Previous research has revealed that social capital is associated with the generation of better health and wellbeing. Since mental illness amongst young adults is an increasing phenomenon in Swedish society today and women are more affected than men it is important to elicit structures that build resilience towards mental ill-health. The aim of this study was to describe oung female students´ experiences of bonding- and bridging social capital formation, via their social conversations, in relation to wellbeing.

In this study social capital and bridging- and bonding social networks draws upon Putnams´ perspective.

Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted on students attending a middle-sized university in southern Sweden. These were subsequently analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The sample consisted of ten female students 20-25 years old. The results show that students acquired elements of both bonding and bridging social capital via their conversations. Bonding for social conversations was formed when giving and receiving emotional and tangible support regarding academic issues and when connecting to homogenous groups of people with similar norms and values. Bridging social capital was formed when students had practiced an outward looking approach that led to diverse conversational partners, thereby increasing their possibilities to act via access to diverse perspectives. They also accepted diverse norms and values that generated a reciprocal will to help fellow students beyond their closest relationships. This study suggests that universities have an important role in network-building for young female students and offer unique opportunities for influencing connectedness.