Συγγραφείς:  Efstratios Papanis, Konstantinos Rondos, Myrsini Roumeliotou & Sotirios Htouris, ΠανεπιστήμιοΑιγαίου

Περίληψη

The present study is part of a more extensive programme, which tries to measure social capital in Greece and correlate it with variables, such as gender, age, educational level, place of living, income, marital status etc. The dependent variable is the phenomenological aspect of social capital, which can be measured in terms of participation and social trust. The distinction followed by major researchers in the field between bonding and bridging social capital is made. Cognitive, affective and behavioral dimensions are measured both quantitatively using an adjusted version of the World Values Survey Questionnaire, and qualitatively with semi-structured interviews. The initial study has 1000 participants from all over Greece and the final sample will consist of 3000 Greek citizens. The experiment described in this study refers to the comparison of two homogeneous groups of adults (100 each) with the same social, financial and educational background. The only difference is the decision of the first group to attend a two-year programme in Second Chance Schools, an experimental European project based on innovative teaching methods and counseling. This programme emphasizes on co-operation and personal initiatives.  Measures of social capital of both groups were taken and compared in order to establish differences in participation and social trust levels. It was found that Second Chance School students outscored preliminary graduates in terms of social capital, but still levels of trust and happiness remained low when compared to general population.