Social Class, Socioeconomic Status, and Stratification (10A) Practice Test

A longitudinal study followed 1,200 individuals from age 18 to 35 and classified them by intergenerational social mobility. Researchers measured allostatic load (a composite of blood pressure, waist circumference, and inflammatory markers) at age 35. Participants who experienced upward mobility (moving from low parental SES to higher adult SES) reported increased work hours and fewer close relationships during their transition.

Allostatic load at age 35 (mean index, higher = worse):

• Stable high SES: 1.8
• Upwardly mobile: 2.3
• Stable low SES: 2.7
• Downwardly mobile: 2.9

How does social mobility affect health in this scenario, according to the data?

A clinic compared two neighborhoods with similar median household income but different levels of social capital (measured by reported trust in neighbors, participation in local groups, and ability to borrow small amounts of money in emergencies). In Neighborhood A (higher social capital), 62% of adults reported having someone who could drive them to appointments; in Neighborhood B (lower social capital), 38% reported this. Missed appointment rates were 9% in A and 18% in B. The clinic noted that both neighborhoods had the same number of primary care physicians per 10,000 residents.

Based on the concept of social capital, which statement best explains the health-related difference between the neighborhoods?