Harmony Services
Participation in Community, Social and Civic Activities
Numerous official and informal activities fall under the category of civic participation. 1 Voting, giving back to the community, taking part in group activities, and community gardening is some examples. Some of these are individual socially beneficial behaviours (like voting) or collectively beneficial behaviours (like recreational soccer teams) (e.g., volunteer organizations). 1 Participation in civic activities has obvious benefits for the community, but it also has indirect advantages for individuals’ health. 2, 3 The relationship between civic engagement, health, and well-being is the main topic of this summary.
Building social capital, which is defined as “properties of social organisation such as networks, norms, and social trust that promote coordination and cooperation for mutual benefit,” is one method of civic engagement that improves health. 4 For instance, a study revealed that participation in civic organisations increased the likelihood of physical activity. Civic involvement widened participants’ social networks, increasing their awareness of local alternatives for physical activity. 2 Taking part in worthwhile civic activities can also aid in the development of a sense of purpose in people, which may encourage sustained civic engagement. 5 The Social Cohesion overview goes into much greater detail about social capital.
