The Role of Social Capital in Enhancing Community Resilience: A Comparative Study of Flood-Prone Urban Areas within Social-Ecological Systems. A case study of Asaba and Okpanam, Delta State.
Abstract
The function of social capital in building community resilience in flood-prone metropolitan regions is compared in this study, specifically examining Asaba and Okpanam in Delta State, Nigeria, as distinct social-ecological systems. Employing a robust quantitative research design, data were collected from a total sample of 398 households (199 from each location) using a structured questionnaire. The research posited that disparities in social capital, including networks, trust, and collective action, substantially affect community adaptive and transformational capacity in response to repeated floods. Statistical analysis, chiefly employing independent t-tests, ANOVA, and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) via AMOS 28.0, indicated substantial disparities in social capital and resilience levels between the two groups. Asaba demonstrated higher bridging social capital and adaptive resilience (mean = 3.85, SD = 0.62) compared to Okpanam (mean = 3.21, SD = 0.58; t(396) = 10.5, p < 0.001). SEM analysis indicated that bonding social capital exerted a stronger direct effect on absorptive resilience in Okpanam (? = 0.49, p < 0.001), while bridging social capital was more critical for transformative resilience in Asaba (? = 0.55, p < 0.001). These findings underscore that the specific forms of social capital most effective in enhancing resilience vary depending on local socio-economic and environmental contexts. This comparative approach provides crucial insights for context-specific policy interventions aimed at strengthening community-based disaster risk reduction strategies and promoting sustainable urban development in vulnerable regions.
Keywords
Social Capital, Community Resilience, Flood-Prone Urban Areas, Social-Ecological Systems, Comparative Study
Citations
IRE Journals:
Prince Ike Onyemenam
"The Role of Social Capital in Enhancing Community Resilience: A Comparative Study of Flood-Prone Urban Areas within Social-Ecological Systems. A case study of Asaba and Okpanam, Delta State." Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 9 Issue 2 2025 Page 234-245
IEEE:
Prince Ike Onyemenam
"The Role of Social Capital in Enhancing Community Resilience: A Comparative Study of Flood-Prone Urban Areas within Social-Ecological Systems. A case study of Asaba and Okpanam, Delta State." Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 9(2)
About IRE Journals
IRE Journals is an open access online journals established with an aim to publish high quality of research work in various diciplines. We have more than 6 years in publications. Over 2500+ papers already published.
Important Links
For Authors
Volume 9:
Issue 1Volume 8:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12Volume 7:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12Volume 6:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12Volume 5:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12Volume 4:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12Volume 3:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12