STRUCTURAL SOCIAL CAPITAL OF PARENTS HAVING PERSONS WITH DISABILITY IN CHANDIGARH

Structural social capital is understood as maintenance of connections, immense trust, following of certain rules and fulfilling certain commitments. It is pertinent to improve quality of life. The present research aimed to study the structural social capital of parents having persons with disability living in Chandigarh. The descriptive survey method with convenient sampling technique was employed. Twenty-five parents of persons with disability (N=25) having age group 20 to 55 years were in the sample. The questionnaire comprised of six statements and each statement had sub-items with the options of yes and no. Results showed that parents having persons with disabilities hadgood network ties with relatives, neighbours and friends but a few parents having persons with disabilities did not have good bondings. Besides, majority did not participate in the activities such as social and cultural clubs, religious organisation, government schemes, local community function and political organisation.The authors recommend that support from government, non-government organisation and community to provide financial, moral and psychologicalhelp to families of PWD is important for healthy development of all individuals of society.