The association between food insecurity and social capital under the lockdowns in COVID-hit Shanghai

Abstract

As an emergency, food insecurity threatens people’s well-being, while social capital is expected to enhance their resilience in this situation. This study examined the relationship between food insecurity and social capital during the COVID-19 lockdowns in Shanghai. We collected a dataset of 1064 participants by random sampling. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse the dynamics of social capital before and after lockdowns. The results show that the level of post-lockdown social capital was higher than that of pre-lockdown social capital. Pre-lockdown social capital predicted the extent to which people suffered from food insecurity and their approaches to obtaining food. Participation in group purchases and food exchange with other residents predicted the levels of post-lockdown social capital. The results shed light on the interaction between emergencies and social capital. Our study theoretically contributes to understanding social capital through a dynamic perspective.

The causal configurations of provincial health policy innovation in China: an analysis of the food safety standard filing policy

“…Turning to the mechanism of public policy innovation, there is a need to analyze China's institutional context. Unlike Western democratic elections, China has its own bureaucratic system (60). Provincial officers work around the Western electoral system to win The empirical results of this study suggest that DOR and INP are fundamental determinants of endogenous innovation pathways, each of which represents a low level of regional case law and are less influenced by neighboring competition.…”

“…Turning to the mechanism of public policy innovation, there is a need to analyze China’s institutional context. Unlike Western democratic elections, China has its own bureaucratic system ( 60 ). Provincial officers work around the Western electoral system to win the support of voters and interest groups ( 61 ).…”