Socio-Cultural Strategy

Socio-Cultural Strategy

Investigating the strategic variable of social capital and its relationship with the national identity of youth with an approach to the vision document of the future Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Associate Prof. of Sociology, Sociology and Social Planning Department, College of Economics, Management and Social Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
2 Sociology and Social Planning Department, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran. Po Box: 7194685111.
10.22034/scs.2026.495776.1640
Abstract
The concept of social capital is a strategic concept that refers to the connections in human community. This research aimed to investigate the relationship between national identity and social capital of college students with an approach to the vision document of the future Iran. Using quantitative approach, survey method and structured questionnaire, its statistical population was college students of the faculties of humanities at Shiraz University in 2023-2024 semester. Using the Lin sampling table, 360 students were determined as the sample size and were selected using a random cluster sampling method. Face validity and Cronbach's alpha coefficient were used, for evaluation of validity and reliability of questionnaire, respectively. The findings showed that the mean of social capital was lower than the expected average and their mean of national identity was higher than the expected mean. The results show that there was a positive and significant relationship between national identity and social capital. There was also a significant difference between social capital according to field of study. Students in fields related to social interaction and behavior (educational sciences) had more social capital. There was no significant difference between social capital according to gender and ethnicity. Multiple regression showed that the independent variables were able to explain nearly 15% of the changes in the dependent variable.
Keywords
Subjects

Azkia, M. & Ghaffari, G. R. (2004). Rural Development, with an emphasis on Iran's rural society. Tehran: Nashr-e Ney. (In Persian).
Barzegari, A., Elmi, M. (2016). The evaluation of the identity status and social capital among Tabriz Azad University students. Sociological studies, (In Persian).
Belbasi, M. and Bagheri, Y. (2020). The Origins of National Identity Genesis; Paradigms and Approaches. Epistemological studies in Islamic University,  (In Persian).
Bourdieu, P. (2002). Theory of Action, Practical Reasons, and Rational Choice. Translated by: M. Mardiha. Tehran: Naghsh o Negar. (In Persian).
Bourdieu, P. (2006). Forms of capital. In K. Tajbakhsh (Ed.), Social Capital, Trust and Democracy. Translared by: H. Pouyan & A. Khakbaz. Tehran: Shirazeh. (In Persian).
Coleman, J. (1998). Foundations of Social Theory. Translated by: M. Sabouri. Tehran: Nashr-e Ney. (In Persian).
Coleman, J. (2006). The role of social capital in creating human capital. In K. Tajbakhsh (Ed.), Social Capital, Trust and Democracy. Translared by: H. Pouyan & A. Khakbaz. Tehran: Shirazeh. (In Persian).
Dehghan,M, Rahmani Firozjah,A and Abbasi asfajir,A. (2019). Study on the Relationship between Perceptions of Corruption and Social Capital (Case study: urban population of Mazandaran province). Socio-Cultural Strategy,  (In Persian).
Ebrahimpour, D., Tavasoli, G. (2012). Mass Media, Social Identification and Students’ Social Capital, Journal of Sociology Studies,  (In Persian).
Field, J. (2009). Social capital. Translated by: Gh. R. Ghaffari & H. Ramezani. Tehran: Kavir. (In Persian).
Fukuyama, F. (2000). The end of order, social capital and its preservation. Translated by: Gh. A. Tavassoli. Tehran: Jameʻeh-ye Iraniyan. (In Persian).
Fukuyama, F. (2006). Social capital and civil society. In K. Tajbakhsh (Ed.), Social Capital, Trust and Democracy. Translared by: H. Pouyan & A. Khakbaz. Tehran: Shirazeh. (In Persian).
Ghanbari Barzian, A. (2024). Arbaeen walking rituals and its effect on the strength of national identity in the Arabic-speaking society of Khuzestan (a data-based theory). Socio-Cultural Strategy,(In Persian).
Giddens, A. (2004). Modernity and Self-Identity: Self and Society in the Late Modern Age. Translated by: N. Movaffaqian. Tehran: Ney. (In Persian).
Goudarzi, H. (2002). Fundamental concepts in ethnic studies. Tehran: Tamaddon-e Irani. (In Persian).
Hajiani,I. (2000). Issues regarding the National Identity: The semantics of national identity. National Studies Journal, 2(5), 193-228. (In Persian).
Iman, M. T., & Ruhani, A. (2012). Media Consumption and Youth Social Identity (Case Study: Shiraz University Students), Journal of Social Development. (In Persian).
Jahangiri, J. and Moeini, M. (2011). Studying the Relationship between Social Capital and National Identity; Case of study: Shiraz University Students. Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Journal of Social Sciences. (In Persian).
Javaheri, F. (2021). A critical analysis of national surveys in Iran. Tehran: Research Institute of Culture, Art and Communications Publications. (In Persian).
Jenkins, R. (2002). Social identity. Translated by: Yaraḥmadi. Tehran: Shirazeh. (In Persian).
Lin, N. (1976). Foundation of social Research. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Liu, Y. & Ngai, S. S. Y. (2020). Social capital, self-efficacy, and healthy identity development among Chinese adolescents with and without economic disadvantages. Journal of child and family studies.
Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. (2015). National Survey of Iranian Values and Attitudes (Third Wave). Tehran: National Projects Office of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. (In Persian).
Mirfardi, A. and Valinezhad, A. (2017). The Role of Gender Differences in National Identity Dimensions: The Case of Study; Yasouj University Students. National Studies Journal,  (In Persian).
Mirfardi, A. and Valinezhad, A. (2018). Socio-Strategic Analysis of the Relationship between National Identity and Social Capital of Students in Yasouj University. Social Capital Management, 5(1), 67-90. (In Persian).
Mirfardi, A., Salamatian, D. (2024). Investigating the relationship between social capital and environmental behavior of Shiraz residents. Urban Sociological Studies, 14(50), 25-52. (In Persian).
Mirfardi,A and Salamatian,D. (2024). The Relationship between National Identity and Social Responsibility with the Environmental Concern of Shiraz University Students. National Studies Journal, 25(100), 7-26. (In Persian).
Mishra, S. (2020). Social networks, social capital, social support and academic success in higher education: A systematic review with a special focus on ‘underrepresented’ students. Educational Research Review.
Nahapiet, J., & Ghoshal, S. (1998). Social capital, intellectual capital, and the organizational advantage. Academy of management review.
Nazoktabar, H, Mollania Jelodar,.S, Malekpour Jonaghani, L and Malmir, M. (2023). Analysis of the Relationship between Social Capital and National Identity of Women Aged 18 to 50 Living in Shahrekord. National Studies Journal, 24(93), 131-153. (In Persian).
Putnam, R. (2006). The prosperous community, social capital and public life. In K. Tajbakhsh (Ed.), Social Capital, Trust and Democracy. Translared by: H. Pouyan & A. Khakbaz. Tehran: Shirazeh. (In Persian).
Putnam, R. (2013). Democracy and Civic Traditions. Translated by: M. T. Delforooz,. Tehran: Jame'eh Shenasan. (In Persian).
Putnam, R. D. (1994). Social capital and public affairs. Bulletin of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 5-19.‌
Putnam, R. D. (2000). Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster.‌
Putnam, R. D. (Ed.). (2002). Democracies in flux: The evolution of social capital in contemporary society. Oxford University Press.
Rahe, M. L., Van Leuven, A. J., & Malone, T. (2025). Leveraging social ties to financial gains: Exploring the impact of social capital in rural development. Journal of Rural Studies.
Rastegar Khaled, A., Salmani Bidgoli, M and Pakideh Delshad, H., (2016). Investigating the Relationship between Social Capital and National Identity in Kermanshah and Javanrood Cities. National Studies Journal, 17(65), 133-144. (In Persian).
Reeskens, T. & Wright, M. (2013). Nationalism and the cohesive society: A multilevel analysis of the interplay among diversity, national identity, and social capital across 27 European societies. Comparative Political Studies.
Shirdel, E., Hami Kargar, F and Anjomshoa, F. (2021). The Relationship between Social Capital and Lifestyle with the National Identity of Teenage Girls in Kerman City. National Studies Journal, . doi:10.22034/rjnsq.2021.132255. (In Persian).
Smith, A. (2004). The ethnic sources of nationalism. Translated by: M. Anṣari. Tehran: Muʼassaseh-ye Moṭāleʻāt-e Melli. (In Persian).
Taghi malekhosseyni, M., Naeimi, M. and Dehdi Naderi, M. (2014). The Investigation of the Relationship between National Identity and Social Capital among the Frontiersmen of Golestan Province (Case Study: Maraveh Tappeh City). journal of border studies, 1(2), 39-68. (In Persian).
Tavassoli, G. A. (1992). Sociological theories. Tehran: Samt. (In Persian).
Verinumbe, T., Ponce, A. N., Lee, G. Y., Kumtap, U., Lesko, C. R., Burnett, M., ... & Falade-Nwulia, O. (2025). The association between social capital and drug overdose mortality in the United States. International Journal of Drug Policy, 139, 104766.‌
Wong, T. A., Tan, K. T. L., Darmaraj, S. R., Loo, J. T. K., & Ng, A. H. H. (2025). Social capital development in online education and its impact on academic performance and satisfaction. Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, 15(1), 205-221.
Zahiri, A. (2005). The nature of national identity. Political Science, 8(issue 29). (In Persian).

Supplementary File

  • Receive Date 15 May 2025
  • Revise Date 01 August 2026
  • Accept Date 02 August 2026