Social Capital and Mental Health among Household Head Women Surveying the Relationship in the City of Kerman

Mental health is an important aspect of wellbeing and general health. Today woman-headed families are increasing in number worldwide as it is the case in Iran. These household head women undergo special life experiences; thus experiencing particular mental health situations as well. The aim of this survey is to study mental health of women who are heading the family and are supported by the Welfare Organization of the city of Kerman, nationally known as ‘behzisty’. Some sociological concepts such as social capital and social networks are used here. The functions of these concepts are also looked at and discussed. The sample volume is 325 women heading households who are currently supported by the Welfare Organization. The main data gathering tool was a twofold constructed questionnaire which was accompanied by the interview. The results indicated that about 44% of women suffered unsuitable mental health. The variables such as age, social trust, social communication, sense of belonging, social capital, and size of social network, as well as frequency of meeting network members had strong relationships with mental health. The regression analysis showed economic, emotional, service supports and social communication/participation were among the most important variables for explaining mental health. Therefore, the network’s social capital, particularly taken in its functional aspect, is considered to be more explanatory vis-à-vis mental heath, than the general social capital.