Changes in Social Capital during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Empirical Evidence from Singapore and Switzerland

Abstract

Social capital (SC) is a key factor of social resilience and is crucial for effective crisis response and recovery. The unprecedented levels of social distancing measures during the global Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic limited social interactions and restricted traditional support channels. This has raised the question of whether such measures may have negatively impacted SC. However, few studies have analyzed SC changes over time, in representative samples and during pandemic contexts. This study assessed SC changes during the COVID-19 pandemic among representative groups of adults living in Singapore (total n=3,774) and Switzerland (total n=4,115), respectively. We assessed changes in SC, specifically in horizontal SC (i.e., ties between individuals) and vertical SC (i.e., ties between individuals and decision makers), between June 2020 and July 2021. Respondents were recruited from Qualtrics’ panels by employing quota sampling according to Singapore’s and Switzerland’s population censuses. Key results show that the overall horizontal SC increased significantly (although modestly) in both countries. Overall vertical SC increased significantly (also modestly) in Singapore and had no significant change in Switzerland. All analyses were performed in R software (version 4.2.2). Thus, despite social distancing measures, horizontal SC and vertical SC indicators remained stable in both countries. Further studies may be warranted to determine the causal pathways involved in retaining SC in pandemic settings. During the COVID-19 pandemic with social distancing measures, horizontal and vertical social capital remained stable, with no losses, in both Singapore and Switzerland. This may potentially indicate sustained social resilience. Evidence-based measures tailored to the value system of a country and the innovative, adaptive capacities of residents may have partly contributed toward the stability of social capital. Policymakers and relevant agencies working in social resilience could potentially benefit from increasing tailored communication and messaging efforts to maintain social capital, which may serve as important insurance in case of future pandemics.