Social dimensions of resilience and climate change: a rapid review of theoretical approaches

Abstract

The social dimensions of resilience and their relationship with social capital have received little attention in climate change research. This article aims to provide an understanding of the structural, cognitive, and human rights-based interconnection of social capital and the social dimension of resilience. This article provides a rapid review of published studies on the social dimensions of resilience in the context of climate change. The search yielded 26 articles, 18 of which were related to the social dimension of resilience and were selected for review. Based on the findings, I elaborate on social capital, social-psychological, and right-based approaches to theorize social capital. The findings indicate a link between social capital and the social dimensions of resilience. The structural foundation for social capital is provided by the interconnection of bonding, bridging, and linking. The social psychological approach is linked to cognitive social capital that contributes to collective psycho-social resilience. The human rightsbased approach educates about the social dimension of resilience through the lens of equity and power. To survive and thrive in environmental threats, communal solidarity requires the social interconnectedness formed by all three forms of social capital integrating social system, social values, reciprocal engagement, and inclusive social actions. This article provides theoretical knowledge about three dimensions of social capital, elaborating on the interconnections and need for theoretical triangulation in climate change studies.