Guizhou University of Commerce, China.
Guizhou University of Commerce, China.
School of Government, College of Law, Government and International Studies, Universiti Utara Malaysia 06010 UUM Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia.
Social capital is widely recognized as a critical resource for understanding the well-being of individuals and communities. Although a vast body of scholarly literature focuses on the well-being of employees, students, and the elderly, the well-being of farmers has not been as extensively studied. Drawing upon Putnam's theory, this study empirically examines how Bonding Social Capital (BOC) and Bridging Social Capital (BRC) influence the well-being of farmers. It specifically explores the role of self-efficacy as a mediator in these relationships to fill the existing research gap. A combination of convenience and random sampling methods was used to collect 443 questionnaires. The primary data analysis was conducted using SPSS and PLS-SEM. The analysis revealed a strong positive relationship between BOC and farmers' well-being. In contrast, BRC did not show a significant correlation. Moreover, self-efficacy significantly mediates the relationship between social capital and the overall well-being of farmers. The findings indicate that while fostering BOC is crucial, farmers should also recognize and utilize the potential benefits of BRC to enhance their well-being. Promoting awareness among farmers and supporting the development and maintenance of BRC are valuable strategies for practitioners working in rural communities.
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