Investigating the relationship between place, social networks, and social capital for emerging adults: Study design and methods

Background Place effects have long been understood to influence health and wellbeing outcomes. As such, place-based interventions are an increasingly accepted mainstay in public health, with a particular focus on disadvantaged communities. Health and wellbeing outcomes in these communities are influenced by access to interpersonal and organisational supports, among other ecological influences. This is particularly the case for emerging adults, who may have less ability to move between spaces to seek supports. In this paper we present the research design and methods of a study that aims to explore the relationship between community, social networks, and social capital, for emerging adults (aged 18–25) living in two Australian communities. Methods The study takes a mixed-methods approach combining a novel use of ego social network analysis with interpretative phenomenological analysis, compared across areas of contrasting geographic location and socioeconomic status. Discussion Prevention efforts which focus on place to improve health first need to examine the role of place in the lives of populations. Exploring the ways in which emerging adults interact with, and experience, their communities and support resources may shed light on structural and systemic issues which have long existed, but which have been recently highlighted on a global scale. Further, it may provide context for the way emerging adults seek health and other supports from local services, larger organisations, or other avenues.