Caregiving e capitale sociale: una riflessione polisemica

This essay offers a theoretical reflection on two sociologically interesting themes that are not commonly connected: on the one hand, the process of caregiving and, on the other, the relational outcome of this process, identified through the concept of social capital. A first common element between these two concepts is the presence of relational contexts. The networks of relationships constitute the perimeter within which actions take place—actions that generate what circulates within those same relationships, in terms of help and support (in the case of caregiving), and in terms of added value (in the case of social capital). The theme of caregiving fits within the broader reflective and interpretive context of social support, which refers to multiple forms of support (physical-psychological, emotional, instrumental, relational) and which generally takes place within social networks. Analytically, caregiving is a process that unfolds over time, requires the involvement of multiple individuals, and is capable of generating outcomes on various levels: micro (the individual), meso (within groups such as family networks or professional teams), and macro (within broader social contexts). Social capital is identified as a multidimensional relational factor, consisting of networks of trust-based, reciprocal, and cooperative relationships that highlight a specific intersubjective and cultural significance.