The association between social capital and diabetes control: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Diabetes is one of the fastest-growing global health challenges of the 21st century, with estimates suggesting 589 million adults aged 20-79 were living with diabetes in 2024. Although social capital has been shown to be associated with diabetes control, attempts to consolidate the evidence in the form of a systematic review have been limited. This comprehensive systematic review identified and synthesised international research findings of association between social capital and diabetes control to provide a consolidated evidence base to inform future research and policy development.

All empirical quantitative and mixed methods studies investigating the association between social capital and DM were screened and included from the databases of ELSEVIER ScienceDirect, PubMed and Scopus. Identified literature was screened using review-specific inclusion criteria, the data were extracted from the included studies. The mixed effect sizes were calculated using a random-effects model, then subgroup analyses were conducted to investigate potential sources of heterogeneity.

After screening, 14 studies were enrolled. The findings demonstrated that social capital exerted a statistically significant, albeit small, effect on diabetes control. Social capital exhibited a more robust effect on diabetes control when the effect size was measured using SMD, self-control was measured as a discrete variable and from a behavioral perspective.

To date, this is the most comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis to focus on the association between social capital and diabetes control. It suggests a positive association between social capital and DM control despite various measurements. In addition, it highlights key gaps in knowledge where future research could further illuminate the mechanisms through which social capital works to effect diabetes control and thus inform policy development.

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42023461071, identifier PROSPERO (CRD42023461071).