Disentangling the directions of associations between structural social capital and mental health: Longitudinal analyses of gender, civic engagement and depressive symptoms

2016 ◽  
Vol 163 ◽  
pp. 135-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelina Landstedt ◽  
Ylva B. Almquist ◽  
Malin Eriksson ◽  
Anne Hammarström
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Civic Engagement ◽  
Longitudinal Analyses ◽  
Structural Social Capital

scholarly journals Social Capital and Mental Health among Older Adults Living in Urban China in the Context of COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (21) ◽  
pp. 7947 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Sun ◽  
Nan Lu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Urban China ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Cognitive Social Capital ◽  
Structural Social Capital

Although social capital has been found to be an important social determinant of mental health in later life, research on social capital in the context of COVID-19 and the interplay among subdimensions of social capital is lacking. The present study examined the mediating role of cognitive social capital on the relationship between structural social capital and mental health among older adults in urban China in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected from the Yangpu district in Shanghai, China, in July–August 2020. A quota sampling approach was used to recruit 472 respondents aged 60 years and older from 23 communities in the Yangpu district. Mental health was measured by depressive symptoms and life satisfaction. Cognitive social capital was assessed through trust and reciprocity, and structural social capital was assessed through organization memberships, and COVID-19 related volunteering and citizenship activity. Structural equation modeling was used to test the mediation model. The results show that cognitive social capital had a full mediation effect on the association between structural social capital and mental health indicators (life satisfaction: b = 0.122, SD = 0.029, p < 0.001; depressive symptoms: b = −0.343, SD = 0.119, p < 0.01). The findings indicate that social capital can play an important role in sustaining and improving mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Policy and intervention implications are discussed.

scholarly journals Internet Use and Depressive Symptoms Among Chinese Older Adults: The Mediation and Suppression Effects of Social Capital

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiyi Li ◽  
Mengyao Yang
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Adult Children ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Cognitive Social Capital ◽  
Structural Social Capital

Exploring the social factors of mental health among older adults has become a hot topic. This study aimed to examine the relationships between internet use, social capital and depressive symptoms in older adults. Our data were derived from a sample of 6,840 respondents aged 60 and over in the 2018 wave of the China Family Panel Studies. The ordinary least square (OLS) regression results showed that both Internet use characteristics (including access, emotional activities, and online time) and social capital components (including contact with adult children and trust) were protective factors for the prevention of depressive symptoms among older adults. The generalized structural equation modeling (GSEM) results displayed that Internet use not only had a negatively direct effect on depressive symptoms, but also generated a negatively indirect effect on depressive symptoms by structural social capital (i.e., contact with adult children), suggesting that structural social capital mediated the above link. Conversely, the indirect effects of internet use on depressive symptoms via cognitive social capital (i.e., interpersonal trust and institutional trust) were significantly positive, indicating that the relationship between Internet use and depressive symptoms was suppressed by cognitive social capital. These findings address the gaps in previous research on older adults' mental health and have practical implications for policy makers.

scholarly journals Association of Structural Social Capital and Self-Reported Well-Being among Japanese Community-Dwelling Adults: A Longitudinal Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (16) ◽  
pp. 8284
Author(s):  
Kazuya Nogi ◽  
Haruhiko Imamura ◽  
Keiko Asakura ◽  
Yuji Nishiwaki
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Relative Risk ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Adjusted Relative Risk ◽  
Community Activities ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Structural Social Capital

Previous studies have shown both positive and non-positive associations between social capital and health. However, longitudinal evidence examining its comprehensive effects on well-being is still limited. This study examined whether structural social capital in the local community was related to the later well-being of Japanese people aged 40 or above. A 3.6-year longitudinal study was conducted in a rural Japanese town. “Well-being” was measured using three indicators (happiness, self-rated health, and depressive symptoms), and those who were high in well-being in the baseline 2015 survey and responded to the follow-up 2018 survey were analyzed (n = 1032 for happiness, 938 for self-rated health, and 471 for depressive symptoms). Multilevel Poisson regression analysis adjusted for covariates showed that having contact with fewer neighbors was associated with a decline in happiness at both the community level (adjusted relative risk = 1.64, 95% confidence interval = 1.20–1.63) and the individual level (adjusted relative risk = 1.51, 95% confidence interval = 1.05–2.17), but participation in local community activities was not. The results suggest that dense personal networks might be more important in areas with thriving local community activities, not only for individuals but also for all community members.

scholarly journals Impacts of Social Capital Factors on Blood Glucose Control and Depressive Symptoms

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 629-629
Author(s):  
Tingzhong (Michelle) Xue ◽  
Zahra Rahmaty ◽  
Eleanor McConnell ◽  
Yingzhi (Lindsay) Xu ◽  
Kirsten Corazzini
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Blood Glucose ◽  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Access To Care ◽  
Glucose Control ◽  
Blood Glucose Control ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Cognitive Social Capital ◽  
Structural Social Capital

Abstract Social capital, conceptualized as resources arising from social networks, is receiving increased attention for its role in prevention and management of chronic conditions such as diabetes and depression that commonly co-occur. Although social capital has been linked to control of blood glucose and depression, previous research has not considered these two outcomes simultaneously while distinguishing between cognitive (i.e., perceived social support, shared values and trust in community) and structural (i.e., social connectedness and participation) domains. This study examined how these two domains of social capital relate to glucose control and depressive symptoms, and whether physical exercise and care access mediate those relationships, using structural equation modeling. The sample included 3,043 older adults aged 57 and above from wave 2 of the National Social Life, Health and Aging Project. Although a higher level of cognitive social capital was associated with higher levels of physical exercise (b=.38, p&lt;.001), access to care (b=.40, p=.007), lower levels of blood glucose (b=-.43, p&lt;.001) and depressive symptoms (b=-.84, p&lt;.001), a higher level of structural social capital was associated only with a higher level of physical exercise (b=.16, p=.002). The mediating effects of physical exercise and access to care were not significant. Findings suggest that cognitive social capital may have greater influence on blood glucose and depressive symptoms than structural social capital, and therefore have different implications for practice, especially in the context of pandemic-related disruptions to social capital. Future research should examine other mediators and investigate how promotion of cognitive social capital might improve health outcomes.

Social capital, perceived neighborhood environment, and depressive symptoms among older adults in rural China: the role of self-rated health

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Nan Lu ◽  
Bei Wu ◽  
Yaolin Pei ◽  
Changmin Peng
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Rural China ◽  
Neighborhood Environment ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Cognitive Social Capital ◽  
Structural Social Capital ◽  
Perceived Neighborhood Environment

ABSTRACT Objectives: This study examined the relationships between social capital, perceived neighborhood environment, and depressive symptoms among older adults living in rural China, and the moderating effect of self-rated health (SRH) in these relationships. Participants: A quota sampling method was applied to recruit 447 participants aged 60 years and older in rural communities in Jilin province, China in 2019. Measurements: Depressive symptoms were measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Structural equation modeling was used to build latent constructs of social capital and test the proposed model. Multiple group analysis was used to test the moderation effects. Results: Cognitive social capital and structural social capital were both associated with depressive symptoms controlling for participants’ demographics, socioeconomic status, and health status. After adding perceived environment variables in the model, the relationship between cognitive social capital and depressive symptoms became nonsignificant, while structural social capital remained became a significant factor (β = −.168, p < .01). Satisfaction with health care was significantly associated with depressive symptoms among those with poor SRH (β = −.272, p < .01), whereas satisfaction with security and transportation were strongly associated with depressive symptoms among those with good SRH (security: β = −.148, p < .01; transportation: β = −.174, p < .01). Conclusions: Study findings highlighted the importance of social capital and neighborhood environment as potential protective factors of depressive symptoms in later life. Policy and intervention implications were also discussed.

Structural social capital and mental health: a panel study

2019 ◽  
Vol 52 (19) ◽  
pp. 2079-2095
Author(s):  
Damiano Fiorillo ◽  
Giuseppe Lubrano Lavadera ◽  
Nunzia Nappo
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Panel Study ◽  
Structural Social Capital

scholarly journals Social Capital and Health in the Oldest Old

2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fredrica Nyqvist ◽  
Janna Gustavsson ◽  
Yngve Gustafsson
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Functional Ability ◽  
Oldest Old ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Principal Component Factor Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Structural Social Capital

The aim of this study was to measure social capital in the oldest old, and its association with different dimensions of health. The Umeå 85+ study is a cross-sectional study of 253 people, aged 85 years, 90 years and 95 years or older. A principal component factor analysis was performed to assess classes of information measuring the structural and the cognitive components of social capital on an individual level. In the final model, one factor consisting of attachment, social integration and social network emerged which accounted for 55 per cent of the total variance. We analysed the association between structural social capital and various dimensions of health such as depressive symptoms, functional ability and self-rated health. This study suggests that structural social capital may partially explain depressive symptoms but not functional ability or self-rated health. We conclude that social capital is a relevant resource for the oldest old, but we suggest a different approach when measuring social capital in this age group, such as conducting a longitudinal study or including retrospective questions in the study. The oldest old may have had a high level of social capital, but our study could not identify this statistically.

scholarly journals Did States With More Social Capital Pre-pandemic Offer Mental Health Protection During the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Cross-sectional View

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Nichols Dauner ◽  
Neil A. Wilmot
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Civic Engagement ◽  
Social Trust ◽  
State Level ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Policies And Programs

Abstract Background: Mental health has declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, and social capital, as a determinant of health, may serve to buffer those declines. Methods: Building from this, we assessed whether pre-pandemic social capital, which included indicators of social trust, civic participation, and the presence of mask mandates affected pandemic mental health, measured as the percent of the population experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety at the state level. Results: Generalized social trust and state mask mandates were significantly associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety. Conversely, states with greater civic engagement prior to the pandemic experienced more anxiety and depression.Conclusions: Findings suggest that existing social capital, particularly social trust, may protect against anxiety and depression and contribute to community resilience during times of adversity. States should invest in policies and programs that increase social trust.

scholarly journals An empirical analysis of the impact of income inequality and social capital on physical and mental health - take China’s micro-database analysis as an example

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanyuan He ◽  
Lulin Zhou ◽  
Junshan Li ◽  
Jun Wu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Income Inequality ◽  
Empirical Analysis ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Cognitive Social Capital ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Structural Social Capital

Abstract Background Income inequality is one of the important reflections of the unbalanced development of the world economy and can have adverse effects on physical and mental health. Methods This article used the 2018 China Family Panel Studies Database as an empirical analysis data source. The Kakwani index (KI) was used to measure income inequality, and social capital was broken into cognitive social capital and structural social capital. Our assessment was conducted by using STATA16 software for ordered logistic regression, verifying income inequality, social capital on correlation between physical and mental health firstly; then by gradual regression methods to verify intermediary effect, and demonstrate the social capital as an intermediary variable affecting physical and mental health as income inequality. Result The income inequality has a significant negative effect on physical and mental health (β = − 0.964, − 0.381; OR = 0.382, 0.758; P < 0.01), Social capital has a significant effect on physical and mental health (Cognitive SC(MH): β = 0.146 and 0.104, OR = 1.157 and 1.110, P < 0.01; Cognitive SC(PH): β = 0.046 and 0.069, OR = 1.047 and 1.071, P < 0.01; Structural SC(MH): β = − 0.005, 0.025 and 0.015, OR = 0.995, 1.025 and 1.015, P > 0.1, P < 0.01 and P < 0.01; Structural SC(PH): β = − 0.026, 0.009 and − 0.013, OR = 0.975, 1.009 and 0.987, P < 0.01, P > 0.1 and P < 0.01). Our analysis also showed that social capital (cognitive social capital and structural social capital) has an intermediary effect on physical and mental health due to income inequality. Conclusion This study shows that income inequality can not only directly affect physical and mental health, but also through social capital intermediary utility indirectly affect physical and mental health, social capital has positive effects on physical and mental health. At the same time, income inequality and social capital’s effects on physical and mental health exist regional differences, urban-rural differences, and gender differences. Therefore, in the development of special policies to support and take care of vulnerable groups, special attention needs to be paid to poor rural areas and female groups.

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