Relationships between Social Capital, Social Capital Satisfaction, Self-Esteem, and Depression among Elderly Urban Residents: Analysis of Secondary Survey Data

Abstract

The role that psychological variables play in depression among elderly urban residents has received little research attention. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between social capital, social capital satisfaction, self-esteem, and depression among elderly urban residents. We used the responses provided by 701 elderly persons to scales assessing social capital (i.e., network, trust), social capital satisfaction, self-esteem, and depression, as part of the Korea Welfare Panel Study (KOWEPS). We conducted a confirmatory factor analysis and tested the validity of a proposed statistical model using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results showed that trust in social capital, social capital satisfaction, and self-esteem were significantly related to depression. Further, social capital satisfaction and self-esteem fully and partially mediated the relationship between trust and depression, respectively. These findings serve as an empirical base upon which social welfare policies can be founded that benefit elderly urban residents with weak social capital, low social capital satisfaction, and poor self-esteem.

Association between social capital and depression among older people: evidence from Anhui Province, China

“…For instance, a study in Korea used trust and reciprocity to measure social capital and suggested that low trust and reciprocity levels were associated with depressive symptoms in older people [6]. Similarly, another study in Korea explored the relationship between social capital (measured with network and trust) and depression among urban older adults and found that trust in social capital was associated with depression, while network was not [14]. A study in China surveyed the association of social capital (assessed with trust, reciprocity, social network, and social participation) with depression among urban older people, and revealed that trust, reciprocity, and social network were significantly associated with depression while social participation was not [11].…”

Social-Demographic Correlates of the Mental Health Conditions among the Chinese Elderly

“…However, health is not only the absence of disease or pain; it is also the state of mental well-being. Previous studies have shown that mental illnesses such as anxiety [8], depression [9], schizophrenia [10], and emotional disorders [11,12] are becoming more and more serious. The Global Burden of Disease research reported that 20% of the population aged 60 years and over have psychological diseases, with anxiety and depression being the most common [13].…”

Association between social capital and depression among older people: evidence from Anhui Province, China

“…For instance, a study in Korea used trust and reciprocity to measure social capital and suggested that low trust and reciprocity levels were associated with depressive symptoms in older people [6]. Similarly, another study in Korea explored the relationship between social capital (measured with network and trust) and depression among urban older adults and found that trust in social capital was associated with depression, while network was not [14]. A study in China surveyed the association of social capital (assessed with trust, reciprocity, social network, and social participation) with depression among urban older people, and revealed that trust, reciprocity, and social network were signi cantly associated with depression while social participation was not [11].…”