The authors examine how the construct social capital is explicated and measured by communication scholars in contemporary research and argue that linkages between concepts and measures are not always clear and operationalizations of social capital are far from uniform in empirical studies. The authors also note that the measures of social capital fall along 2 dimensions: a static–dynamic continuum and an informal–formal path, which are largely ignored. The authors challenge communication scholars to reexamine the theoretical underpinnings of social capital research articulated by Pierre Bourdieu and James S. Coleman and to reconsider how the role and functions of communication might drive social capital.

Connectedness among older people is essential for healthy communities, especially among rural populations where limited social interaction and associated health effects may be cause for concern. In this qualitative descriptive study, we explored older rural people's perception of connectedness through a communication application. The study assessed 10 participants (mean age = 76.2 years) living in rural Japan who regularly participated in a senior citizens' club. From July 2019 to January 2020, the participants used a social media application developed by our research team to meet the needs of older people. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted. Six themes representing older rural people's perception of connectedness were identified: (1) thoughtful consideration for members strengthened even without them meeting face‐to‐face, (2) encouragement received from familiar members, (3) joy in sharing daily routine with neighbors, (4) courage to advance through face‐to‐face interaction, (5) willingness to continue club membership, and (6) fear of disrupting club's harmony. Participants who used the application felt compensated for the lack of social interaction opportunities in rural settings and strengthened their existing relationships.

Background We developed a program that encourages interaction among older people living at home by combining face‐to‐face and online activities and examined its effects on older adults' psychosocial health. Methods In this mixed‐methods study, we recruited 11 women and 6 men (Mage = 79.5 ± 6.4 years), who lived in a rural community and participated in a senior citizen club. The intervention was conducted for 13 months, comprising monthly face‐to‐face group and social media activities. For the program process evaluation, we collected focus‐group interview data on participants' perceptions of their personal lives, club membership, and community post‐intervention. For the outcome evaluation, we collected six outcome measures pre‐ and post‐intervention: loneliness, subjective health, subjective well‐being, self‐esteem, social support and social activity satisfaction. Finally, through the integration of the process‐outcome evaluation, we inferred what effects the program had on participants' psychosocial health. Results In the process evaluation, we identified four themes: ‘Stimulation brought about by relationships with peers,’ ‘Realization as to where they feel they belong,’ ‘Rethinking of oneself in the community,’ and ‘Awareness of attachment to and coexistence with the community.’ In the outcome evaluation, the outcome measures were maintained without significant decline post‐intervention. Conclusion Through the integration of the process‐outcome evaluation, we deduced three effects of the program on psychosocial health: (1) fulfilment of subjective health, (2) maintenance and assurance of moderate distance connectedness and (3) orientation toward aging in place. Implications for practice This study offers a promising opportunity for further development and research into community‐based preventive nursing care intervention strategies to maintain the psychosocial health of homebound older people in communities with social activity groups.