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

Author(s):  
Kazuya Nogi ◽  
Haruhiko Imamura ◽  
Keiko Asakura ◽  
Yuji Nishiwaki

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.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Nan Lu ◽  
Bei Wu ◽  
Yaolin Pei ◽  
Changmin Peng

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.


2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fredrica Nyqvist ◽  
Janna Gustavsson ◽  
Yngve Gustafsson

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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S847-S847
Author(s):  
Kyle A Carr

Abstract This study examined the association between the two dimensions of social capital, structural and cognitive, and depression, as well as investigating their within- and between-effects. Using the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, I applied a multi-level 2-wave longitudinal analysis, over a 7-year period, to examine these two dimensions of social capital influence on individual’s depressive symptoms at both the between- and within person levels. Results suggest both dimensions of social capital are negatively related with levels of depressive symptoms for individuals. The within-person changes for both self-efficacy and sense of belonging were larger than the estimates of between-effects, while trust and structural social capital effects were equal. These findings add to the growing body of literature examining depressive symptoms in late life, while also providing evidence for policymakers to hone in on key areas that can address depressive symptoms with social capital interventions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 369-369
Author(s):  
Kyle Carr

Abstract Late-life depression is a significant public health problem among the growing elderly population in the United States. Structural social capital has previously been associated with lowering depressive symptoms in later life, but these results have been inconsistent. However, few studies have investigated this association when investigating different subtypes of depression. The current study used data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS) of 3,197 respondents to examine how structural social capital influences baseline depression statuses and transitions in these depression statuses. Latent class and latent transition analysis (LCA/LTA) were used to identify latent statuses at two time points in the WLS – 1992 and 2011 – as well as transitions between those statuses. Four depression statuses were identified at both time points: Very Depressed, Depressed and Lonely, Agitated and Restless, and Not Depressed. Gender, self-rated health, total assets, structural social capital measures, and polygenic score for depression were all predictors of baseline depression statuses. Transitions between depression statuses were associated with two forms of structural social capital – social support and social involvement. These findings add to the increasing number of studies investigating subtypes of depression in older adults as well as to scholars examining the association between structural social capital and depressive symptoms. Results suggest possible social and behavioral factors policymakers can use to identify risk of depression in mid-life and areas of intervention to improve depressive symptoms for aging adults.


Author(s):  
Yuval Paldi ◽  
Daniel S. Moran ◽  
Orna Baron-Epel ◽  
Shiran Bord ◽  
Riki Tesler

The Israeli Mamanet Cachibol League (MCL) serves as a community model that incorporates physical activity and amateur team sports among women. Team sports have been shown to bridge gaps and build positive relationships between communities. There is a paucity of data regarding the advantages of team sports to promote the health and well-being of women from different ethnic backgrounds. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of participation in MCL with social capital, health, and well-being across two ethnic groups: Jewish and Arab women. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among women aged 25–64: 102 Jewish and 96 Arab MCL participants, and 102 Jewish and 81 Arab non-MCL participants. Data regarding social capital (trust, social support and social involvement) and well-being (self-reported health and psychosomatic and depressive symptoms) were analyzed using two-way analyses of covariance and multiple regression models with sequential entry of the variables. MCL participants from both ethnic groups reported higher social capital (p < 0.001), better self-reported health (p < 0.001), and lower psychosomatic symptoms (p < 0.001) compared to non-participants. Jewish MCL participants reported lower depressive symptoms (p < 0.001) than non-participants, however no difference was found between Arab MCL participants and non-participants (p < 0.160). Amateur team sports such as MCL are related with higher levels of well-being and social capital. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies that examine the change in social capital and well-being over time.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 754-761
Author(s):  
Parineeta Jindal ◽  
◽  
Anuradha Sharma ◽  

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.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. e030056 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gwen S Fernandes ◽  
Sanjay M Parekh ◽  
Jonathan Moses ◽  
Colin W Fuller ◽  
Brigitte Scammell ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and general health of male ex-professional footballers compared with general population controls.Methods572 retired professional footballers and 500 general population controls in the UK were assessed by postal questionnaire. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and a threshold score of ≥11 was used to indicate probable caseness. General health was ascertained using the Short Form-12 Health Survey Questionnaire quality of life (QoL) tool; self-reported comorbidities, analgesic usage and body pain; and Index of Multiple Deprivation based on postcode data. Mood was assessed using the Positive and Negative Affect Scale and sleep using the Medical Outcome Survey. Linear regression analysis was used to determine adjusted relative risk with 95% CI and adjusted for age, body mass index, comorbidities, body pain and medication usage.ResultsThe prevalence of depressive symptoms in retired professional footballers was 5.66% compared with 5.76% in the general population and anxiety prevalence was also comparable (12.01% vs 10.29%; all p>0.05). However, footballers had lower physical and mental component scores compared with controls (p<0.01). They also reported significantly more sleep problems, more negative mood profiles and more widespread body pain (adjusted relative risk (aRR) 1.88, 95% CI 1.15 to 3.09). They also reported greater pain medication usage compared with controls (aRR 1.54, 95% CI 1.26 to 1.89). However, compared with controls, they were 26% (95% CI 15% to 37%) less likely to report comorbidities, especially heart attacks (aRR 57%, 95% CI 27% to 74%) and diabetes (aRR 61%, 95% CI 37% to 76%).ConclusionsThe prevalence of depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms and probable caseness in ex-professional footballers is comparable with general population controls. However, ex-footballers reported lower health-related QoL, more widespread body pain and higher analgesic usage. Conversely, lower reporting of diabetes and heart attacks indicates potential long-term physical health benefits of professional football.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S576-S576
Author(s):  
Haena Lee ◽  
Markus H Schafer

Abstract Considerable work has documented that positive childhood memories, especially childhood happiness, predict better health among young adults. However, it is not known whether growing up happy has enduring health consequences across the life course. Using two waves of the National Social Life, Health and Aging Project (2010-2011 and 2015-2016; N = 1,937), we investigate the relationship between childhood happiness and changes in physical, mental, and biological functioning in later life. Childhood happiness was retrospectively assessed using a question: “When I was growing up, my family life was always happy.” Self-rated health, depressive symptoms, and frailty over a five-year period were examined to reflect changes in functional status. Childhood SES and living arrangement were examined to assess childhood sociodemographic background. Educational attainment, family support and strain, and self-mastery were considered as potential mediators. We find that, among other childhood factors, childhood happiness significantly predicts older adult health. Specifically, childhood happiness was associated with better self-rated health and lower depressive symptoms at follow-up, net of baseline health conditions. We did not find a relationship between frailty and childhood happiness. Unlike prior work, we found no significant effect of childhood SES on the measured outcomes. Associations between childhood happiness and self-rated health and depression were mediated by psychosocial resources including self-mastery and perceived social support from family members. This implies that growing up in nurturing, cherished family environment has the potential to cultivate social relationships and build resilience which could provide an important pathway to successful aging.


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