant physical abuse: a population-based study in Japan

Authors: Takeo Fujiwara, Yui Yamaoka, Ichiro Kawachi

Published in: International Journal of Mental Health Systems | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Purpose

We sought to investigate the relationship between neighborhood social capital and infant physical abuse using a population-based sample of women with 4-month-old infants in Japan.

Methods

A questionnaire was administered to women who participated in a 4-month health checkup program (n = 1277; valid response rate, 80 %). We inquired about their perceptions of the level of trust in their neighborhood (an indicator of “social capital”) as well as the availability of support from their personal social networks. Infant physical abuse during the past month was assessed by self-reports of spanking, shaking or smothering.

Results

The prevalence of infant physical abuse at 4 months of age was 9.0 % (95 % confidence interval [CI], 7.6–10.7 %). Women living in trusting neighborhoods were less likely to report infant physical abuse compared to those living in areas with low neighborhood trust (odds ratio [OR] 0.25, 95 % CI 0.06–0.97). In addition, women with supportive social networks were less likely to report infant physical abuse (OR 0.59, 95 % CI 0.36–0.99).

Conclusions

In addition to one’s personal social network, social trust in the neighborhood was independently associated with lowered risk of infant physical abuse. To prevent infant abuse, interventions should consider strengthening community social bonds in addition to strengthening the social network of isolated mothers.
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Metadata
Title
Neighborhood social capital and infant physical abuse: a population-based study in Japan
Authors
Takeo Fujiwara
Yui Yamaoka
Ichiro Kawachi
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
International Journal of Mental Health Systems / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1752-4458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-016-0047-9

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